عَنْ أبي مُوسَى الأَشعرِيِّ رضي اللّه عنه قالَ: سُئِلَ رسولُ اللّه ﷺ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُقاتِلُ شَجَاعَةً، ويُقاتِلُ حَمِيَّةً ويقاتِلُ رِياءً، أَيُّ ذلِك في سَبِيلِ اللّهِ؟ فَقَالَ رَسُول اللّه ﷺ: «مَنْ قاتَلَ لِتَكُون كلِمةُ اللّه هي الْعُلْيَا فهُوَ في سَبِيلِ اللّه» مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ.
On the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about a man who fights out of bravery, another who fights out of zeal, and another who fights for show -- which of these is in the cause of Allah? The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever fights so that the word of Allah is supreme, he is in the cause of Allah." Agreed upon (narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim).
الشرح · explanation
الحميّة: أي الأنَفة والعصبية. رياء: أي ليراه الناس. كلمة اللّه: أي دين اللّه.
"Zeal" (hamiyyah): meaning tribal pride and partisanship. "For show" (riya'): meaning so that people will see him. "The word of Allah": meaning the religion of Allah.
الدروس · lessons
من كانت نيّته نصرة الدين وإعزازه فهو في سبيل اللّه. أنَّ الفَضلَ الَّذي وَرَدَ في المُجاهدينَ يَختَصُّ بمَن قاتَلَ لإعلاءِ كَلِمةِ اللّهِ تعالى. أنّ الأعمال يُعتدّ بها عند اللّه بحسب النيّات الصالحة. أمر النيّة والقصد متروك إلى اللّه سبحانه.
Whoever has the intention of supporting the religion and elevating it is in the cause of Allah. The virtue mentioned regarding the mujahideen applies specifically to those who fight to make the word of Allah supreme. Deeds are considered valid before Allah according to righteous intentions. The matter of intention and purpose is left to Allah the Most Glorified.