Page 47 - Sincerity Described in the Qur'an

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Ways To Attain Sincerity

life. Following that, we will call attention to the attitudes that
hinder sincerity, and will relate how simple it is to attain it.

Sincerity Strengthens the True Believers

In order to experience true sincerity, one should first and
foremost comprehend why sincerity is important. He should

have a heartfelt desire to attain such a level of faith. Because,
any person who fails to comprehend the importance of
sincerity may then seek power and might in worldly things,
pursuing them in order to attain societal prestige. Such a
person obstinately seeks fame, repute, glory, wealth, beauty,
academic credentials and other honors. Yet, none of these can
grant one the true power and esteem, neither in this world or
the hereafter. Likewise, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi reminds
true believers that power, both in this world and in the
hereafter, could only be acquired through sincerity, by
stating, "You should know that all your strength lies in sincerity
and truth. Yes, strength lies in truth and sincerity. Even those who
are wrong gain strength from their sincerity in their wrongdoing.
Evidence that strength lies in truth and sincerity is this service of
ours. A small amount of sincerity in our work proves this claim and
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is evidence for itself." Therefore, anyone forgetting this
principle and running after the above mentioned material
assets is not purely seeking to gain Allah’s consent.
For instance, let us assume that a task deemed favorable
by the Muslims is divided among four or five people. Let us
also imagine that one of the said people is entrusted with a
passive and seemingly unimportant behind-the-scenes job,
which may nevertheless be difficult to accomplish, whereas
the others are charged with active jobs, and in the