The Twenty-First Flash

The second means of attaining ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status. is to attain the state of hudūrThe awareness of being in the presence and under the watch of Allah. through the power of īmān-i tahqīqīVerified faith; a firm and deeply rooted belief in Allah based on knowledge, reflection, and personal conviction, rather than mere imitation or unquestioning acceptance. and the illumination gained by contemplating created beings as works of art and thereby coming to know their Maker. Through this contemplation, one becomes conscious that the Merciful Creator, with all His Names and attributes, is present everywhere and sees all things. Consequently, one ceases to seek the regard of anyone other than Him and realises that, in His presence, it is improper to turn towards others and look to them for assistance. In this way, one may be delivered from riyāDisplaying piety to impress others rather than seeking Allah’s pleasure; the opposite of ikhlās. and attain ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status..

This matter admits of various degrees and stages, from which everyone may benefit according to their own circumstances. Since the Risale-i Nur contains many truths that deliver people from riyāDisplaying piety to impress others rather than seeking Allah’s pleasure; the opposite of ikhlās. and lead them towards ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status., we shall leave the matter to those truths and conclude our discussion here.

We shall now briefly mention some of the many causes that destroy ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status. and give rise to riyāDisplaying piety to impress others rather than seeking Allah’s pleasure; the opposite of ikhlās..

The First Cause

The first cause is rivalry arising from material benefits. Such rivalry gradually destroys ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status., diminishes the fruits of service, and ultimately deprives a person even of the material benefits he seeks.

Indeed, the Muslim community has always held those who labour in the service of Islam and the Hereafter in high esteem and has extended assistance to them. Wishing to share, to some extent, in the service they render with sincerity and heartfelt devotion, the community has respectfully supported them through alms and gifts, so that they need not devote their time to securing their livelihood.

Such assistance, however, must not be sought; it is given without being requested. One must not even seek it indirectly through one's conduct, nor inwardly desire it. Rather, it should come unsolicited and without expectation. Otherwise, the ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status. of the one who desires it is impaired. He falls under the prohibition expressed in the verse:

وَلاَ تَشْتَرُوا بِاٰيَاتِى ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاًAnd do not exchange My verses for a small price. — The Qur’an 2:41

and the service he renders is, to some extent, undermined.

Indeed, when a person seeks material benefits in return for his service, his nafs-i ammārahThe aspect of the soul that incites a person toward evil and harbors negative traits and desires., driven by selfishness, arouses feelings of rivalry towards his brother, lest those benefits pass to someone else. Consequently, his ikhlāsSincerity in worship, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and avoiding the pursuit of fame or status. is impaired, and the purity of his service is compromised. He falls into a pitiable state in the eyes of those who seek the truth. Ultimately, even the material benefits he sought elude him.

This matter deserves extensive discussion. I shall, however, be brief and mention only two examples that will strengthen sincerity and genuine unity among my true brothers.