Ikhlās I (Sincerity I)

Ikhlās (Sincerity)

“Possessing a high spiritual rank and piety is like a diamond belonging to infinite and eternal life, yet you did not become jealous of him over that. Worldly strength can be found in an ox, and courage in wild animals. Compared with spiritual rank and piety, these worldly qualities are like a cheap piece of glass beside a diamond.”

That friend replied:

“In this world, both of us have fixed our gaze on one point, on the same position. The steps leading to it include strength and courage, and that is why I became jealous of him. As for the ranks of the Hereafter, they are countless. Although he is my enemy in this world, there he may be my sincere and beloved brother.”

O seekers of truth and O Sufis!

Serving Islam is like carrying and protecting a precious and heavy treasure. The more people come to help those who carry that treasure, the happier and more pleased they should be. Instead of being jealous, they should greet the help of stronger and more influential newcomers with deep affection and pride. Why, then, should those true brothers and sincere helpers be viewed with a competitive attitude, causing ikhlās to be lost? Moreover, in the eyes of the misguided, you will face serious accusations, such as pursuing worldly aims under the guise of religion, earning a livelihood through knowledge of the truths of faith, and competing with others out of greed.

The only cure for this disease is to accuse your own nafs and never take its side, but rather take the side of your Muslim brother who works for the same aims as you. The following principle of justice and fairness is well known among the scholars of debate and etiquette:

“When a person in a debate is pleased that he is right and satisfied that his opponent is wrong, he acts unjustly.”

Moreover, this may cause him harm. Since he is already right in the debate, he learns nothing new and risks falling into pride. If, however, his opponent proves to be right, this causes him no harm; rather, it allows him to gain new knowledge and protects him from pride. Therefore, one who seeks justice must set aside the desires of his nafs for the sake of truth. If he sees the truth in the hand of his opponent, he should accept it with satisfaction.

If those who serve Islam, those who seek the truth, Sufis, and scholars take this principle as their guide, they will attain ikhlās, succeed in their duties relating to the Hereafter, and, by the mercy of Allah, be saved from the grievous loss and wretched condition they are presently suffering.

سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَٓا اِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَٓا اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْعَلٖيمُ الْحَكٖيمُ