Why Sincerity Is Really Important and How to Achieve It

Verily, We have sent down the Book to you in truth: So worship Allah (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah’s sake only, (and not to show-off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship) – Qur’an 39[Az-Zumar]:2

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In Islam, sincerity is a great virtue that guides our daily lives and acts of worship. In fact, you cannot be successful in this life and the hereafter without having this element of sincerity in your deeds. This matter is one key ingredient lacking in the ummah -Muslim Community- today. Our higgledy-piggledy state cannot be restored without sincerity. The importance of this matter is what makes it incumbent to discuss. Many of us struggle with it and we ask Allah to purify our hearts. Hence, it’s essential to pay attention to this subject at all times whenever actions are being executed.

For us to understand this issue explicitly, let’s examine an illustrious story involving the famous companion AbdurRahman Ibn Sakhar popularly known as Abu Hurayrah. Shufayyah Al-Asbahi narrates that he made his way to Madinah and went to the prophet’s mosque. So he saw a man whom people gathered around listening to him. Then he asked: ‘who is this man?’ and he was told that’s Abu Hurayrah. He sat down in the gathering of knowledge and listened until the end. After everyone had left, he approached Abu Hurayrah and told him: I ask you with the fullness of my heart that you should tell me a narration you’ve learned from the Messenger of Allah and you fully comprehend.

Now let’s pay attention to what transpired thereafter. Abu Hurayrah responded: I’m about to tell you a narration I heard directly from the Messenger of Allah which I fully understood. Shufayyah then mentioned that Abu Hurayrah’s breathing became irregular. Then he gained consciousness and tried to narrate the Hadith. The second time, Abu Hurayrah passed out and then Shufayyah supported him to get up until he gained consciousness. Then he narrated this Hadith which implicitly indicated the punishment for insincerity.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “The first to be judged on the Day of Judgment is a man who was martyred. He will be brought and Allah will remind him of His favor [upon him], which he will recognize. Allah will say: ‘What did you do as a token of gratitude for that favor?’ He will say: ‘I fought for Your sake until I was martyred.’ Allah will say: ‘You have lied. You fought so it would be said that you were brave, and it was said.’ It will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is thrown in the Fire. A man who acquired knowledge, taught it, and recited the Qur’an. He will be brought and Allah will remind him of His favor [upon him], which he will recognize. Allah will say: ‘What did you do as a token of gratitude for that favor?’ He will say: ‘I acquired knowledge and taught it, and I recited the Qur’an for Your sake.’ Allah will say: ‘You have lied. You learned so it would be said that you were a scholar, and you recited the Qur’an so it would be said that you were a reciter, and that was said.’ It will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is thrown in the Fire. A man for whom Allah expanded his resources and gave him from all types of wealth. He will be brought and Allah will remind him of His favor [upon him], which he will recognize. Allah will say: ‘What did you do as a token of gratitude for that favor?’ He will say: ‘I left no path wherein You love to spend except that I spent therein for Your sake.’ Allah will say: ‘You have lied. You did that so it would be said that you were generous, and that was said.’ It will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is thrown in the Fire.” – Muslim

Imagine how Abu Hurayrah struggled to narrate the hadith. It’s because he understood the intensity of the matter he was narrating. All these three people were thrown into the fire because of their insincerity and showoff. Is there anyone of us who is not affected by this today?

What are the benefits of Sincerity?

Since we’ve fully understood the harm that comes from insincerity. It’s important to now examine the goods that could be attained by being sincere.

• Sincerity establishes your eeman: The life we’re living is a test and Allah wants to know who is a truthful servant of His. It’s sincerity that will bail you out on this.

Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested? – Qur’an 29[Al-Ankabut]:2

• Sincerity will grant you accepted Dua’: Remember the story of the three men who were traveling and sought shelter in the cave. While I’m there, they got trapped with a boulder covering the exit. One of them said to the rest, nothing will save us today except a good deed we’ve done sincerely. Each of them did tawassul and Allah accepted their prayers.
• Sincerity will earn you forgiveness: Many of us know the story of the prostitute who quenched the thirst of a dog and Allah grant her forgiveness. It was her sincerity while carrying out that action that Allah loved and showered His Mercy on her. There’s also this famous Hadith of a man who had himself cremated because he feared Allah would resurrect him to punish him for his sins. So, Allah knew his fear was sincere and thereby forgave him.
• Only deeds of sincerity will be accepted by Allah: It’s no longer news that the two conditions for acceptance of deeds are: sincerity and prophetic methodology. Recall, all actions will be judged by intention, and everyone will get that which they intend.

Say: “Verily, my prayer,my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds– Qur’an 6[Al-An’am]:162

• Sincerity amplifies or diminishes your deeds: Abdullah Ibn Mubarak said: “you might execute a small action but the intention makes it huge. And there may be a huge action but the intention makes it worthless.” The story of prophet Ibrahim and how he called people to hajj was a fruit of sincerity. Imagine how many people have been answering that call for thousands of years.

How Can We Attain Sincerity?

This matter of sincerity isn’t an easy one and I honestly struggle with it myself. I Ask Allah to rectify our hearts and forgive us where we err. It’s a matter of the heart, so have to consciously work to build a sublime character. Here are a few tips to check yourself and improve your sincerity.

1. Be intentional in everything you do. Set out with a good intention — to please Allah Alone.
2. Remember the favors of Allah upon you and express gratitude. Bear in mind that the one who blessed you today can take you away at any time.
3. Know that people don’t matter when it has to do with Allah. He’s not in need of us, it’s us who need him.
4. Consider lowering your wings of pride in order to avoid arrogance.
5. Do not feel secure about anything be it wealth, power, or knowledge.
6. Hide your good deeds the way you’d not like people to know of your sins.
7. Recall the adverse effects of Ar-Riyaa; a form of shirk that will cost you all your reward and earn you the wrath of Allah.
8. Make fervent Dua’ that Allah should safeguard you. Allah’s Apostle taught us to supplicate: “Oh Allah! I ask you to protect me from associating partners with you whilst I know. And I ask you to forgive me for what I don't know”.
9. Avert fame to the best of your capability. Some of the Salafs used to say: ‘Not true to Allah is a person who loves fame’.
10. Don’t give up on yourself because you will falter. It’s a continuous struggle. Continue to purify your intention, continue to repent, and continue to ask Allah for acceptance of deeds.

Yaumul Jum’ah 15th Jumadal ‘Ula 1444 AH // Friday 9th December 2022.

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