Ikhlas
Ikhlas is doing an act of worship for God alone, with no share of the intention aimed at anything else.
What it means for me: Ikhlas is a condition for a deed's acceptance, alongside doing it in the form the Sunnah actually prescribes. You are not asked to achieve a perfect, unwavering heart. You are asked to check your intention honestly and correct course when you notice it slipping.
Example: A woman gives charity quietly, telling no one, wanting only God's reward for it. That is the shape of ikhlas: the deed and the motive both point toward God alone.
Do not confuse with: Riya, showing off. Ikhlas is the sound intention itself; riya is what corrupts it once recognition from people becomes part of the aim.
If scholars differ: Scholars differ on how a worldly benefit mixed into an otherwise sincere intention affects the deed. Some say any such share reduces the reward without erasing it; others set a stricter line.
Related terms
See the term in context
What is the difference between sincerity (ikhlas) and intention (niyyah)?
Sincerity (Ikhlas) is the act of dedicating one's deeds solely to Allah Almighty, purifying them from any impurities. Intention (Niyyah), on the other hand, is the resolve of the heart and the purpose behind an action.…
Is it permissible to designate specific surahs to be recited in the Asr prayer, or the Witr prayer, or the emphasized Sunnah prayers, such as designating Surat Al-Asr and Al-Ikhlas for Asr, and is this considered an innovation (bid'ah)?
The first thing for a Muslim is to seek the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in recitation during prayer, and not to dedicate a specific prayer to a specific recitation unless it has been authentically…
Is regularly reciting Surat Al-A'la and Al-Kafirun in the Witr prayer from the Sunnah, and is regularly reciting Al-Kafirun and Al-Ikhlas in the Sunnah prayer of Fajr legitimate, or did the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, not do so regularly?
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to recite "Glorify the Name of your Most High Lord" (Surat Al-A'la) in the first unit (rak'ah) of the Witr prayer, "Say, 'O disbelievers!'" (Surat Al-Kafirun) in the…
Questions that use it
What is the difference between sincerity (ikhlas) and intention (niyyah)?
Is it permissible to designate specific surahs to be recited in the Asr prayer, or the Witr prayer, or the emphasized Sunnah prayers, such as designating Surat Al-Asr and Al-Ikhlas for Asr, and is this considered an innovation (bid'ah)?
Is regularly reciting Surat Al-A'la and Al-Kafirun in the Witr prayer from the Sunnah, and is regularly reciting Al-Kafirun and Al-Ikhlas in the Sunnah prayer of Fajr legitimate, or did the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, not do so regularly?
Which has a greater reward: completing the recitation of the Quran every four days along with repeating Surat Al-Ikhlas, or completing it every three days, also with repeating it?
Is it sufficient for an unlettered woman who has memorized only Surat Al-Fatiha and Surat Al-Ikhlas to repeat them in every rak'ah of prayer?
What is recited in the rak'ahs exceeding three rak'ahs in the Witr prayer, and should the three surahs (Al-A'la, Al-Kafirun, Al-Ikhlas) be recited again, or can one choose whatever surahs they wish? And are the surahs that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite in the Shafa' prayer Al-A'la and Al-Kafirun, or are these two surahs specific to Witr? And is it permissible to pray Shafa' two rak'ahs, then Witr seven rak'ahs, without consistency in the number?