Reviving his sunnah encompasses many forms of righteousness, such is the vastness of Allah’s bounty and generosity. It may be done by conveying and explaining it so that the truth prevails and is upheld, or by supporting it through spending wealth and engaging in jihad, thereby aiding Allah’s religion and making His word supreme. Jihad with one’s wealth is coupled with jihad in person; indeed, Allah Most High has mentioned the former before the latter in several passages because of its great standing and benefits. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Whoever equips a warrior has himself taken part in the campaign, and whoever takes good care of that warrior’s family in his absence has himself taken part in the campaign.”

He also said:

“Whoever provides a fasting person with food to break his fast will have a reward equal to his,” and an equal recompense.

This is especially true of deeds whose benefit endures after a person dies and goes to his grave, as he said in the hadith:

“When a son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three.”

These three are among his own deeds that endure after his death. They differ from the deeds of others that benefit him after his death, such as supplication, charity and freeing slaves. These are not his own endeavours, but the endeavours and intercession of others. Likewise, a believer is joined by those of his descendants whom Allah admits to Paradise.

The foundation of righteous deeds is the servant’s sincerity to Allah in his intention. For He, glorified is He, sent down the Scriptures, sent the messengers and created all creation only that He might be worshipped. This is what the messengers called all His creatures to, as He stated in His Book through the words of His messengers with the utmost clarity.

For this reason, the early generations favoured opening their gatherings, books and other undertakings with the hadith:

“Actions are judged only by intentions,”

placing it at the very outset. We therefore follow their path in this, for they were Islam’s finest army and its vanguard, and so we say