Does good intention always lead to good results?

In the comprehensive and profound school of Islam, 'intention' (niyyah) holds an extremely elevated position and is, in essence, the cornerstone of all actions and acts of worship. As stated in the famous prophetic tradition: 'Indeed, actions are by intentions,' meaning that actions gain their value and meaning only through intentions. This fundamental principle is the beating heart of every deed and determines its worth and reward in the sight of Allah Almighty. A sincere and pure intention can transform a small act into a great one, and even if the apparent worldly outcome of that act does not meet expectations, it brings about eternal reward and divine pleasure. However, does a good intention necessarily and always lead to outwardly 'good' results in this world? The answer to this question requires a deeper understanding of Allah's wisdom and the divine order of creation. From the perspective of the Holy Quran and Islamic teachings, a good intention is a necessary condition for the acceptance of deeds and for benefiting from divine reward, but it is not a sufficient condition for achieving all desired worldly outcomes. In fact, the path of human life is full of various factors and variables that determine the final outcome of an action. Divine will and decree (Qada and Qadar), environmental conditions, the actions of others, and hidden wisdoms known only to Allah, all play a role in shaping outcomes. An individual might undertake a task with the best intentions, for example, starting a permissible and blessed trade to help the needy, but due to unforeseen reasons such as natural disasters, global economic changes, or the machinations of enemies, that trade might fail. In such a situation, from a purely material perspective, a good result has not been achieved; but from a divine perspective, and considering the pure intention, sincere effort, and patience in the face of difficulties, the individual has earned immense eternal reward and drawn closer to Allah. The Holy Quran explicitly states: 'And Allah Knows, while you know not' (Al-Baqarah: 216). This verse reminds us that our understanding and perception of good and evil and the outcomes of matters are limited, while divine knowledge and wisdom are infinite. It is quite possible that good is hidden within what appears to be evil, and evil is concealed within what appears to be good. For instance, in the story of Musa and Khidr (peace be upon them) in Surah Al-Kahf, we encounter clear examples of this truth. The actions performed by Khidr appear undesirable and even destructive at first glance (sinking the boat, killing the boy), but upon Khidr's explanation, it becomes clear that each of them was for deeper wisdoms and to prevent greater harm or to realize hidden benefits. This story demonstrates that human perception of 'good results' is very limited, and what appears outwardly bad may, in reality, be pure good. Therefore, even if a person's intention is pure and sincere, worldly outcomes do not always unfold according to their wishes; because Allah's wisdom is beyond limited human comprehension, and sometimes Allah ordains outcomes that seem unfavorable, but in the long run or in the Hereafter, they lead to the best conclusion. Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that a good intention must be accompanied by righteous action and the use of lawful means. Merely having good intentions, without effort and striving towards it or using illicit means, cannot lead to the desired outcome. Islam emphasizes reliance on Allah (Tawakkul) after exerting all effort and utilizing legitimate means. That is, a person must exert their utmost effort with a pure intention and then entrust the outcome to Allah Almighty. If an unexpected result occurs, they should accept it as a divine test or part of His wisdom, and exercise patience. In conclusion, a good intention guarantees divine reward and pleasure and is the most fundamental condition for evaluating deeds in Islam. A pure intention is never lost or wasted in the sight of Allah. However, worldly outcomes are always subject to divine will and wisdom and may differ from human expectations. This difference in apparent results does not mean that good intentions are ineffective; rather, it reflects the vastness of Allah's knowledge and wisdom, who knows what is ultimately best for His servants. Therefore, a true believer is one who always acts with pure intention and entrusts the outcome to the Wise and All-Knowing Allah, with the certainty that whatever comes from Him, even if seemingly difficult, ultimately holds good and benefit for them, and will result in an everlasting reward in the Hereafter. This perspective brings peace and tranquility to the heart and makes one resilient against the ups and downs of life. Instead of focusing on a specific outcome, we focus on the purity of intention and the righteousness of action, because the true reward is with the Lord, not in transient worldly achievements.