The Qur'an reduces true religion to one thing: sincerity — worshipping Allah alone, for His sake, not for people to see. Ikhlas is what gives a deed its weight; without it, the action is empty.
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.”— 98:5 (Saheeh International)
Ask Noor can explain how to purify your intention (niyyah) and guard against showing off (riya).
Ask Noor — free on the App Store