Page 86 - The Worst Slander: Idolatry

84 THE WORST SLANDER: IDOLATRY

Insincerity

What we mean by the concept of insincerity is refusing
to abide by the facts and even acting in the opposite way
although one learns and understands them, in order to pre-
serve their worldly interests. Those who read the Qur'an
properly and have reason and a conscience can easily
understand what type of behavior and morality pleases
Allah. After acquiring this knowledge, they are expected to
abide by it and shape their life around it according to their
level of sincerity.
Those who are insincere can abandon these truths in an
instant for the sake of small benefits and advantages.
Chasing after their worldly desires, greed, and passions,
they exceed the bounds that Allah has established for
humanity. Ignoring His commands and prohibitions, they
live for this world and exchange the Hereafter for next to
nothing.
Those who ascribe equals to Allah cannot overcome this
great sin until they abandon their incorrect worldview and
repent. No change occurs even if they exhibit the greatest
scrupulousness with regard to those matters that do not
conflict with their worldly interests. For example, observing
many religious observances may be of no benefit if they
deliberately ignore even one of His commands—if they
neglect to perform the five regular prayers, for instance. If
they continue to follow this path wholeheartedly, they
become idolaters. Since they pick and choose which of His
commands they will follow, they have unwisely turned their
desires into deities. Unless the idolaters do not repent and