Importance of Sincerity

Means of Salvation

Sincerity is one of the means of salvation in the Hereafter. Similarly, contentment of the heart in this world and disappearance of worry can only occur through it. The Prophet  (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever makes the Hereafter his [only] concern, Allaah will place richness in his heart, gather his affairs for him and the world will come to him conquered and submissive. And whoever  makes this world his [only] concern, Allaah will place poverty right before his very eyes, and divide his affairs for him; and nothing will come to him of this world except that which was already decreed for him.[1]”

Source of Provision

It is a great source of provision and reward as well as the attainment of good deeds as stated by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Whatever you spend seeking the Face of Allaah with it, even the morsel of food you put in the mouth of your wife, you will be rewarded for it[2].”

It Will Save from the Great Torment

Sincerity will save one from the great punishment on the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) informed us that the first of those whom the Fire will burn on the Day of Resurrection are three categories. Apparently their actions are good: the benevolent person, a scholar and a fighter. The benevolent person spent so that he would be called a generous person. The scholar acquired knowledge and taught it so that he would be called a scholar. The fighter fought so that he would be called a warrior.

Aboo Hurayrah reported: “I heard Allaah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) saying: ‘The first person to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who was martyred. He will be brought forth and Allaah will remind him of His blessings and he will recognize them. Then he will be asked: ‘What did you do with them?’ He will say: ‘I fought for Your sake until I was martyred.’ Allaah will say: “You have lied. You only fought so that people will say, ‘He is courageous,’ and they did say it.” Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire.

“Then there will be a man who studied much and taught others and recited the Qur’aan. He will be brought forth and Allaah will remind him of His blessings and he will recognize them. Then he will be asked: “What did you do with it?” He will say: “I studied much, taught it to others and recited the Qur’aan for Your sake.” Allaah will say: “You have lied. You studied so that people will say, ‘He is a scholar’,’ and they did say it.” Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire.

“Then there will be a man to whom Allaah gave all types of wealth in abundance. He will be brought forth and Allaah will remind him of His blessing, and he will recognize them. Then he will be asked: “What did you do with them?” He will say: “I have never seen any way in which You would like money to be spent for Your sake without spending it.” Allaah will say: “You have lied. You did that so that people will say: ‘He is generous,’ and they did say it.” Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire[3].”  

Aboo Hurayrah used to gasp whenever he narrated this hadeeth due to its frightening aspect. Then he would recover and wipe his face with water. This is what he used to do every time until he was able to narrate it. He stated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told him about these three people saying: ‘O Aboo Hurayrah! These three are the first of Allaah’s creation the Fire will burn on the Day of Resurrection’.

The first person the fire will burn is not the murderer, adulterer, thief, homosexual and consumer of alcohol; rather, the scholar of the Qur’aan, the benevolent and fighter will be [the first category of people to be] burnt as a result of this dangerous issue … sincerity.

In addition, lack of sincerity in seeking for knowledge is among the dangerous issues. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever acquires knowledge of things by which Allaah’s Face is sought, but instead he acquires it only to get worldly gains; he will not perceive the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection[4].”  The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said: “Whoever acquires knowledge in order to compete with the scholars or to dispute with the ignorant or to attract the attention of people will go to Hell Fire[5].”

Therefore, sincerity will save a person from the horrible station of the Day of Resurrection; a day Allaah will say to those who were insincere [in this worldly life]: ‘Go to those whom you used to show off your deeds in the world and see whether you will find any reward with them…”[6]

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[1] Collected by At-Tirmidhee (2465) from the hadeeth of  Anas bin Maalik, and Ibn Maajah Collected something similar to it from the hadeeth of Zayd bin Thaabit. Shaykh al-Albaanee authenticated it saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (6510, 6516)

[2] Collected by al-Bukhaaree (56) and Muslim (1628) from the hadeeth of Sa’d bin Abee Waqqaas

[3] Collected by Ahmad (8078), Muslim (1905), At-Tirmidhee (2382) and An-Nasaa’ee 93137) from  Aboo Hurayrah

[4] Collected by Ahmad (8252), Aboo Daawood (3664) and Ibn Maajah (252) from the hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah; Shaykh al-Albaanee classified the hadeeth saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (6159)

[5] Collected by At-Tirmidhee (2655) and Ibn Maajah (253) from the hadeeth of Abdullaah bin ‘Umar. This version is that of Ibn Maajah; Shaykh al-Albaanee classified it saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (6382)

[6] Collected by Ahmad (23119) and Shaykh al-Albaanee classified it saheeh in Silsilatus-Saheehah (2634)