The Reality of Sincerity

Question: Is it correct to say: that sincerity (ikhlas) is excellence in worship (ihsan), and that it is faith and trustworthiness? E. M. Riyadh

Answer: Sincerity is a part of trustworthiness and faith, and for the deed to be in accordance with the Shari'ah is a part of trustworthiness and faith. Performing the prayer with ablution is from trustworthiness and faith, and performing it in its time is faith and trustworthiness. So it is with zakah and the other obligatory duties. Excellence in worship in the deed is something else; it is the perfection of trustworthiness and faith. That is by completing the deed in obedience to Allah from what is obligatory and what is recommended, and by staying away from the sins of Allah and what Allah has disliked from that for His servants.
And excellence in worship (ihsan) is that you worship Allah as if you see Him. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . The people of this rank are the foremost ones who are brought near, mentioned in the saying of the Exalted in Surat al-Waqi'ah: Those are the ones brought near. In gardens of pleasure. A group from the former ones. And a few from the later ones. The verse [al-Waqi'ah: 10 - 14], and success is from Allah.