Steps Towards Happiness -Throughout a Sincere Intention You Attain the Reward of the Action, Even If You Do Not Perform It.

Generosity is one of the qualities of Allah. When a servant intends to perform righteous deeds but is unable to do so due to circumstances beyond their control, they will still be rewarded for that action as a gracious gift from Allah. Jabir ibn Abdullah1, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that “We accompanied the Prophet, peace be upon him, in an expedition when he said, "Some people have remained behind us in Al-Madinah, and we never cross a valley but they are with us. They were held back by sickness." In another narration the wordings are: "... Except that they are participating with you in gaining the reward." 

(Muslim)2

Al-Bukhari also narrated this hadith on the authority of Anas ibn Malik3 (may Allah be pleased with him), who narrated that after returning from the Battle of Tabuk, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "There are some people in Madinah who, whenever we took a path or crossed a valley, they were with us. They were held back due to a valid excuse."4

The Prophet, peace be upon him, also mentioned a person who has no wealth but intends to give charity and says, "If I had wealth, I would do the deeds of so-and-so." The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "He is rewarded according to his intention, and he will have the same reward." 

(Tirmidhi)1

On the authority of Ibn Abbas2 (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), from what he has related from his Lord: Verily Allah Ta’ala has written down the good deeds and the evil deeds, and then explained it [by saying]: “Whosoever intended to perform a good deed, but did not do it, then Allah writes it down with Himself as a complete good deed. And if he intended to perform it and then did perform it, then Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds up to seven hundred times, up to many times multiplied.” 

(Al-Bukhari)3 (Muslim)4

Thus, a Muslim keeps his intention for every good deed, as Umar ibn al-Khattab5, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The best of deeds is1 sincerity of intention in what is with Allah1." And Dawud al-Tai2 )may Allah have mercy on him( said: "I have seen all goodness gathered in having a good intention."3

Whoever desires that his actions be complete should make his intention good, indeed, Allah rewards the servant according to his intention, even a morsel of food. The prophet, peace be upon him, said: “You will not spend anything, seeking thereby to please Allah, without being rewarded for it, even the morsel of food you put in your wife's mouth.” (Agreed upon).4

The righteous predecessors used to emphasize having a good intention in every righteous matter. Yahya ibn Abi Kathir5, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Learn the intention, for it goes further than actions do."6 And Zubeid al-Yami7, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Have a good intention in everything you want to do, even in going to the restroom"8.

References:

1 Jabir ibn Abdullah ibn Amr al-Khazraji al-Ansari. He was of those who was present during the Pledge of al-Aqabah. He died in 74 AH, and lived for ninety-four years. (Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah 546/1)

2 Muslim, Book of Leadership, Chapter: The reward for those who missed out on joining the army due to illness or any other valid excuse, Hadith no. 1911.

3 Anas ibn Malik ibn al-Nadr al-Khazraji al-Ansari, who participated in eight expeditions with the Messenger of Allah, died in 93 AH, and was the last Companion to pass away in Basra. (Ma'rifat al-Sahabah by Abu Nu'aym 231/1)

4 Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Expeditions, Chapter: The reward for those who have a valid excuse for not participating in a battle, Hadith no. 2839.

Book of Asceticism, Chapter: What is mentioned about this world being like four dots, Hadith number (2325), on the authority of Abu Kabsha al-Anmari. Al-Tirmidhi is Abu Isa Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Sawrah al-Sulami al-Tirmidhi. He was born in the year 210 AH and passed away in the year 279 AH. His biography can be found in Tadhkirat al-Huffaz by al-Dhahabi (154/2) and Siyar A'lam al-Nubala (270/13)

2 He is Abu al-Abbas Abdullah ibn Abbas: a Hashemite Qurashi from the Banu Hashim clan, cousin of the Messenger of Allah. He was born in the year 3 AH and passed away in the year 68 AH or 70 AH. His biography can be found in Asad al-Ghaba fi Ma'rifat al-Sahaba (3/186) and al-Isaba fi Tamyiz al-Sahaba (121/4).

3 Book of Softening the Hearts, Chapter: Whoever intends to do a good deed or an evil deed, Hadith number (6491).

4 Book of Faith, Chapter: When a servant intends to do a good deed, and if he intends to do a bad deed, it is not recorded, Hadith number (131).

5 He is the Commander of the Believers, Abu Hafs Umar ibn al-Khattab ibn Nufayl al-Adawi al-Qurashi. He was born thirteen years after the Year of the Elephant. He embraced Islam after forty men and eleven women. He was assassinated by Abu Lu'lu'a al-Majusi in the year 23 AH. His biography can be found in al-Isti'ab fi Ma'rifat al-As'hab (1144/3).

1 Mentioned by Ibn Rajab in Jami' al-'Ulum wal-Hikam (71/1).

2 He is Abu Sulaiman Dawud ibn Nasir al-Tai al-Kufi. He was born after the year 100 AH and passed away in the year 162 AH. His biography can be found in Siyar A'lam al-Nubala (422/7).

3 Jami' al-'Ulum wal-Hikam (70/1).

4 Previously cited

5 He is Abu Nasr Yahya ibn Abi Kathir al-Tai al-Yamami. He passed away in the year 129 AH. His biography can be found in Siyar A'lam al-Nubala (27/6).

6 Hilyat al-Awliya (3/70), Jami' al-'Ulum wal-Hikam (70/1).

7 He is Zaid ibn al-Harith al-Yami al-Kufi, a hadith scholar from the younger generation of the Tabi'un. He passed away in the year 122 AH. His biography can be found in Siyar A'lam al-Nubala (296/5).

8 Jami' al-'Ulum wal-Hikam (70/1).