How to Maintain Sincerity in Actions?

Maintaining sincerity (Ikhlas) in all actions, from acts of worship to daily life activities, is one of the most crucial and challenging goals for every Muslim. Ikhlas, linguistically, means purity and refinement. In the Quranic and Islamic context, it signifies that a person performs all their deeds solely and exclusively for the pleasure of Allah Almighty, without any trace of showing off (Riya'), seeking fame, or gaining worldly benefits. The Holy Quran explicitly emphasizes the importance of sincerity and considers it a condition for the acceptance of deeds. Without sincerity, even the grandest and most elaborate actions may be deemed worthless in the sight of Allah, because it is the intention of the heart that gives value to an action, not merely its outward form. numerous verses in the Quran directly and indirectly refer to sincerity. For example, in Surah Az-Zumar, verse 2, Allah states: “Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book in truth, so worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.” This verse indicates that the primary purpose of the Quran's revelation is to guide humanity towards sincere and unblemished worship. Furthermore, in Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, we read: “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakat. And that is the correct religion.” This verse explicitly states that the foundation of a firm and upright religion is sincere servitude to Allah, and sincerity is an essential condition for the acceptance of prayer, zakat, and all acts of worship. Preserving sincerity is a lifelong journey that requires continuous effort and awareness. One of the greatest obstacles to sincerity is 'Riya' (showing off), which means performing an act to be seen by others. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) referred to Riya' as 'hidden shirk' (minor polytheism), because in it, a person dedicates a portion of their attention and action to other than Allah. To maintain sincerity, one can take several practical and spiritual steps: 1. Constant Review of Intention: Before undertaking any action, examine your intention. Ask yourself: 'Why am I doing this? Is my sole aim the pleasure of Allah?' This self-awareness and spiritual introspection serve as a strong barrier against the infiltration of Riya' and worldly motives. This process should continue not only before the action but also during its performance and even after its completion. Intention should always act like an internal compass, guiding the direction of our deeds towards divine pleasure. 2. Concealing Good Deeds: As far as possible and where religiously permissible, perform good deeds in secret. For instance, giving charity secretly, performing night prayers (Tahajjud), or helping those in need without drawing attention to oneself. Performing good deeds in private helps a person avoid the pitfalls of showing off and the desire for others' praise, focusing solely on Allah's reward and pleasure. Of course, this does not mean discouraging public acts that aim to inspire others to do good, but rather emphasizing the personal aspect and protecting one's intention. 3. Reflecting on Allah's Grandeur and One's Humility: Whenever you feel the temptation of Riya' approaching, contemplate the greatness and majesty of Allah. Understanding that all power, success, and ability to perform any act come from Him leads to humility and keeps a person away from arrogance and self-admiration, which are roots of Riya'. If the Creator is the owner of everything, what value can the praise of creation hold? 4. Seeking Refuge in Dua (Supplication) and Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness): Ask Allah to purify your intentions and protect you from the evil of Riya' and self-conceit. Many supplications have been narrated from the Prophet (PBUH) and the infallible Imams (AS), in which one asks Allah to safeguard them from hidden shirk. For example, the supplication: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika an ushrika bika shai'an wa ana a'lam, wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lam' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know). 5. Focusing on the Hereafter's Reward: Instead of seeking people's encouragement and approval, focus on Allah's unending rewards in the Hereafter. Understanding that worldly praises are fleeting and worthless, while Allah's reward is lasting and eternal, creates a great incentive to maintain sincerity. A sincere deed is the provision one takes to the Hereafter, and it is only there that its true value will be revealed. 6. Associating with Sincere Individuals: Keeping company with those whose sincerity is evident in their actions and words can have a positive impact on one's spirit. Seeing practical examples of sincerity inspires emulation and pursuit of this moral virtue. Such individuals typically prioritize the inner essence of their actions over their outward appearance. 7. Reflecting on the Transience of This World: This world and everything in it are mortal and temporary. Fame, wealth, and status are all transient. By remembering this truth, one's heart's attachment to these worldly matters diminishes, and attention shifts more towards the permanence of righteous deeds and sincerity within them. Sincerity is the bridge that connects a person from the transient world to the eternal realm. 8. Reliance on Allah (Tawakkul): Complete reliance on Allah and the belief that He is All-Seeing and All-Knowing helps a person free themselves from worrying about people's judgments and focus solely on the Creator's pleasure. One who relies on Allah knows that the true reward is with Him and there is no need for the approval of creations. Ultimately, sincerity is not only a condition for the acceptance of deeds but also brings peace to the human heart. A sincere person is freed from the burden of worrying about people's opinions and attains inner tranquility. They are neither overjoyed by praise nor saddened by blame, for their entire focus is on the One who is closer to them than their jugular vein and is aware of every intention. This path may be difficult, but its reward is Allah's eternal pleasure and boundless success in this world and the Hereafter.