SINCERERITY (IKHLAAS)
Definition…test
Ikhlaas means to have the intention of only pleasing Allaah Ta’alah in one acts of obedience. The motive must be only to obtain the Proximity and Pleasure of Allaah Ta’alah. This motive must not be contaminated with personal motives of gain or the pleasure of others.
Method of acquisition
The elimination of show and love for name and fame (riya) is precisely the acquisition of Ikhlaas.
Explanation
Nabie (Sallal Allaahu Alayhi waSallam) said: “All actions are judged by their intentions.”
Irrespective of the type and quantity of good deed performed, if it is accompanied by sincerity, it will be permeated with barkat and acceptance. However the highest form of good deed performed in the greatest quantity, if it is accompanied with show or love for fame, it will be devoid of any real benefit to the person. To the extent that a person has acquired sincerity to that extent will a person really benefit through the good actions that are performed.
The stages of sincerity are as follows:
- The highest stage is the rendering of an act only for the sake of Allaah Ta’alah, the motive for the action being absolutely free of anyone else besides Allaah Ta’alah.
- The second degree of sincerity is that the act is rendered to please people however the motive was not to acquire any worldly gain.
- The lowest form of sincerity is to render an act without having any motive, neither Deen nor the world, i.e. the non-existence of show (riyaa).
(Source: Shariat and Tasawwuf by Maseehul Ummat Maulana Muhammad Maseehullah Khan Saheb (RA)