Page 89 - Sincerity Described in the Qur'an

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Avoiding Attitudes Harming Sincerity

and there is no harm in it, but the meaning of sincerity between you
could be damaged." 24 Thus, he reminds the Muslims that
sacrificing that which is pleasing to one’s soul, such as honor,

reputation, authority, material benefits, and affection, should
become a means to acquire sincerity. For instance, a believer
can remain in the background and let one of his brothers
receives the attention if he were to make a good suggestion
or say something important.
Any man who avoids these incitements from his soul, and
strives to gain sincerity and Allah’s consent, will be
welcomed by Allah and be successful in his endeavors. Allah
gives the good news to the believers as follows:
But as for him who feared the Station of his Lord and
forbade the lower self its appetites, the Garden will be

his refuge. (Surat an-Na’ziat: 40-41)

Conquering Greed and Jealousy

Allah informs us in the following verse that human soul
is swayed by greed as follows:
... people are prone to selfish greed. If you do good and
do your duty, Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat an-
Nisa: 128)

Thus, as with other evils, we are all prone to struggle
internally with feelings of jealousy and greed. One should
strive to purify himself of them. Otherwise, he will never be
able to duly practice the morality of the Qur’an and to fully
gain Allah’s consent. Similarly, in another verse of the
Qur’an, it is indicated that people disagreed among each
other and strayed from the straight path because of the