Ikhlās (Sincerity)

Those who walk the straight path direct themselves, through the elevated principles of the heart and intellect, toward the fruits and perfections of the Hereafter and toward the realities of the true future. This should naturally produce firm istiqāmahSteadfast adherence to Allah’s commands while avoiding excess and deficiency., perfect ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status., and strong unity. Yet despite this, unity and sincerity are lost because they cannot free themselves from egoism and, through ifrātExcess or overindulgence. and tafrītDeficiency or neglect; falling short of the proper measure., forfeit the lofty source of strength that lies in solidarity. As a result, ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status. is weakened, their duties related to the Hereafter are harmed, and attaining the pleasure of Allah becomes difficult.

The remedy for this serious illness, and the means of acquiring ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status. and fulfilling the duties of the Hereafter as they ought to be fulfilled, is as follows:

In accordance with the principle

اَلْحُبُّ فِى اللّٰهِLove for the sake of Allah.

you should take pride in accompanying those who walk the path of truth, gladly follow them, and willingly grant them the honour of leadership. You should consider it entirely possible that anyone walking in the service of Islam may be better than yourself, thereby freeing yourself from egoism and attaining ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status.. Know that even the smallest deed performed with ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status. is superior to countless deeds lacking ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status.. Likewise, prefer the position of being a follower over that of being a leader, for leadership carries responsibility and risk. In this way, you may attain ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status. and properly fulfil your duties concerning the Hereafter.

The Fourth Reason

The disagreement among those who follow the right path does not arise from a lack of foresight or concern for the consequences of their actions, just as the sincere unity among those who have gone astray does not arise from far-sightedness or elevated insight.

Rather, those who are rightly guided do not surrender to the blind impulses of the nafsThe aspect of the soul associated with lower desires and negative traits., but follow the inclinations of the heart and intellect, which are mindful of the future. Yet because they fail to preserve istiqāma and ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status., they are unable to maintain that lofty station and consequently fall into disagreement.

Those who have gone astray, by contrast, are influenced by the nafsThe aspect of the soul associated with lower desires and negative traits., vain desires, and emotions that are blind to consequences and that prefer an ounce of immediate pleasure over lasting future joy. For the sake of instant benefit and present enjoyment, they form strong and sincere alliances. Indeed, those who worship their own desires and are devoid of higher concern unite wholeheartedly around worldly gain and immediate advantage.