Hadith #3192

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One whose action is not accompanied with sincerity, [his action] is not accepted.

This wise utterance emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our actions and serves as a reminder for Muslims to always strive for purity of intention.

The word (ikhlas) "إخْلاصُ" in this Hadith refers to sincerity or purity of intention. It signifies the act of performing an action solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), seeking His pleasure and reward. It is the opposite of showing off or seeking worldly gains and recognition.

The Hadith highlights the significance of sincerity in our actions by stating that if one's actions are not accompanied by sincerity, they will not be accepted. This means that even if a person performs good deeds outwardly, such as prayers, fasting, or charity, if their intention is not pure and solely for the sake of Allah, their actions will not be rewarded.

This concept of sincerity is emphasized in the Quran as well. In Surah Al-Bayyinah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 98:5)

They were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.

Here, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worship and states that true religion is based on sincerity to Him. This further reinforces the message of the Hadith, that sincerity is a fundamental aspect of our faith and our actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 6:162-163)

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims.'

These verses highlight the importance of dedicating all aspects of our lives, including our prayers, sacrifices, and even our very existence, solely to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This serves as a reminder that true acceptance of our actions lies in their sincerity and devotion to Allah alone.

The consequences of lacking sincerity in our actions are significant. If we perform good deeds with impure intentions, seeking praise or recognition from others, we may receive temporary worldly benefits, but we will not attain the true reward and blessings from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our actions will be devoid of spiritual value and will not bring us closer to Allah.

On the other hand, when we perform our actions sincerely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we not only fulfill our religious obligations but also strengthen our relationship with our Creator. Our actions become a means of seeking His pleasure and attaining His mercy and blessings. Sincerity in our actions leads to spiritual growth, inner peace, and a sense of fulfillment.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to purify our intentions in all aspects of our lives. Whether it is our prayers, acts of charity, or any other good deed, we should constantly remind ourselves to do them solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should seek His pleasure and reward, and not let the desire for worldly recognition or personal gain corrupt our intentions.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to perform all our actions with sincerity and accept them from us. May He purify our hearts and make us among those who are sincere in their worship and devotion. Ameen.