Abu Musa Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a companion (Lahik bin Dumayrah) came to the service of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: A person participates in battle to gain spoils of war, a person participates in battle for fame, and a person participates in battle so that his bravery becomes renowned—so which of these fights in the way of Allah? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Whoever participates in battle with the intention that the word of Allah alone should be exalted, only he fights in the way of Allah.

Hazrat Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a man came to the service of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! What is the situation of fighting in the way of Allah? For among us, some fight out of anger and some out of zeal." So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) raised his head towards him, and he raised it because the questioner was standing, then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever fights so that the word of Allah may be exalted, he is fighting in the way of Allah."