This is because any deed that is not performed sincerely for Allah is rejected. In the divine hadith related by the Prophet—may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace—Allah—Glorious and Exalted is He—says: “I am the One least in need of any partner. Whoever performs a deed in which he associates another with Me, I abandon him and his association.” (1)
Thus, if you stood to pray to show off before people, gave charity to show off before people, sought knowledge to show off before people, maintained ties of kinship to show off before people, or did anything else of that nature, the deed would be rejected even if it appeared righteous outwardly.
The same applies to conformity: if you performed a deed that the Messenger—may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace—did not perform, seeking thereby to draw near to Allah with complete sincerity to Him, it would not be accepted from you. This is because the Prophet—may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace—said: “Whoever performs a deed that is not in accordance with this matter of ours will have it rejected.” (2)
Thus, a righteous deed combines two qualities:
First: sincerity to Allah—Glorious and Exalted is He.
Second: conformity to the Messenger—may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace.
The third quality is expressed in the words, “and urge one another to the truth.” That is, each of them urges the others to adhere to the truth. The truth is the revealed law. Thus, whenever one of them sees another neglecting an obligation, he advises him, saying, “My brother, fulfil your obligation.” If he sees him committing something forbidden, he advises him, saying, “My brother, refrain from what is forbidden.” They therefore do not limit themselves to benefiting themselves; rather, they benefit both themselves and others.
The fourth quality is expressed in the words, “and urge one another to patience.” That is, each of them urges the others to be patient. Patience means restraining oneself from what ought not to be done. Scholars divide it into three categories:
The first category: patience in obeying Allah.
The second category: patience in refraining from what Allah has forbidden.
The third category: patience in the face of Allah’s decrees.