It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man asked: If a person fights the enemy and wishes that people praise him and he also receives reward, so he (Abu Darda) said: "There is no reward for him, even if he becomes exhausted from striking with the sword."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that when Umar bin Ubaidullah asked: If I fight for the pleasure of Allah and at the time of battle I wish that people see my bravery, he (Ibn Umar) replied: "I consider you a hypocritical (show-off) person."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) that a Bedouin asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): A person fights for war booty, another for fame, and another to show his bravery. Among them, who is the one fighting in the way of Allah? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The one who fights so that the word of Allah is exalted, he is the one fighting in the way of Allah."

It was said to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): A man fights out of zeal, bravery, and for fame. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever fights to make the word of Allah supreme will enter Paradise."

We were sitting with Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) when someone said: "So-and-so has been martyred." He replied: "How do you know he is a martyr? A person may fight out of anger, tribalism, or for show. The true martyr is the one who fights to raise the word of Allah."

Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said to Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him): "Tell me, if a person goes out with his sword seeking the Face of Allah, then is killed, will he enter Paradise?" Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Yes." Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "No, rather, when he goes out seeking the Face of Allah, then fulfills Allah's command, and then is killed, he will enter Paradise."

Hazrat Ibn Sirin (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates that Hazrat Abu Al-Ajfa Salmi said: I heard Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) delivering a sermon. After praising Allah, he said: "Beware! Do not increase the dowry (mahr) of women. If this were a matter of honor in this world or a sign of piety in the sight of Allah, then the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) would have been most deserving of it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not give more than twelve uqiyah as dowry to any of his wives, nor to his daughters. Some of you increase the dowry of your women and thus create enmity in your own hearts, then say: 'I have endured hardship for you.' And in your battles you say: 'So-and-so was martyred, so-and-so was martyred.' Perhaps he had set out with gold and silver loaded on his camel's saddle or tail, seeking the wealth and riches of this world. Beware! Do not say such things. Rather, say as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Whoever is killed or dies in the way of Allah, he alone is a martyr.'"