The importance of displaying sincerity, as well as the need to match the external deeds of the body with the internal deeds of the heart

According to Mu’awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), it is reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Indeed, deeds are like the contents of a vessel, and if the contents are good from below, then what is on top will also be good. And if the contents from below are unusable, then what is above * will also become unusable. “
Ibn Majah (4199), Saheeh al-Jami ‘(2320).

Al-Munawi said: “The essence of this comparison is that external actions indicate an internal state. And the one whose secret side (intention) is good, then his external deeds will also be good.

If deeds are accompanied by the sincerity of the heart, which is a condition for accepting the deed, then its light will illuminate the deeds of the body. And if window dressing and the like are mixed with deeds, then darkness will cover him, which even discerning people will see ”.
See Faid al-Qadir (2/708).

As-San’ani said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave this example to compare deeds and intentions, indicating that if a person’s intention is good, then his actions will be good, since intention is the basis and support.

And if that which is below (heart) becomes worthless, then that which is above (deeds) will also become worthless, since if the deeds are righteous, they will not be beneficial if the intention is not good ”.
See “at-Tanuir” 4/166

Abu-l-Hasan as-Sindi said: “As if in this hadith there is an indication that the main essence of everything is where the deeds will end”.
See Hashiya ‘ala Ibn Majah (4/468).

What Imam al-Sindi said is directly confirmed by another version of this hadith, which says: “ Indeed, deeds are evaluated at their completion and they are like the contents of a vessel. If what is below is good, then what is above will also become good, and if what is below becomes bad, what is above will also become bad . “
Abu Ya’la (7362). Isnad hadith is excellent. See “Tahrij Musnad Abi Ya’la” (13/348).

And the third version of this great hadith says: “Indeed, only trials and troubles remained of this world. And verily, your deeds are like the contents of a vessel. If what is below is good, then what is above will also become good, and if what is below becomes bad, what is above will become bad as well.
Ahmad (4/94). Isnad hadith is good. See Tahrij al-Musnad (16899).