Sincerity in the Qur'an

Be sincere for HIM! ~ Picture of Deviant Art

Meaning of Sincerity
'Sincerity', literall, has the meaning of being pure and unadultared. The concept of sincerity mentioned in the Qur'an denotes turning to Allah in devoutness.

Sincere Believer
A sincere believer devotes all his deeds throughout his entire life seeking the pleasure of Allah and expects his rewards only from HIM. He does not make devious calculations oriented around the opinions of other people or trying to find favour with them. therefore, all his action are sincere and candid, such as would earn the pleasure of Allah.

A sincere person is honest first with Allah and then with people; because he well knows that Allah hears and sees all things, and that he will be judged in His presence and will be held responsible for all his deeds, words and thoughts. For this reason, the sincerity and candour of believers are among the most significant signs of the firmness of their faith!

Allah has made the sincere attitudes of the messengers, who always sought to earn the good pleasure of Allah, an example of believers :

"An remember Our servants Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ya'qub, men of true strength and inner sight. We purified their sincerity through sincere remembrance of the Abode. In Our eyes, they are among the best of chosen men" (Surah Sad : 45 - 47)

Those who turn to Allah in sincerity are praised in the Qur'an. The Qur'an heralds the good outcome of these people as follows :

"Those who shun the worship of false gods and turn towards Allah will have good news.So give good news to My servants. Those who listen well to what is said and follow the best of it, they are the ones whom Allah has guided, they are people of intelligence" (Surah az-Zumar : 17-18)

The importance of deeds performed solely for Allah's sake is mentioned in the hadith below :

Allah accepts those deeds which were performed purely for His sake and which were meant to seek His pleasure. (Abu Dawud)

 Source : Harun Yahya : Quick Grasp of Faith II