What is sincerity?
Sincerity is to have your intention in a particular action solely for the sake of Allah. It means that you do not desire anything in your actions other than seeking the pleasure of Allah. You do not seek to show off or to attain reputation, or elevation in the eyes of others. You do not anticipate praise from people, nor do you fear their criticism.
If your intention is solely for Allah and you do not adorn your actions for the sake of humans, then you are sincere. Al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyad1, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Performing actions for the sake of people is associating partners with Allah (shirk), abandoning actions for the sake of people is ostentation (riya'), and sincerity is when Allah saves you from both2."
Therefore, dedicate all your actions sincerely to Allah, without seeking the attention of others. Be one of those who are included in the verse that Allah, glorified be He, says:
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ١٦٢
لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ ١٦٣
"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- Anam, :162-163)
1 He is Abu Ali al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyad ibn Mas'ud al-Tamimi al-Yarbu'i. He was born in 105 AH and died in 187 AH. See "Siyar A'lam al-Nubala" (421/8) and "Tabaqat al-Huffaz" by al-Suyuti (110/1)
2 "Hilyat al-Awliya" (95/8)
No comments:
Post a Comment