To Dedicate Religion Solely to Allah...
(Lord), You alone We do worship and from You alone we do seek assistance.
The word "Ikhlas," which is briefly translated as sincerity in some interpretations as dedicating one's religion solely to Allah, is explained in the work "Al-Mufradat" by the Arabic linguist al-Raghib al-Isfahani as distancing oneself from and turning away from everything other than God Almighty .
To dedicate/devote/consecrate religion solely to Allah, recognizing no source of authority other than God in religious matters, is the essence of Tawhid (Oneness of God). The fundamental difference between Shirk (polytheism) and Tawhid is the dedication of religion to Allah. Without it, there is no Tawhid. Acts of worship, slogans, and claims are merely indications (signs) of the existence of Tawhid, not proof. The conclusive proof is the dedication of religion and worship to God. This is why the Quran emphatically emphasizes the dedication of religion to Allah.
We have revealed the Book to you in all truth. Worship Allah and be devoted to His religion.
Say, "I have been commanded to serve Allah, dedicating my worship entirely to Him.
Say, "I worship Allah alone and devote myself to His religion.
Say, “My Lord commands justice, and to stand devoted at every place of worship. So call upon Him, and dedicate your faith to Him alone. Just as He originated you, so you will return.”
Worship Allah and be devoted to His religion even though the disbelievers dislike this.
He is the Ever Living, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), so invoke Him making your worship pure for Him Alone (by worshipping Him Alone, and none else, and by doing righteous deeds sincerely for Allah's sake only, and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship). All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat: and that is the right religion.
Say, "Dispute you with us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds. And we are sincere to Him in worship and obedience (i.e. we worship Him Alone and none else, and we obey His Orders)."
According to the narration of Abdullah ibn Zubayr (ra), when the prayer was over, the Prophet Muhammad would supplicate as follows:
“There is no god but Allah, the One. He has no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He is All-Powerful. Power and strength belong to Allah alone. There is no god but Allah. We worship only Him. The blessings are His, the virtues are His, and all praise is His. There is no god but Allah. Religion, with sincerity, belongs only to Him, even if the disbelievers dislike it …”
The following verses illustrate how ungrateful humans can be, showing how they dedicate their faith to God during difficult times, only to forget it once the hardship is over.
When they embark in the ships they call upon Allah, consecrating their faith to Him. But when He rescues them and brings them to land, they suddenly begin to associate others with Allah in His Divinity
When waves engulf them (in the sea) like canopies, they call upon Allah, consecrating their faith solely to Him. But when He delivers them safely to the land, some of them become lukewarm. None denies Our Signs except the perfidious, the ungrateful.
22. It is He who transports you across land and sea. Until, when you are on ships, sailing in a favorable wind, and rejoicing in it, a raging wind arrives. The waves surge over them from every side, and they realize that they are besieged. Thereupon they pray to Allah, professing sincere devotion to Him: “If You save us from this, we will be among the appreciative(grateful).”
23. But when He delivered them, behold! They rebel (disobey Allah) in the earth wrongfully. O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your ownselves, - a brief enjoyment of this worldly life, then (in the end) unto Us is your return, and We shall inform you that which you used to do.