“Say, “It is (only) Allah that I worship, being sincere in my devotion to Him” (39:14).
Ikhlāṣ is the foundation of our religion. Ikhlāṣ, often translated as sincerity, refers to doing everything solely for the sake of Allah. Ikhlāṣ is when you don’t wish for someone other than Allah to see your actions, and you don’t wish for someone other than Him to reward you for them. “Ikhlaas” is an Arabic word for sincerity. There is a Surah (chapter), number 112, named “Ikhlaas” in the Qur’an. It is also called “Tawhid.”The meaning of sincerity is that what the person says and his/her deeds and actions should be for the sake of Allah (SWT) and not to show to the people or to be proud of himself or herself with them. Acceptance of deeds depends on sincerity. Sincerity to Allah (SWT) is a sign of the completeness of faith. Allah (SWT) looks into the heart and what is in it from intentions, not to the appearance or the shape of the deeds. The deeds that the Muslims do are not considered good unless they are done with good intentions and for the sake of Allah (SWT).Only sincere people have the moral courage to criticize the leaders when they do wrong things.
The following two examples illustrate this. (1). When Abi bin Ka’b (RA) recited the Quranic verse no. 110 in Surah 5, Al-Ma’idah, in front of other Sahaba, including Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (RA), the Second Khalifa. Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (RA) rejected the (manner of) recitation of the Qur’anic verse and said, “You have spoken a lie.” Hazrat Abi bin Ka’b (RA) immediately replied, “You are a bigger liar.” Someone interrupted, “You are contradicting Amir-ul-Momineen (commander of the faithful).” Hazrat Ab bin Ka’b (RA) replied, “I pay more regard to the Amir-ul-Momineen when he is right, but I have opposed him in the matter of incorrect pronunciation of Allah’s Book and not contradicted him in the matter of correct pronunciation of the Book. I have heard the Noble Prophet (S.A.W.) reciting this verse in the same manner. And O’ Umar (RA), you remained engaged (busy) in marketing (doing business) at Baqia’. ” Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “You are perfectly right. I had just tried to test whether anybody could speak the truth (before me).” (2) ‘ Abu Muawiya bin Abu Sufiyan (RA) stood upon the pulpit and delivered the Jumuah Khutbah and said, “All the wealth, properties, and booty belong to me, and it is upon me to distribute it to some people and keep others deprived of it.” He repeated these words in his address on the next Friday and on the third Friday also. This time one of the persons present in the Masjid (mosque) got up and said, “It can never happen; so far all the income, property, and booty belong to none but us, and one who stands between these things and us will be dealt with by our swords.” Hazrat Muawiya (RA) got down from his pulpit, called the person, and took him to his house after the prayers. The people in general thought that his days are numbered but when they entered the house of Hazrat Muawiya (RA), they saw that person sitting beside Hazrat Muawiya (RA) on his throne. Hazrat Muawiya told the people “He has enlightened my soul today; may Allah keep him alive. I have heard the Noble Prophet (S.A.W.) saying, “Soon after me, some Amirs will emerge who will say something (against Shariah) and will not be rejected by people. Such Amirs will enter Hell like monkeys. I had certainly addressed the people on a Friday, but nobody interrupted me. I became apprehensive (viewing the future with anxiety) about whether I would have been among such Amirs (who will enter Hell).I addressed you again on the next Friday, but none of you contradicted me.I thought I was certainly one among them (i.e., hellish). Then I repeated the same address on the third Friday, and then this man got up and contradicted me. Thus, he has given me a new lease of life; may Allah (SWT) confer upon him a long life. (Al-Haithmi, Vol. V, p. 238).
In today’s world if any Muslim criticizes the ruler of a Muslim country, then he or she will be accused of creating a “FITNA” and will be punished, sometimes severely. When you fight for your rights or speak the truth, which is bitter to the wrongdoers, you will be labeled as a “TROUBLEMAKER.”The good examples are Hasaan al-Banna and Syed Qutb of Ikhwanul Muslimeen (the Muslim Brotherhood). The ingredient that we all need to work on throughout our lives as Muslims is Ikhlaas (sincerity). Sincerity in all we do is a commandment of Allah:Say, “Indeed my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first (among you) of the Muslims.” Surah Al-An’aam 6:162, 163. “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakah. That is the correct Deen.”Surah Bayyinah, 98:5.In defining Ikhlaas, Al-Jurjaani—rahimahullaah—said that it is not to seek any audience for your deeds other than Allah. When one looks over the text of the Qur’aan and Sunnah, they will come to the realization that Allah Ta’aala and His Messenger—(salAllahu alayhi wa Sallam)—speak about sincerity in different aspects:Sincerity in the Tawheed of Allah and sincerity in our intentions.
“Striving for sincerity in one’s faith, actions, and beliefs is a challenge that many Muslims face. The user highlights a path to help improve this sincerity, suggesting that it can be achieved through a combination of deepening one’s understanding of Islam, regularly performing beneficial actions for others, maintaining a consistent and dedicated practice of worship and sharing the religion with others.The user’s perspective suggests that these practices, when combined, can be a beneficial way to strengthen one’s sincerity and commitment as a Muslim.”
Sincerity in our worship, such as in Salah, Sujood, fasting, standing in Ramadan, standing in the night of Qadr, sincere love for the Masjid, Zakah, Sadaqah, Hajj, Jihaad, repentance, supplications, recitation of the Qur’aan, and so much more. The Qur’aan and Sunnah speak about sincerity in all our verbal statements, sincerity in our refined and upright Akhlaaq (character), sincerity in our Tawakkul (placing of our trust) in Allah, and sincerity in all of our actions. Looking at the verse “He who created death and life to test you (as to) which of you is best indeed,” Surah Al-Mulk, 67:2 we may say that a deed must be done both sincerely and correctly—sincerely, as in for the sake of Allah alone, and correctly, as in accordance with the Sunnah.” “So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord—let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord with anyone.” Surah al-Kahf, 18:110.
With Ikhlaas, one will be saved from Hellfire and granted a lofty position in Jannah. Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that the messenger, Rasoolallah (S.A.W.), said, “Three men were on a journey when they were overtaken by a sandstorm, and therefore they took shelter in a cave. A rock slipped down from the mountain and blocked the entrance, and hence nobody could exit from the cave. One of them said, “The only way for deliverance left is to beseech Allah (SWT) in the name of some virtuous deed.” Thereupon one of them supplicated (made Du’a), “O Lord, my parents were very old; I used to offer them their nightly drink of milk before (in front of) my children and the other members of the family. One day I went astray far away in search of green trees and could return only after my parent had gone to sleep. When I had milked the animals and brought their nightly drink to them, they were fast asleep, but I did not like to disturb them, nor would I give any part of the milk to my children and other members of the family till after my parents had their drink. Thus, with the milk vessel in hand, I awaited their awakening all night till the flash of dawn, while the children cried out of hunger at my feet.
When my parents woke up, they had their drink. O Lord, if I did this thing only to seek your pleasure, then do relieve us of the distress wrought upon us by this rock.” Thereupon, The rock moved a little, but that was not enough to let them pass out. Then the second man supplicated (made Du’a): “O Lord, I had a cousin whom I loved more passionately than anyone who loves a woman. I tried to seduce her, but she would have none of me (that is, she refused his advances), till in a season of great hardship due to famine, she approached me (for help), and I gave her one hundred and twenty dinars (gold coins) on condition that she would have sexual intercourse with me. She agreed, and when we got together and I was just going to have intercourse with her, she pleaded, “Fear Allah, and do not break the seal (hymen) unlawfully,” whereupon I moved away from her, despite the fact that I desired her most passionately, and I let her keep the money that I had given her. O Lord, if I did this thing seeking only your pleasure, then do move the distress in which we find ourselves.”
Again the rock moved a little but not enough to let them pass out. Then the third supplicated (made Du’a): “O Lord, I hired some laborers and paid them their dues, but one of them left, leaving behind what was due to him. That is, he did not take the wages, which were due to him. I invested it (his wages) in business, and the business prospered greatly.” After a lapse of some time, the laborer came back and said, “O servant of Allah, hand over to me my wages. I said to him, “All that you see is yours: the camels, the cattle, the goats, and the slaves.” He said, “Don’t play jokes with me, O servant of Allah.” I assured him, “I am not joking.” So he took all of it, sparing nothing. “O Lord, if I did this seeking only for Your pleasure, do relieve us of our distress.” The rock then moved away, and all three came out of the cave safe and sound.”Indeed, insincerity in our actions is something very dangerous and can lead a person to ruin.Ibn Masood—(radi Allahu ‘anhu)—would advise his students, “If your intention is one of these three, do not seek knowledge: to shame the ignorant, or to argue with the Fuqahaa’, or to cause people to turn their faces in your direction. Intend with your actions and words that which is with Allah, for indeed that which is with Allah shall remain, and everything else shall perish. ”In conclusion, Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said, “Deeds without sincerity are like a traveler who carries in his water jug dirt. The carrying of it burdens him, and it brings no benefit.” A Muslim who is trying to improve his/her sincerity in faith, actions, and belief may find it difficult; however, by seeking knowledge, constantly doing good deeds, worshiping Allah SWT, and calling people to the religion of Islam, it can be beneficial. Narrated by Aisha (RA): Allah’s Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), said, “Do good deeds properly, sincerely, and moderately, and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant, even if it is little.” (Bukhari). We should follow the teachings of Islam and implement them in our lives. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon us always. May Allah Ta’aala make us all follow those whose deeds are done in accordance with the Sunnah, deeds that are done sincerely for the sake of Allah. Ameen!
(The authors write regularly on Islamic topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Dr. Bilal A Bhat
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Intizar Ahmad
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