Authentic Narrations from Sahih al-Bukhari

Hadiths from Sahih Al-Bukhari on Intention

Sahih Al-Bukhari contains numerous hadiths that emphasize the significance of intention (niyyah) in actions. Some notable examples include:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Actions are judged by intentions, and for each person is what they intended. So, whoever’s migration is for Allah and His Messenger, their migration is for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever’s migration is for worldly gains or a woman he wishes to marry, then their migration is for what they migrated to.”
During a visit to Aisha with Ubaid Ibn Umair Al-Laythi, we asked her about migration. She replied: “There is no migration today; the believers used to flee with their religion to Allah, the Exalted, and to His Messenger (peace be upon him), fearing to be tempted. But now, Allah has made Islam manifest; today a person can worship their Lord wherever they wish, yet jihad and intention remain essential.”

Numerous hadiths regarding prayer can also be found in Sahih Al-Bukhari. Among them:

Aisha, the Mother of the Believers, stated: “Allah prescribed prayer in units of two, whether in residence or during travel, and the prayer during travel remained unchanged, while additional units were added to the prayer performed at home.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “I was commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and until they establish prayer and give zakat. If they do so, they have protected their lives and properties from me, except by the right of Islam, and their reckoning is with Allah.”
On one occasion, Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz delayed a prayer. Then, Urwah Ibn Al-Zubair entered and informed him that Al-Mughira Ibn Shu’aiba had also delayed prayer while he was in Iraq. Abu Mas’ud Al-Ansari then said: “What is this, O Al-Mughira? Don’t you know that Gabriel (peace be upon him) came down and prayed, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prayed as well?”

The book contains various hadiths related to fasting, such as:

Talha Ibn Ubaydullah narrated that a Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), asking: “O Messenger of Allah, tell me what Allah has obligated upon me regarding prayer?” The Messenger replied: “The five daily prayers, unless you wish to volunteer.” Then the Bedouin asked, “What about fasting?” The Messenger said: “The month of Ramadan, unless you wish to volunteer.” The Bedouin then requested information on zakat, to which the Messenger responded by explaining the pillars of Islam.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) declared: “Fasting is a shield. Therefore, one should not engage in obscenities nor act foolishly. If someone fights or insults him, he should say: ‘I am fasting,’ twice. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the breath of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the fragrance of musk. They leave their food, drink, and desires for My sake; fasting is for Me, and I reward it accordingly, and a good deed is rewarded tenfold.”
He further stated: “In Paradise, there is a gate called Ar-Rayan, through which the fasting individuals will enter on the Day of Resurrection. No one else will enter through it. It will be announced: ‘Where are the fasting ones?’ They will stand and enter, and once they do, the gate will close, and no one else will enter through it.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari also records many hadiths about the Holy Qur’an, including:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The example of the one who recites the Qur’an is like that of the citron: its taste is good, and its fragrance is pleasant; while the example of the believer who does not recite is like that of a date: it is good in taste but has no fragrance. The example of the wicked who recites the Qur’an is like that of a basil: its fragrance is pleasant, but its taste is bitter; and the example of the wicked who does not recite the Qur’an is like that of a bitter plant: its taste is bitter, and it has no fragrance.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” Abu Abd Al-Rahman recited during the reign of Uthman until Al-Hajjaj said: “And that was what put me in my position.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also remarked: “The example of the one who possesses the Qur’an is like that of a tied she-camel: if it is committed to its care, it will be maintained; if it is let loose, it will wander away.”

Numerous hadiths highlight the importance of treating parents with kindness, including:

I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “What is the most beloved action to Allah?” He said: “Prayer at its appointed time.” I asked: “Then what?” He replied: “Kindness to parents.” I asked again: “Then what?” He said: “Jihad in the way of Allah.” He informed me of these, and if I had asked more, he would have told me further.”
It was narrated that Abdullah Ibn Amr reported that a man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) seeking permission to engage in jihad. The Prophet asked him: “Are your parents alive?” He replied: “Yes.” The Prophet said: “Then exert your effort in their service.”
A man approached the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and asked: “O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of my good companionship?” He replied: “Your mother.” The man asked: “Then who?” The Prophet responded: “Then your mother.” The man continued: “Then who?” The Prophet repeated: “Then your mother.” The man asked once more: “Then who?” The Prophet concluded: “Then your father.”

Lastly, several hadiths in Sahih Al-Bukhari illustrate the value of good character, including:

It was reported by Abdullah Ibn Amr that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was neither coarse nor rude, and he said: “The best among you are those with the best character.”
It is narrated that when Abu Dharr heard of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) mission, he told his brother: “Ride to this valley and learn about this man who claims to be a Prophet and hears messages from the heavens. Listen to what he says, and then return to me.” His brother did so and informed him: “I saw him commanding good morals with speech that is not poetry.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was described as the most generous of people, and he was the most generous during Ramadan when he met Gabriel, who would visit him every night of Ramadan to review the Qur’an. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was more generous in good deeds than a fast-moving wind.