IKHLAS (SINCERITY OR PURITY OF INTENTION)

 Ikhlas has been interpreted as being upright, sincere, and pure; being distant from show and ostentation in one’s intention and conduct; and being closed to whatever clouds or fouls the heart. Purity of intention, straightforwardness in thought, pursuit of no worldly purposes in one’s relationship with Allah, and loyalty in servitude to Allah are also included here.

Ikhlas requires that one pursues nothing worldly while worshipping and obeying Allah, that one fulfills the duty of servitude only because Allah orders it, and that one remains silent concerning any personal experiences of Allah’s special treatment and special gifts and seek only His approval and pleasure.

 Sincerity is one of the most significant qualities of those most faithful or loyal to Allah; loyalty is regarded as a source, and sincerity as sweet water originating from it. Loyalty or faithfulness is the primary attribute of Prophethood, and sincerity is its most lustrous dimension. Sincerity is innate in the prophets; all other people try to obtain it during their lifetime. Among them, for example, the Qur’an describes the Prophet Musa alaihissalam as one made sincere (19:51).

Faithfulness and sincerity are as intrinsic and essential as air and water are to the prophets and to those who communicate the prophets’ message to others in every age. In addition, they were the prophets’ most important sources of power. The prophets were convinced that they could not take one step forward without sincerity, and the representatives of the cause of prophethood must believe that they will be able to achieve nothing without it. Faithfulness and sincerity are two wings or two deep oceans extending from Divine Favor and Grace to an individual’s heart. One who can sail in these oceans or fly with these wings will reach the destination, for they are under Allah’s protection. Allah values that which is done to please Him, regardless of its apparent size or importance, not the quantity of deeds. Therefore, He values a small deed done with sincerity over many deeds done without sincerity.

Sincerity is an attitude of the heart, and Allah views an individual according to his or her heart’s inclination. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam declares: Assuredly, Allah does not consider your bodies, nor your appearances. Rather, He considers your hearts. Sincerity is a mysterious Divine credit granted to those who are pure-hearted in order to increase what is little and to deepen what is shallow, and to give finite (limited) worship infinite reward. One can use it to purchase the most valuable things in the markets of this world and the next, for it is esteemed, welcomed, and respected where others suffer great misery. This mysterious power of sincerity caused Allah’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, to declare: Be sincere in your religion; little work (with sincerity) is enough for you, and: Be sincere in your deeds, for Allah only accepts what is done with sincerity.

   If we consider a deed to be a body, sincerity is its soul. If a deed represents one wing of pair of wings, sincerity is the other. A body without soul is of no worth, and nothing can fly with only one wing. How fine are Mawlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi’s words:

You should be sincere in all your deeds,

So that the Majestic Lord may accept them.

Sincerity is the wing of the bird of the acts of obedience.

Without a wing, how can you fly to the abode of prosperity?

   The following words of Aboo Yazid al-Bistami are also very apt:

I worshipped Allah for thirty years with all my strength. Then I heard a voice saying: O Aboo Yazid! The treasures of Allah Almighty are full of acts of worship. If you intend to reach Him, see yourself as small at the door of Allah and be sincere in your deeds.

   Also, sincerity involves hiding from others when performing supererogatory deeds and avoiding all show and ostentation.

Self-supervision is an essential dimension of sincerity, and a truly sincere person does not consider any possible spiritual pleasure that may be derived, or speculate upon whether it will ensure entrance to Paradise. Sincerity is a mystery between Allah and a servant, and Allah puts it in the hearts of those He loves. One whose heart is awakened to sincerity does not worry about being praised or accused, exalted or debased, aware or unaware of deeds, or being rewarded. Such a person does not change, and behaves in the same way in public and in private.

The poet was right when he told:

ايمان مرء لا يكون تكاملا               حتى يرى ناسا بابل مثلا

فيكون مدحهم وذمهم سوا        لم يخش لومة لائم في ذي العلى

One’s faith will is incomplete till he considers the people as camels. Then their praise and blame will be same, because he does not fear the blame of the one who blames in the matters of Allah.

This position of mind is attained when one is on the heights of sincerity to Allah.