Who are you trying to Please?

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The Degree of Sincerity

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being True (in faith); to establish regular Prayer; and to practice regular Charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight." (98:5)

Conditions for the deed to be accepted

1. Actions to be done sincerely for the sake of Allah.
2. Deeds to be correct. Correct means which adheres to the teachings in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw)

Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended…" (Bukhari)

A person travelling with all his provisions and not benefitting anything from it is an example of a person who does his deeds which are not adhering to the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw).

A sincere deed is one which is performed without any element of Arrogance and Show-off.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Verily it is We Who have revealed the Book to thee in Truth: so serve Allah, offering Him sincere devotion." (39:2)

"..whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner." (18:110)

"A devout person in someone who conceals things that are good, in the same manner that he would conceal things that are bad."

Tips to Attain Sincerity

1. Allah is always watching us. (Ihsan)
2. Please only Allah when doing any action.
3. To conceal the good deed we do.

Virtues of Sincerity

1. Reward will be magnified
2. Rescuing the slave during hardships. E.g. story of the 3 man in the cave.
3. Guarding oneself from Satan.
4. Winning Paradise

The Signs of Sincerity

1. To have good intentions before the task, in between the task (satan may whisper) and at the end of the task (why did we do it). Renew our intention from time to time.
2. To perfect one's duty in public and in private.
3. To welcome advice from friends.
4. To be constantly mindful of one's shortcomings, and to advise or wish others well.
5. To fee our contribution is minimal compared to others.
6. To love performing the Fajr, Isha and night prayers in congregation.
7. To prefer giving charity in secret.
8. Dislike being praised.

Abu Huraira (ra) narrates that the Prophet (saw) said: "Three categories of people will be the first to be thrown into Hell-fire: a scholar who taught people merely to be praised as a scholar; a generous person who gave charity just to be called generous; and a person who participates in Jihad to be recognized as brave." (Tirmidhi)

"Learn about intentions, for their importance is greater than the importance of actions." Yahya Ibn Abu Kathir

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