Noor Garden“Actions and Intentions” – Hadith for Kids
Intentions · Ages 5–11
This hadith teaches children that Allah looks at the reason inside our hearts. When we help, share, or pray because we want to please Allah, even small actions become big good deeds. If we do something only to show off, we lose that reward. A good intention turns everyday actions into worship.
The hadith
إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى
(part of a longer hadith)
Actions are judged by their intentions, and everyone will get what they intended.
Narrated by: Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him)
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1; Sahih Muslim 1907; Nawawi's 40 Hadith #1
Grade: Sahih (agreed upon)
What it teaches
Allah looks at what is in our hearts. When we do good things to please Allah, we get a big reward.
A little story to help understand it
This is an illustrative example we wrote to explain the meaning. It is not part of the hadith.
Yusuf and his sister Maryam both helped set the table for dinner. Yusuf rushed so that his cousins would see him and say how helpful he was. Maryam quietly said in her heart, "I am doing this for Allah, to make Mama happy." Later, Mama explained that both of them did a good job, but Maryam's quiet intention made her small job something Allah rewards. The next day Yusuf tried it too. Before carrying the plates, he whispered "for Allah" in his heart, and he felt calm and happy, even though nobody was watching.
Try it today
Before you help at home today, say in your heart: "I'm doing this to please Allah."
Mini quiz
What makes a good deed count the most with Allah?
- Doing it so people praise you
- Doing it with a good intention for Allah
- Doing it very fast
Show the answer
Answer: Doing it with a good intention for Allah (B)
Questions parents ask
Is this hadith authentic?
Yes. It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 1; Sahih Muslim 1907; Nawawi's 40 Hadith #1. Grade: Sahih (agreed upon). It was narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). The words shown here are part of a longer hadith.
How can kids practice it?
Before you help at home today, say in your heart: "I'm doing this to please Allah." Make a family habit of asking, "Why am I doing this?" before homework, chores, or helping a friend, and choose a good answer.
Why is this hadith often taught first?
Because every good deed depends on its intention. Imam al-Bukhari placed it first in his Sahih, and Imam an-Nawawi placed it first in his Forty Hadith, so that learners start by checking their hearts.
More hadith to learn
Last reviewed: 2026-10-09 · Sources & Method