5 Reasons Why Sincerity Matters

[ummtaalib]

By Sheima Rafiq a student at Rayyan Institute.

 

Ikhlas means sincerity and, as believers, our actions, interactions and deeds are scrutinised closely – each moment recorded. Our eventual return to Allah is a reality we cannot escape from and the weighing of our deeds and their intentions, good and bad, is an event which we cannot help but worry about.

Sincerity matters because all the good we claim to do is of no use if it wasn’t for it. If it wasn’t for sincerity in intentions, then our good is in fact not good at all. While we can attempt to deceive others and perhaps even ourselves, there is no way we can deceive our Creator for He knows our intentions. There is no running from that.

Imam Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) explains sincerity as “the freeing of one's intentions from all impurities in order to become nearer to Allah. It – sincerity in actions -- is to ensure that the intentions behind all acts of worship and obedience to Allah are exclusively for His pleasure”.

Shaykh Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “The servitude of the man is divided over the heart, the tongue and the remaining limbs of the body. From among those issues that are incumbent on the heart there are: sincerity, trust, love, patience, penitence, fear [of Allah], hope, firm belief and true intention. The Ummah has agreed that these actions of the heart are incumbent.”

Here are five reasons why sincerity matters in everything we do:

#1 – Sincerity is a cause for barakah (blessings)

Any permissible act initiated to please Allah Most High augmented with sincere intentions will merit His Barakah; be it from the simplest of tasks to the most demanding. Yet certain conditions apply, for example, it is important to acknowledge that sincere intentions are not a means for justifying unlawful actions.

#2 – Sincerity allows for Divine Guidance

"And Allah increases those who were guided, in guidance, and the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for recourse. (Qur’an 19:76)
It is a no-brainer that in order to be guided it is of utmost importance that our deeds are soaked in sincere intentions. Our success lies in following the path of the righteous and among the habit of our pious predecessors was to condition all their actions with sincerity, for without it, they knew the path to Allah was impossible to tread. 

#3 – Sincerity is demanded by the Qur’an and Sunnah

Allah Most High says in the Qur’an: “Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion.” (39:3)

Purity in one’s religion comes from freeing it from all forms of shirk and all types of ulterior motives, such as ostentation.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Actions are [judged] according to intentions.” (Bukhari)

#4 – Sincerity ensures success both in the dunya (world) and akhirah (hereafter)

Indeed, the consequences of our actions have a deep link with our initial intentions. Our intentions carve the path our actions take. Everything we do is affected by what we have intended. Good intentions result in an up-beat outlook coupled with patience, gratitude and appreciation of our peers.

#5 – Sincerity is a prerequisite to activism and service in Deen

If the intention to serve the Deen is flawed then failure awaits us as our intentions, no matter how great, becomes devoid of any barakah. At times, we will see that arguments may arise or a lack of accomplishment may become apparent at an early stage of our work. Therefore, it is essential to keep in mind that the value of sincerity is indeed immense in our Deen.

Remember, a good intention “converts dust in to gold”. Hence, let us strive to ensure our virtuous deeds are conducted solely to please Allah Most High. Let our deeds radiate the aroma of sincerity, upheld with a strong conviction of true faith.

I invite you to take a few minutes to reflect upon one action you performed today; perhaps one you execute as an accustomed daily habit. Contemplate upon your reasons for conducting that task… What were your reasons? Your intention?
 

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