They Were Commanded Only to Worship Allah with Sincerity — Sincerity Is the Essence of Religion

Verse: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and give zakah. And that is the correct religion."

Reflection:
This verse summarised the entire religion in three: sincerity of worship to Allah, establishing prayer, and giving zakah. And it placed sincerity before both acts — because action without sincerity is a form without a soul.

"Sincere to Him in religion": Sincerity is not a rank for the elite but a condition for the acceptance of every act. The Prophet said: "Deeds are but by intentions." [Bukhari]

"Hunafa" (inclining to truth): Turning away from all falsehood toward truth — the hanif is one who has turned from polytheism to pure monotheism.

"That is the correct religion": This is the upright religion with no crookedness in it — not a new religion, but the way of Ibrahim and the essence of every heavenly message.

Ibn Kathir said: "Meaning: the creation from ancient times to the present has been commanded with nothing but this — to unify Allah, to be sincere in worship of Him, to establish prayer, and to give zakah."

Lesson: Continually revisit your intentions — the prayer you pray, the charity you give, the knowledge you seek: for whom? That question is the key to acceptance or rejection.