He—may Allah have mercy on him—was also asked about the saying of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“A person’s intention is more far-reaching than his deeds.”

He replied:

This statement has been made by several people, and some cite it as traced back to the Prophet. Its meaning can be explained in several ways:

First: An intention unaccompanied by action is rewarded, whereas an action unaccompanied by intention is not. The Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the imams establish that whoever performs righteous deeds without sincerity to Allah will not have those deeds accepted. It is also established in both Sahīh collections, through several chains of transmission, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Whoever intends to do a good deed but does not do it has one good deed recorded for him.”

Second: Whoever intends to do good, does as much of it as he can, but is unable to complete it receives the reward of one who performed it. Thus, it is reported in both Sahīh collections that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“There are men in Medina who have been with you on every journey you have made and in every valley you have crossed.” They asked, “Even though they are in Medina?” He replied, “Even though they are in Medina. A valid excuse has held them back.”

Al-Tirmidhī also graded as authentic the hadith narrated by Abū Kabshah al-Anmārī from the Prophet