The verse continues. The evidence that ability—in terms of physical health and the necessary financial means—is a valid condition for this obligation is His saying, Mighty and Majestic:
“There is no blame upon the weak, nor upon the sick, nor upon those who cannot find the means to spend, provided they are sincere towards Allah and His Messenger.” [al-Tawbah: 91] The verse continues.
And His saying, Mighty and Majestic:
“There is no blame upon the blind, nor upon the lame, nor upon the sick.” [al-Nūr: 61]
Section
There is one condition for its validity and permissibility, whose absence renders it null and void: intention. The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Actions are judged only by intentions.” He—peace and blessings be upon him—also said: “A believer’s intention is better than his deeds.” He also said concerning ‘Abd Allāh ibn Thābit: “Allah has indeed assigned him a reward commensurate with his intention.”
The intention in jihad is that a man should strive and fight so that the word of Allah may be supreme, seeking the reward of Allah Most High. The one undertaking jihad should therefore firmly establish this intention. Once he has done so, the involuntary thoughts that may enter his heart will not harm him, Allah willing.
It is related that Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal said: “O Messenger of Allah, every man of Banū Salimah is a fighter. For some, fighting comes naturally; some fight to show off; and some fight seeking Allah’s reward. Which of these is a martyr among the people of Paradise?” He replied: “O Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal, whoever fights with any of these traits, while his underlying purpose is that the word of Allah may be supreme, and is killed, is a martyr among the people of Paradise.”
It is also related that a man said to the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him: “O Messenger of Allah, a man performs a deed and conceals it, but people discover it, and this pleases him.” The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—replied: “You have the reward of doing it privately and the reward of doing it publicly.”