Page 104 - Sincerity Described in the Qur'an

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SINCERITY DESCRIBED IN THE QUR’AN

that which is most sincere, is to let others earn the access to
Paradise and to encourage them to embark on tasks pleasing
to Allah.
AMuslim should wish to make others gain the rewards of

Paradise and take on noble tasks leading to favor in the
hereafter, just as he wishes to perform pious deeds for his
own benefit. Turning a good deed into one for the sake of a
worldly ambition, by saying "I am the most qualified person
to do this job," "Let them see how good I can manage this job,
and understand how superior are my qualities," "I will
undertake this job in order to acquire a status and prestige
among the believers," is not in accordance with sincerity.
Instead, one should give preference to another believer. He
should point out that he also possesses superior qualities to
enable him to practice good morality and to act sincerely. In
order to conquer one’s arrogance and the ambition to
authority, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi gave the following
recommendation:

"The cure and remedy for this serious disease is to be proud of the
company of all those travelling the path of truth, in accordance
with the principle of love for Allah’s sake; to follow them and defer
leadership to them; and to consider whoever is walking on Allah’s
path to be probably better than oneself, thereby breaking the ego and
regaining sincerity. Salvation is also to be had from that disease by
knowing that an ounce of deeds performed in sincerity is preferable
to a ton performed without sincerity, and by preferring the status
of a follower to that of a leader, with all the danger and
responsibility that it involves. Thus sincerity is to be had, and one’s
duties of preparation for the Hereafter may be correctly
performed." 35