‘Abdullāh bin Mubārak on Intentions

قَالَ ابنُ المُبَارَكِ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ: رُبَّ عَمَلٍ صَغِيْرٍ تُكَثِّرُهُ النِّيَّةُ، وَرُبَّ عَمَلٍ كَثِيْرٍ تُصَغِّرُهُ النِّيَّةُ

‘Abdullāh bin Mubārak (may Allāh have mercy upon him) said:

“Perhaps a small deed becomes multiplied due to its [sincere] intention. Perhaps a great deed becomes small due to its [insincere] intention.”