What is the relationship between the Hadith: "Indeed, actions are by intentions" and the jurisprudential rule that divides the actions of the legally competent into the five Shariah rulings?

The aforementioned Hadith is a great Hadith, one of the comprehensive sayings of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Its immense significance has been transmitted continuously by generations of Imams, and it has been considered by Al-Shafi'i, Ahmad, Ibn Mahdi, Al-Daraqutni, and others as one-third of knowledge, or one-half, or one-quarter.

This is because a servant's acquisition [of deeds] occurs through their heart, tongue, and limbs. Intention is one of these three parts, and the most significant, as it can be an independent act of worship, while other acts depend on it.

Ibn Furak also held that outward actions are tied to the soundness of inner thoughts and sincerity of intentions. In contrast, Ibn Daqiq al-Id was of the view that whatever one intends, they attain, and whatever they do not intend, they do not attain.

From this Hadith, scholars derived a jurisprudential rule: "Matters are judged by their intentions." This is because intention is related to mandatory rulings. Acts of worship are not valid without it, and permissible acts can transform into recommended ones with the intention of drawing closer to Allah, or into forbidden ones if a bad intention is harbored.