TAG: Ikhlas
Hide Good Deeds, Just As You Hide Bad Deeds
Ikhlas (Sincerity) is probably the most difficult of all actions in Islam. Sincerity in seeking Allah’s pleasure alone in all our deeds requires a high level of consciousness of our Creator that must be consistent over time. More often than not, we fall into the problem of Riya (showoff), where our deeds are really for the sake of people than for the sake of Allah.
Sheikh Abdul Malik Ar-Ramadani mentions some narrations on this subject from the righteous people of the past in his book Sittu Durar:
Ikhlas is “when the servant’s internal and external actions are the same. And Riya is when the external actions are better than the internal actions (of the heart). Truthfulness in one’s sincerity is when the internal is better (developed) than the external.” (Madarij-us-Salikeen, 2/91)
Bilal Bin Sa’d said, “Do not be a wali (friend) of Allah outwardly, yet an enemy to Him internally.” (Ahmad in Az-Zuhd, Abu Nu’aym in Al-Hilyah)
It has been stated, “Ikhlas is that you do not request anyone to witness your action except Allah and that you do not seek anyone to reward you (for it) except Him.”
Salamah Bin Dinar said, “Hide your good deeds (from the people) just like you hide your evil deeds”. (Abu Nu’aym, Bayhaqi) And in a narration in Al-Bayhaqi, “Hide your good deed like you hide your evil deed, and do not be delighted at your own action, for you do not know whether you are happy or wretched (in the Hereafter).”
It has been stated in the definition of Ikhlas, “It is to single out Allah in one’s intention (qasd) in one’s obedience (to Him).”
Hammad Bin Zaid said, “I used to walk with Ayyoob (As-Sakhtiyani) and he would take me through different routes. I would be surprised at how he would guide himself through them, fleeing from (being seen by) the people who might say, ‘This is Ayyoob.’”
He also said, “Ayyoob used to take me via a route that was the longest and I would say “But this one is closer.” He would reply, “I fear (passing by these) gatherings.” When he would pass by them and give salams, they would reply to him with more than what (they would do for) others. So he would say, ‘O Allah, you know that I did not desire this! O Allah, you know that I did not desire this.’” (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Fasawi)
Abu Zur’ah Bin Abi Amr said, “Ad-Dahhak Bin Qays came out and made the prayer for rain with the people, but they were not granted rain, and nor did they see any clouds come. Ad-Dahhak said, “Where is Yazeed Bin Al-Aswad?” (And in a narration, “But nobody answered him!”. He then said again, “Where is Yazeed Bin Al-Aswad Al-Jurashee?” And I was insistent on calling him that if he was to hear my words he would get up.)
“Here I am,” he said. So (Ad-Dahhak) said, “Stand and intercede with Allah on our behalf, that he should grant us rain.” So Yazeed stood up, made his face pointed in the direction of his feet, and made his head sink into his shoulders (out of humility). He then said, “O Allah, these servants of yours sought intercession through me from You.
So he had not called upon Allah three times except that the people were granted rain in such abundance that they almost drowned on account of it.
Then Yazeed said, “O Allah, this one made a show of me (i.e. Ad-Dahhak, by asking him and calling him out), so grant me freedom from this (fame).”
Yazeed did not live except for the next Jumuah.
Ikhlas – A Commandment of Allah
Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon him): “Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exist). He has no partner. And of this, I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.“ (Qur’an, 6:162-163)
In defining Ikhlas (sincerity), Al-Jurjani said it is not to seek any audience for your deeds other than Allah.
Allah said: “Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.” (Qur’an, 67:2)
Commenting on this verse, Al-Fudayl Ibn ‘Iyaadh said, “It is those deeds that are most correct and most sincere.”
The students asked, “What are deeds that are correct and sincere?”
He replied, “If a deed is done sincerely, yet is not done correctly, it will not be accepted. And if a deed is done correctly, but not sincerely for Allah, it will not be accepted. It must be done sincerely and correctly. Sincerely – for Allah alone. Correctly – in accordance with the Sunnah.”
What contradicts Ikhlas
Riyaa’ – to perform an act of worship with the intention of showing it off to people, seeking their praise.
Sum’ah – verbal statements that a person makes for the sake of people. An example of someone making ballooned talks just so others will think highly of him.
‘Ujb – when a person becomes impressed with the ‘great’ deeds he has done.
All these are viruses that can kill our deeds and turn them against us on the Day of Resurrection.
Ya’qoob Al-Makfoof Rahimahullah used to say, “The sincere one is he who hides his good deeds in the same way that he would hide his bad.”
Insincerity is something very dangerous and can lead a person to ruin.
Ibnul Qayyim Rahimahullah said, “Deeds without sincerity are like a traveler who carries dirt in his water jug. The carrying of it burdens him and it brings no benefit.”
May Allah make us all from those whose deeds are done in accordance with the Sunnah, deeds that are done sincerely for His sake alone.
Importance Of Prayer
The importance of prayer in Islam cannot be understated. It is the first pillar of Islam that the Prophet, may Allah praise him, mentioned after mentioning the Testimony of Faith, by which one becomes a Muslim. It was made obligatory upon all the prophets and for all peoples. Allah has declared its obligatory status under majestic circumstances. For example, when Allah spoke directly to Prophet Moses, He said,
“And I have chosen you, so listen to that which is inspired to you. Verily, I am God! There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and offer prayer perfectly for My remembrance.” (Quran 20:13-14)
Similarly, the prayers were made obligatory upon the Prophet Muhammad during his ascension to heaven. Furthermore, when Allah praises the believers, such as at the beginning of the chapter entitled ‘al-Muminoon’ (The Believers), one of the first descriptions He states is their adherence to the prayers.
Once a man asked the Prophet about the most virtuous deed. The Prophet stated that the most virtuous deed is prayer. The man asked again and again and for the first three times, the Prophet answered, “The prayer,” then on the fourth occasion he stated, “Jihad in the way of Allah.”
The importance of prayer is demonstrated in many of the Prophet’s statements. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is incomplete, then the rest of his deeds will be incomplete.”
The importance of the prayers lies in the fact that no matter what actions one performs in his life, the most important aspect is one’s relationship to Allah, that is, one’s faith (Imaan), Allah-consciousness (taqwa), sincerity (ikhlas) and worship of Allah (ibaadah). This relationship with Allah is both demonstrated and put into practice, as well as improved and increased, by prayer. Therefore, if the prayers are sound and proper, the rest of the deeds will be sound and proper; and if the prayers are not sound and proper, then the rest of the deeds will not be sound and proper, as the Prophet himself stated.