Page 99 - Sincerity Described in the Qur'an

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Avoiding Attitudes Harming Sincerity

qualities had resulted in the person from his or her own
doing, then there would be no reason for him or her to lose
them. Likewise, Allah creates many afflictions and
difficulties in this worldly life to help people understand this
truth. He tests mankind through many frailties, such as
ageing and illness.
One who comprehends that Allah bestows all he

possesses, and that he has no power without His help and
assistance, may then discern in return the wisdom of Allah in
His creation, and acquire humility by reconizing his own
weakness. According to Bediuzzaman, the most important
step taken towards acquiring sincerity is to abandon
arrogance:
"To preserve truth from the assaults of falsehood, to abandon the
self and its egoism, and give up the mistaken concepts of self-pride,
and cease from all insignificant feelings aroused by rivalry. [If these
precepts are adhered to], sincerity will be preserved and its function
perfectly performed." 31
It is necessary to adhere to this morality in order to
acquire sincerity. Arrogance causes one to behave in a way as

to favor himself rather than Allah. Arrogance means loving
one’s self more than any other, listening to himself rather
than the others, and protecting that which he owns at all cost.
Hence, one who is swept away by pride closes his conscience
from any warnings. Therefore, as he does not listen to the
voice of his conscience, he could in no way behave sincerely.
In the Qur’an, Allah defines the influence of arrogance as
follows:
When he is told to heed Allah, he is seized by pride
which drives him to wrongdoing. Hell will be enough