Page 62 - Sincerity Described in the Qur'an

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SINCERITY DESCRIBED IN THE QUR’AN

of charity, one should always prefer the recipient to oneself, and
without demanding or inwardly desiring any material reward for
religious service, know one’s act to be purely Allah’s grace and not
impose a sense of obligation on men. Nothing worldly should be

sought in return for religious service, for otherwise sincerity will be
lost. Men have many rights and claims, and may even deserve the
weldfare tax (zakat). But it cannot be demanded. When one receives
something, it cannot be said that "This is the reward for my
service." Rather in perfect contentment one should always prefer to
oneself others who are more deserving. Thus manifesting the
meaning of "They prefer others to themselves, though poverty be
their lot" (Surat al-Hashr: 9), one may be saved from this terrible
danger and gain sincerity." 10
In yet another of his works, Bediuzzaman stressed the
importance of receiving all of the rewards in the hereafter by
saying "This world is made for service, not for receiving
remuneration. The remuneration, fruits, lights of pious deeds are in
the next world. Bringing those everlasting fruits into this world

and wishing to have them here means making the next world
dependent upon this one. Thus the sincerity of that pious deed is
harmed, and its light is extinguished. Yes, those fruits are not
desired, intended. Any man granted one should give thanks to
Allah by thinking that it is granted for encouragement." 11
Indeed, all recompenses other than Allah’s consent hoped
for by mankind belong to this world and represent the
preference of this world to the hereafter. Such persons, who
enjoy these worldly benefits may be deprived of them in the
hereafter. Whereas, a person who performs pious deeds by
aiming at acquiring only Allah’s consent, and who keeps his
intentions untainted will be granted by Allah blessings both