Page 64 - The School of Yusuf (as)

THE SCHOOL OF YUSUF

We purified their sincerity through sincere remembrance of
the Abode. (Surah Sad, 46)
In this verse, the word “purify” is used. Everything a believer
does is only for the good pleasure of Allah. He has no other goal, or
other to please. For instance, when helping the poor, a believer

does so only to earn Allah’s good pleasure. He does not seek by it
to gain respect in society, to win the approval of others, or to im-
prove his reputation in the business community, whereas a non-re-
ligious person will usually do so with the view of winning
enhanced status or because he can deduct his charitable contribu-
tion from his tax bill. Believers do good only for Allah, because
only right actions done in sincerity have validity in the presence of

Allah.
The School of Yusuf is a place that helps the believers to become
more sincere in everything they do. The most profound impact ex-
ercised by the education received there is on one’s self. Because,
there is no worldly gain for one in prison. Everything one does is
behind closed doors, so there is no opportunity for ostentation. He
cannot expect acclaim for his efforts, be they words spoken or acts
of worship performed. Only Allah knows and sees what he does.
Being that he knows this, he turns to Allah with a pure and genuine

heart. Allah refers to such individuals in the Qur’an:
[E]xcept those who repent and put things right and hold fast
to Allah and dedicate their religion to Allah alone; they are
with the believers. Allah will give the believers an immense
reward. (Surat an-Nisa’, 146)
Those who disbelieve say, “Why has a Sign not been sent
down to him from his Lord?” Say: “Allah misguides who-

ever He wills and guides to Himself all who turn to Him:

62