Page 103 - Sincerity Described in the Qur'an

101
Avoiding Attitudes Harming Sincerity

but most of them do not know it. (Surat az-Zumar: 49)

Another tendency frequently found among people under
the influence of arrogance is the "ambition to lead." The
lower-soul tempts a man to act ambitiously even while
performing good and pious deeds, and attempt to destroy his
sincerity by putting forth excuses that would seem
reasonable. As Said Nursi affirmed, saying: "Moreover
sincerity and adherence to the truth require that one should desire
the Muslims to benefit from anyone and at any place they can. To
think ‘Let them take lessons from me so that I gain the reward’ is a
33
trick of the soul and the ego." , in various circumstances, some
people act by deciding that, "I will be the one to complete this
job" without taking into account quality of the outcome or
the benefits to be gained as a consequence. This attitude,
ruled by the desire to lead and arrogance, completely
destroys sincerity.
As expressed by Bediuzzaman, who said "Thinking to
oneself ‘Let me gain this reward, let me guide these people, let them

listen to me,' he takes up a position of rivalry towards the true
brother who faces him and who stands in real need of his love,
assistance, brotherhood and aid. Saying to oneself, ‘Why are my
pupils going to him? Why don’t I have as many pupils as him?' he
falls prey to egoism, inclines to the chronic disease of ambition, loses
34
all sincerity, and opens the door to hypocrisy" , a peevish man
considers his Muslim brothers as his rivals. Unwilling that
another be endowed with important responsibilities, and
complete his tasks successfully, is to be understood as not
wishing anyone else to gain the rewards of Paradise, nor to
accept a responsibility which will grant him entry into
Paradise. Yet, the noblest attitude according to the Qur’an,