Ikhlas: Who Are We Really Working For?

"Ya ayyuhalladheena amanut-taqullaha haqqa tuqatihi wa la tamutunna illa wa antum muslimun." (Aal 'Imran, 3:102)

"Ya ayyuhannas uttaqu rabbakumul ladhi khalaqakum min nafsin wahidatin wa khalaqa minha zawjaha wa baththa minhuma rijalan katheeran wa nisa'a. Wattaqullahalldhee tasa'aluna bihi wal-arham. Innallaha kana 'alaykum raqeeba." (An-Nisa, 4:1)

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam,

Brothers and sisters, there is a form of shirk that the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, feared for us more than the Dajjal. It is not worshipping idols — it is far more subtle:

"The thing I fear most for you is the lesser shirk — ar-riya (showing off)." (Musnad Ahmad, 23630 — graded Sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami', 1555)

Riya — performing acts of worship to impress people rather than to please Allah. Praying beautifully when others are watching but lazily when alone. Giving charity to be praised. Reciting Quran to show off your voice. Speaking about Islam to appear knowledgeable.

This is the silent destroyer of deeds. Allah says in a hadith qudsi:

"I am the most self-sufficient of all partners. Whoever does a deed in which he associates anyone else with Me, I will abandon him and his shirk." (Sahih Muslim, 2985)

Ikhlas is the opposite of riya. It means doing everything — every prayer, every charity, every act of service — solely for the face of Allah.

"Wa ma umiru illa li ya'budullaha mukhliseena lahud-deen." (Al-Bayyinah, 98:5)

Imam al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyad, rahimahullah, said: "Leaving a deed for the sake of people is riya. Doing a deed for the sake of people is shirk. Ikhlas is when Allah saves you from both."

How do you know if your sincerity needs work? Ask yourself:

- Do I perform differently when people are watching versus when I am alone?

- Do I feel hurt when people don't acknowledge my contributions?

- Do I compare my worship to others — and feel good when I "win"?

- Would I still do this deed if no one ever found out about it?

The Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, told us about the first three people who will be thrown into the Fire on the Day of Judgement — a scholar, a charitable person, and a warrior. Each was asked why they did what they did. The scholar said: "For knowledge." The charitable person said: "For charity." The warrior said: "For jihad." But Allah will say: "You lie. You did it so people would say you are learned, generous, or brave." And they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire. (Sahih Muslim, 1905)

This is terrifying. The actions were outwardly excellent — but the intention was corrupt.

Brothers and sisters,

First: Perform one act of worship this week that absolutely no one knows about — not your spouse, not your friends, not social media. A secret charity. A night prayer when everyone is asleep. A private du'a in tears. The Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, described seven types shaded on the Day of Judgement, including:

"A man who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has spent." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1423; Sahih Muslim, 1031)

Second: Before every deed, pause and check your intention. Make this a habit — before prayer, before speaking, before posting online: "Am I doing this for Allah, or for people?" This moment of reflection is the gateway to ikhlas.

"Qul inna salatee wa nusukee wa mahyaya wa mamatee lillahi rabbil-'alameen." (Al-An'am, 6:162)