Explanation of the words of Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding what he quoted: "
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The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
This hadith is related to the preceding hadiths indicating the abundance of paths to good, and that the paths to good are many, including going to the mosques, and likewise returning from them if a person intends that for the sake of Allah the Exalted. So this is the hadith mentioned by the author (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding the story of the man whose house was far from the mosque, and who would come to the mosque from his house, intending the reward from Allah both when coming to the mosque and when returning from it. Some people said to him: Why don't you buy a donkey to ride in the darkness and the scorching heat, meaning at night when it is dark, such as for the 'Isha' and Fajr prayers, or in the scorching heat on days of intense heat, especially in the Hijaz, for it is hot. He said (may Allah be pleased with him): He clarified that he intended his reward from Allah the Mighty and Majestic both when coming to the mosque and when returning from it. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: In this is evidence that walking frequently to the mosques is among the paths to good, and that if a person intends the reward from Allah, Allah records the reward for him both when he comes to the mosque and when he returns from it. There is no doubt that intention has a great effect on the validity of deeds, and a great effect on their reward. How many are there of two people who pray together, one next to the other, and yet the difference in their reward is like the distance between the sky and the earth, due to the soundness of intention and the goodness of the deed. So the more sincere a person is in his devotion to Allah and the stronger his following of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), the greater his reward and the more magnificent his reward with Allah the Mighty and Majestic. And Allah grants success.
This hadith is related to the preceding hadiths indicating the abundance of paths to good, and that the paths to good are many, including going to the mosques, and likewise returning from them if a person intends that for the sake of Allah the Exalted. So this is the hadith mentioned by the author (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding the story of the man whose house was far from the mosque, and who would come to the mosque from his house, intending the reward from Allah both when coming to the mosque and when returning from it. Some people said to him: Why don't you buy a donkey to ride in the darkness and the scorching heat, meaning at night when it is dark, such as for the 'Isha' and Fajr prayers, or in the scorching heat on days of intense heat, especially in the Hijaz, for it is hot. He said (may Allah be pleased with him):