Dream - Ikhlas is an easy word to say but it takes strength to live by it. The word Ikhlas refers to a pure or sacred state in performing a deed or worship solely to seek the pleasure of Allah SWT without any other motive or purpose. Ikhlas also means sincerity, honesty, and reliance in worship, without expecting praise or reward from humans. Sincerity in worship is the key to the acceptance of such worship in the presence of Allah SWT.

In Islam, performing good deeds must be done with sincere intention solely for the sake of Allah SWT. Even at a high level of religiosity, worshiping should only be done to seek Allah's pleasure without expecting any rewards. Some Muslims believe that expecting rewards only turns worship into a transaction between servant and Allah SWT.

The statement certainly confuses many laypeople. In fact, most humans worship because of the motives of reward and punishment. This is also a promise from Allah in the Al-Quran. "Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds [that] for them there is forgiveness and great reward." (Surah Al-Maidah 9)

Still in the book Nafaisul Uluwiyyah fi al-Masail al-Sufiyyah, Sayyid Abdullah al-Haddad responds as follows: "Indeed, performing good deeds with the hope of reward is a commendable act, a blessed and beneficial effort. The salaf and khalaf (people of the past and present) among the righteous believers also performed good deeds with such hope. Indeed, humans are created in a weak and needy state; they are in need of the grace of their Lord, who is Most Rich."

Because of that, many verses are found that describe heaven and hell. Heaven is intended for people who have noble character and always obey Allah's commands and stay away from His prohibitions. Meanwhile, hell is intended for those who commit injustice, evil, violate the sharia, and all other types of crimes. Surely what is expected from worship is a good reward from Allah, and what is feared is Allah's wrath and punishment.

The translation of the given 'Bahasa' text to 'English' while preserving any html tags is as follows: "People who worship hoping for rewards are allowed. People like this are called Al-Rajiun. People who do good deeds out of fear of Allah's punishment are also allowed. People with this type are called Al-Khaifun. People who worship and do good deeds solely to obey the commandments of Allah SWT without expecting rewards are called Al-'Arifun. These three typologies are levels of maqam from the lowest to the highest."