Sincerity: The Soul of Action

It is narrated from the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him): "Sincerity is the goal of religion." The believer is not asked about the quantity of his deeds so much as about his intention in them, for it is the intention that raises a deed or lets it fall.

Among the signs of sincerity is that people's praise and blame become equal to the servant, that he rejoices in a hidden deed as he does in a public one, and that he seeks no reward for his obedience from anyone but God.