“If a deed is sincere but not correct, it will not be accepted. If it is correct but not sincere, it will not be accepted, until it is both sincere and correct. Sincerity means that it is done for Allah, and correctness means that it accords with the Sunnah.”

If it is asked: Since everything Allah loves falls within the meaning of worship, why are other things mentioned alongside it, as in His words:

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,”

and His words:

“So worship Him and put your trust in Him,”

and the words of Noah:

“Worship Allah, fear Him, and obey me,”

and similar statements by other messengers?

The answer is that there are parallels to this, as in His words:

“Indeed, prayer restrains from indecency and wrongdoing.”

Indecency is itself a form of wrongdoing. Likewise, He says:

“Indeed, Allah commands justice, doing good, and giving to relatives, and forbids indecency, wrongdoing, and oppression.”

Giving to relatives is part of justice and doing good, just as indecency and oppression are forms of wrongdoing.

Likewise, He says:

“And those who hold fast to the Book and establish prayer.”

Establishing prayer is among the greatest ways of holding fast to the Book.

Likewise, He says:

“Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and call upon Us in hope and fear.”

Their calling upon Him in hope and fear is itself among those good deeds. There are many such examples in the Quran.

Sometimes, in this type of expression, one thing is included within the other but is mentioned alongside it to single it out for special mention, since it is required both under the general meaning and in its own specific capacity. At other times, a term’s scope varies depending on whether it occurs alone or alongside another term: when used alone, its meaning is general; when paired with another, its meaning is specific. Examples are the terms “poor” and “needy”: when