Ramadan: Islamic scholar urges Muslims to uphold sincerity in acts of worship
The Chief Imam of Al-Hiddayyah Central Mosque in Olambe, Ogun State, Sheik Qomardeen Yunus Akorede, has urged Muslims to uphold sincerity in their acts of worship, stressing that good deeds
The Chief Imam of Al-Hiddayyah Central Mosque in Olambe, Ogun State, Sheik Qomardeen Yunus Akorede, has urged Muslims to uphold sincerity in their acts of worship, stressing that good deeds are accepted by Allah only when they are done with pure intention and in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet.
The cleric delivered the message on Saturday, March 14, during a Ramadan lecture held at the mosque, where he highlighted the importance of Ikhlas (sincerity) in all forms of devotion and daily conduct.
Addressing worshippers, the Sheik said Allah created mankind primarily for His worship and expects believers to devote their acts solely to Him without associating partners or seeking the admiration of others.
Quoting from the Quran, he referenced Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:5), which states:
“They were not commanded except to worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and give zakah. And that is the correct religion.”
According to him, intention remains the foundation upon which every act of worship is judged.
He cited a well-known Hadith of Prophet Muhammad which emphasises the central role of intention in all human actions.
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The Hadith states, “Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will have only what they intended.”
He explained that the narration highlights how a deed that appears good outwardly may lose its reward if it is carried out for the wrong reasons.
The Islamic scholar also referred to another Quranic verse from Surah Az-Zumar (39:2), which says, “Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book in truth. So worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion.”
He explained that for any deed to be accepted by Allah, two key conditions must be fulfilled: sincerity of intention and adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet.
“If a person performs a deed without sincerity or does not follow the example of the Prophet, the reward of that act may not be accepted,” he said.
The cleric warned Muslims against engaging in acts of worship merely to gain recognition or praise from others, describing show-off as a subtle form of shirk (associating partners with Allah).
He noted that many people perform charitable or religious acts publicly only to impress others rather than to please Allah.
Such individuals, he said, may not receive any reward for those deeds on the Day of Judgement.
According to him, sincerity remains one of the most powerful spiritual qualities a believer can possess and often serves as a means through which Allah grants relief from hardship.
To illustrate this point, he cited a narration in an authentic Hadith about three men who became trapped inside a cave after a large rock blocked its entrance.
The Imam explained that each of the three men prayed to Allah, mentioning sincere good deeds they had previously performed solely for His sake. As they prayed, the rock gradually moved until the entrance was completely opened, allowing them to escape.
He said the narration demonstrates how sincere deeds performed purely for Allah can serve as a means of divine help during times of difficulty.
The cleric therefore urged Muslims to prioritise good deeds that are done quietly and without seeking public attention.
He noted that pious believers often conceal their acts of charity and devotion in order to preserve their sincerity and ensure that the reward comes only from Allah.
The Imam warned that show-off has the potential to destroy good deeds that might otherwise have been rewarded.
“Shaitan loves whoever loves to show off their deeds,” he said, cautioning Muslims against announcing charitable acts or acts of worship carried out in private.
He emphasised that a sincere believer remains consistent in behaviour, whether in public or in private.
According to him, the deeds of a truly pious Muslim remain the same both in the open and in secrecy because they are carried out purely for Allah.
The cleric also encouraged wealthy members of the community to assist the less privileged, stressing that charity should be given for the sake of Allah rather than in expectation of gratitude or recognition.
Quoting from Surah Al-Insan (76:9), he said believers should give to others with the intention of seeking Allah’s mercy, not worldly praise or reward. The verse states:
“We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We desire from you neither reward nor thanks.”
The Imam further explained that maintaining sincerity can sometimes be difficult for believers, particularly when good deeds are publicly visible.
However, he said Muslims can strengthen their sincerity through prayer and constant supplication to Allah.
He noted that Allah alone has the power to guide and purify the hearts of people.
“One of the best ways to attain sincerity is to constantly ask Allah to purify our intentions,” he said.
The cleric therefore urged Muslims to renew their intentions at the beginning, during and after every act of worship or good deed.
He also encouraged worshippers to rely on Allah in all circumstances while continuing to do good to fellow human beings.
According to him, acts of kindness and charity should be performed with the sole aim of pleasing Allah and strengthening faith.
He concluded by reminding the congregation that sincerity remains a fundamental principle in Islam and a key factor in determining whether a person’s deeds will be accepted.
