The Hadith Segment (They are the people with whom no companion is made wretched): Is the chain of narration considered evidence for the condition that intention is not required to receive reward?

Question : Here is a rock of iron. They are the people with whom no companion is made wretched. This man did not attend the gathering of knowledge, and yet he was forgiven. So, is this hadith considered an exception to the requirement of intention in order to receive reward?

Answer : We say that this gathering is a gathering of dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and it may be attended by one who does not intend to engage in dhikr. However, due to what he benefits from the dhikr, especially if the dhikr is knowledge, this man, even if he attended for a need, must benefit. Therefore, for what he gained of knowledge, he has this reward. Because the thing that benefited him is widespread, one may be rewarded for it, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us regarding the one who plants a crop or plants a tree, and a bird or a person takes from it; he receives reward for it. So, because his benefit is widespread and he obtained from the knowledge what he obtained, he has a reward, and the reward of this Prophet is for him.