☕ Ikhlas — Sincerity 🌙

Assalamu Alaikum,

Two people can perform the exact same good deed.

One may be rewarded greatly for it.

The other may receive little, or nothing.

The difference can be something nobody else can see:

Intention.

Ikhlas (إخلاص) means sincerity—doing something sincerely for Allah rather than for recognition, praise, status, or the approval of people.

It turns our attention away from how we appear and toward why we act.

Allah says:

“Even though they were only commanded to worship Allah alone with sincere devotion to Him in all uprightness, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax. That is the upright Way.”

— Qur’an 98:5

Sincerity sits at the heart of worship.

Salah is not simply movement.

Charity is not simply giving money.

Islamic knowledge is not simply knowing more.

The question behind all of them is:

Who is this ultimately for?

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

— Sahih al-Bukhari 1

This famous hadith establishes a fundamental principle of Islam:

Our intentions matter.

The same outward action can carry very different weight depending upon what is happening inside the heart.

Ikhlas means directing an act of worship sincerely toward Allah.

That means not performing it primarily so people will admire us, praise us, or think highly of us.

But sincerity does not require hiding every good deed.

Some acts of worship are naturally public.

The important question is what motivates them.

Would I still do this if nobody knew?

Sometimes that question reveals more than the action itself.

Insincerity is not always obvious.

It can appear when we:

Give charity and hope people notice.

Share Islamic knowledge because we want to appear knowledgeable.

Improve our worship when others are watching.

Mention our good deeds unnecessarily.

Feel disappointed when our efforts receive no recognition.

This is why intentions need regular examination.

The heart can change even while the deed remains the same.

Before a good deed, ask:

Why am I doing this?

During it:

Has my intention changed?

Afterward:

Am I seeking Allah’s acceptance or people's recognition?

Checking your intention is not something done once.

Ikhlas requires maintenance.

A beneficial supplication is:

Allahumma inni a'udhu bika an ushrika bika shay'an a'lamuhu, wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lamuhu.

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowingly associating anything with You, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly.”

Hisn al-Muslim 203

A useful dua for protecting the heart from hidden forms of showing off and insincerity.

Not every good deed needs an audience.

Not every act of worship needs to be mentioned.

Not every sacrifice needs recognition.

Some of the most valuable deeds in your life may be the ones known only to you and Allah.

So from time to time, ask yourself a simple question:

If nobody ever knew I did this, would I still do it?

The answer can tell us something about our sincerity.

Until tomorrow,
Stay steadfast on the Straight Path.

— Islam Brew 🌙

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