Sincerity (Ikhlas) from the Quran & Sunnah

Sincerity (Ikhlas) is purity or solitude. In religion Islam, it denotes purifying our feelings and intentions to get closer and seek the pleasure of Allah Almighty. Ikhlas is a fundamental concept in Islam. We must have sincerity in our every action and deeds, every action that we performed should be solely for Allah’s sake. If we are sincere then we will be successful in this life and hereafter. In the Holy Quran Allah (SWT) stated: “And they were not commanded except with this: that they should worship Allah, being completely sincere in the Din.” (Quran 98:5)

Allah SWT judges us based on sincerity, in the Holy Quran it is stated that: “Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts, and He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.” (Quran, 2:225)

Allah Almighty specifically uses the word sincere (Mukhlaseen) to describe His servants who will be rewarded: “But the sincere servants of Allah—for them is a sustenance determined.” (Quran, 37:40-41)

Allah SWT relates sincerity to prayers and charity. “And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer, and to practice regular charity; and that is the Religion, right and straight.” (Quran, 98:5)

In Islam, any form of worship that we do, we need sincerity in it. Sincerity cannot be shown when we worship Allah (SWT) but we can create a sense of sincerity through our intentions. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Religion is sincerity, religion is sincerity (Al-Nasihah), religion is sincerity.” They said; “To whom, O Messenger of Allah?” He (SAW) said: “To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the imams of the Muslims and to their common folk.” (An-Nisa’i)

Sincerity is not correct until we are truthful in our speech, action, striving and while we desire nothing but the Face of Allah Almighty and the Home of the Hereafter that will never end. Allah (SWT) says: “And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as it should be strived for while being a believer then his striving will be acknowledged (rewarded).” (Quran, 17:19)

Our inner reality is more important in the eyes of Allah (SWT) than our outer reality. In hadith Holy Prophet (SAW) said: “Allah does not look at your bodies nor does he look at your faces, but He looks at your hearts.” (Bukhari)

Allah Almighty warns us about insincerity in the Holy Quran: “So, woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their prayers—those who want to be seen (of men), but refuse (to supply) neighborly needs.” (Quran, 107: 4-7)

Sincerity completes our faith. Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that sincerity completed our faith. It is written in the hadith below: “Whoever loves for Allah, hates for Allah, gave for Allah and forbade for Allah, then he completed his faith.” (Abu Dawud)

Sincerity is the essential quality that guards our hearts and protects us from the treason of evil spiritual forces. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said in hadith: “There are three traits by which the heart of a Muslim will not be deceived (or consumed by hatred): sincere deeds for Allah, offering goodwill to the leaders of the Muslims, and keeping to their community.” (Tirmidhi)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *