Umar Ibn Al-Khattab relates that he heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, say, “Verily actions are by intentions, and for every person is what he intended. So the one whose hijrah was to Allah and His Messenger, then his hijrah was to Allah and His Messenger. And the one whose hijrah was for the world to gain from it, or a woman to marry her, then his hijrah was to what he made hijrah for.” [Agreed upon]

This hadith is singularly narrated by Yahya ibn Sa’id al-Ansari from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim at-Taymi from Alqama ibn Abi Waqqas from ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab and this hadith has no other authentic route as stated by Ali ibn Al-Madini and others.

Al-Khattabi said, “I do not know of a difference concerning this amongst the Ahlul-Hadith.” This despite the fact that it has been reported from the hadith of Abu Sa’id and others – and it is said that it is reported via many routes – but none of them are authentic according to the hadith masters.

Then from Al-Ansari a huge group of people report this hadith. It is said that the number is more than two hundred, and it is also said that the number is more than seven hundred. From the most notable of these are Imam Malik, Ath-Thawri, Al-Awza’i, Ibn Al-Mubarak, Layth ibn Sa’ad, Hammad ibn Zayd, Shu’bah, Ibn Uyaynah and others. The scholars have agreed to its authenticity and have unanimously accepted it.