Let Us Start with Sincerity

"Sincerity?" I imagine you asking. "What is sincerity?" (I've got an active imagination). Good question my imaginary, critical thinking friends, good question. I can already see (imagine) your hands and eyes floating to the right place to find out what it means. Yes Google Search/Define, because dictionaries are for losers. 

Sincerity as defined by Google Search/Define:

• Noun -  So it's a thing. I've not made it up.
• the absence of pretence, deceit, or hypocrisy - Bunch of words that if you don't know already, then start Google defining them in separate tabs but essentially it means that if you have sincerity, you don't have a bad bone in ya'. You get me?
• "the sincerity of his beliefs is unquestionable" - Used in a sentence.
• Synonyms - 
• honesty, genuineness, truthfulness, good faith, lack of deceit, integrity,probity, trustworthiness;  
  wholeheartedness, seriousness, earnestness; 
  straightforwardness, 
  openness, candour, bona fides,  candidness, guilelessness, ingenuousness - Lots of words that should be related to any good person like your imaginary selves.
• Antonyms -
• Insincere - You do not want to be that guy. 

Google define have actually added a cool thing; a graph showing the use of the word sincere over the centuries: 

Unsurprisingly, its use is pretty much going downhill which sums up the problem of our world; most of us lack sincerity.However the question still remains, what is sincerity? It's not something you and I can touch physically. It's definitely not a jam sandwich that I would love to have my teeth soaking into right now. So what is it?

The Arabs use the word IKHLAS (pronounced eh-phlegm-laa-s) and it is an important word for us Muslims. It means the following:

Ikhlas is to do everything, internal and external, only desiring the pleasure of Allah. It is to forget the eyes of the people, and whether they view your deeds or not, with the only thing on your mind that Allah is watching you. Source: SuhaibWebb.com

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him said)

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُمْ

Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions.

Why I am writing this piece, is mainly for you and me to simply to take a step back and think about the things that we are doing and saying. How am I using my time? Is Facebook important? Am I trolling a person via regular critical comments really for the sake of Allah or is it to make myself feel good and make the other person look stupid? Am I speaking to the 'sister'/'brother' for the sake of Allah or do I have an alternate motive? Am I aware of the fact that Allah is seeing and hearing this very moment of mine and the next potential moments gifted to me by His Merciful self? Will He approve of this moment of mine? 

If not, then son we got business to attend. I know I do. 

'Why?' I imagine you asking  (you are quite the inquisitive one). Personally it's because I do not want to become another burden on this earth and another thorn in the lives of the other human beings that I affect. And because of this:

"There are beautiful verses in the Qur’an in this regard, where Allah describes the Abraar [mad level high achievers with loads of ikhlas] in Jannah [Paradise aka home]:

“They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], “We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.” (Qur’an, 76:7-9)" Source: SuhaibWebb.com

Dearest imaginary friends, let us all strive for more sincere hearts, because God knows how much we need it now. As a small guide about ikhlas/sincerity please read through these series of articles on SuhaibWebb.com and watch the video by my awesome teachers +Muslema Purmul and +Jamaal Diwan, the husband and wife double-act.

And God is Greater and Knows more. 

God is Greater

Mental Exercise

• Clear your mind, let go of all emotion and say with me, Allahuakbar.
• Say it... Allahuakbar.
• And say it again... Allahuakbar.
• No, not like - Nar-e-Takbeer-Allahuakbar-and-the-crowd-goes-wild-I'm-at-a-football-game-with-a-bunch-of-passionate-Muslims-who-love-burning-effigies.
• Say it softly... Allahuakbar.
• Let it reverberate in your throat and chest... Allahuakbar.
• Gently... Allahuakbar.
• Let everything come to your mind... Allahuakbar.
• That difficult essay for tomorrow... Allahuakbar.
• Mum's continuous questions... Allahuakbar.
• Dad's disapproval... Allahuakbar.
• That exam you think you're going to fail... Allahuakbar.
• That job rejection... Allahuakbar.
• Your ailing grandmother... Allahuakbar.
• That sense of helplessness... Allahuakbar.
• That sin committed in total privacy... Allahuakbar.
• That look you know that was too much ...Allahuakbar.
• That resentment of that person who does everything wrong but everything seems to be working for them... Allahuakbar.
• That hate of that tyrant that is killing the millions of his own people who are now starving, dying for no crime but their right for a dignified life... say it gently, softly and calmly Allahuakbar
• That feeling of hopelessness... say it with a smile, Allahuakbar.
• That love that got away... there are many fish in the sea... keep smiling, Allahuakbar.
• The sun, the moon, the stars, the day and night, the mountains, the deserts, the seas and oceans, the trees and all the creatures; from minute to ginormous,  from the weird to the most elegant... Allahuakbar.
• You and me... Allahuakbar.
• The Prophet (SAW). His life, his family, his friends, his words, his silence, his actions, his smile, his mercy; Him... Allahuakbar.
• The Quran... Allahuakbar.
• Allah...  He is Greater than that is, than that was and than that will ever be.. Allahuakbar.

Explanation

I've been going through some personal problems lately as does everyone. With things on my mind it was time for Maghrib (evening) salah (prayer). As all salah starts, I raised my hands and said Allahuakbar (God is Greater). This is usually a passive act a norm on my part, but for some reason the words took an active form. I proceeded to recited Surah An-Naba. The surah (chapter) eloquently describes the creation of Allah and it made me think, 'gosh Allah is Greater!' He is above and beyond all the problems that exist; He is the One who is the source of everything that is, and that is happening and that will to come. My problems, issues, sins, loss etc are small in front of Him. My emotions and feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and defeat are nothing but being blind to the logical and simple answer that is on my lips that Allahuakbar - Allah is greater and beyond all of this and as long as He exist, there is hope, there is support and confidence and the means to change and attain victory.

I was reminded to let go of emotions as they more often than not cloud judgement. I was also reminded that beauty can lie in the simplest of things if we take a moment to observe. Life is difficult for everyone and regardless of the diversity of the problems they lead to the same human emotions. There is only one thing to do; pick ourselves up and realise that there is a greater power at work. We have no choice but to acknowledge, smile and submit.

The inspiration for this piece is derived from the IPersonalEnrichment.com program which I highly recommend to everyone. The instructor (my friend and mentor) +AbdelRahman Mussa speaks about this concept in a very practical manner.

*ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ  لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ  فَأَنَّىٰ تُصْرَفُونَ

That is Allah , your Lord; to Him belongs dominion. There is no deity except Him, so how are you averted? (Quran 39:6)