Imagine thousands of content individuals, whose garments are so beautiful the human mind cannot grasp their texture, whose faces will be shone as the moon on a clear night, whose shade will be the branches of fine trees whereupon fruit dangle, whose desires will be fulfilled upon the mere thought of anything, and whose protection will be Allah (SWT). The concept of the two angels (Kiraman Katibeen – Noble Writers) that write each breath, muscle movement and action that we take has been stamped into the minds of most individuals from a very young age. It is therefore, reasonable to presume and understand that each act can be divided into two very broad categories, those that are considered acts of ibaadah (worship) and those which are not. Ibn Katheer defines worship, or ‘ibaadah, as, “…a state which combines the perfection of love, submission, and fear…” and Ibn Taymiyyah adds that ‘ibaadah is a comprehensive term, encompassing all apparent and hidden acts and statements that are beloved to Allah (SWT).” Through the infinite blessings of Allah we have been given various ways to fulfill our obligation of ‘ibaadah. Thus the first thing which a Muslim acknowledges is that he has been created for Ibaadah and that is due to his declaration of Laa ilaaha illallaaha (There is none worthy of worship except Allah alone). From amongst the different components of ‘ibaadah, (conformity and combining love, fear, and hope with each action) extreme sincerity in the action itself is essential. In a Hadeeth Qudsee the Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) said that Allah said “I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having partners. Thus, whoever does an action for someone else’s sake as well as Mine, will have that action rejected by Me to him whom he associated with Me” [Muslim]. Shaykh Ahmad Fareed defines ikhlaas as “the purification of one’s intentions in order to draw closer to Allah (SWT)” and he adds that ikhlaas (sincerity) is a condition for Allah to accept those righteous actions that are done in accordance with the Sunnah. This is blatantly obvious when Allah says, “And they have not been commanded except to worship Allah alone, having ikhlaas (purity of intention) in their religion and not setting-up partners with Allah in the worship of Him.” [Al-Bayyinah: 5].
A story clearly indicative of Ikhlaas is that of the brave soldier in one of the wars against the Roman forces. The Muslims occupied a city surrounding a tall and equipped wall under the command of Maslamah bin Abdul Malik (rahimahullaah). Maslamah was in need of someone very thin to slip through a hole under the wall and unlock the gates for the rest of the army. “Quickly, send with me someone who can squeeze through and fight the army on the inside until he has opened the gates for all of us to enter,” Maslamah said, and within the night a volunteer came forth and in a genius assault the Muslims were victorious. Maslamah bin Abdul Malik (rahimahullaah) was anxious to find out who the brave soldier was, and for several nights he sent out a message for this man to come forth. After many days a man whose face was wrapped in a scarf came forth, “I have news of the soldier that entered the hole.” Maslamah got excited and sat up sharp, “Tell me who it is?” “First, however,” said the soldier, “he has three conditions before exposing himself. Do you agree to this?” “Of course,” Maslamah said. “The first is that you do not try to compensate him for what he did (that is no reward). The second is that you do not tell anyone who he is (that is no publicity or fame). And the third is that you shall not ask for his presence ever again. Do you agree to these conditions?” “It is agreed,” Maslamah said. The soldier, uncovering his scarf, said, “It is I. I went through that hole only for the sake of Allah.” Then, turning, he walked away.
After that day, Maslamah was often heard praying to Allah, “O Allah, (on the Day of Resurrection) grant me companionship with the soldier of the hole.” His ‘ibaadah was more precious to him, his fame and beauty in the eyes of Allah (SWT) were more valuable to him, and he held the life of the hereafter in higher esteem than the few seconds of this world. This man did not come forth to make his bravery a public production and he obviously did not let his whims and desires take precedence over the sincerity of the action itself, may Allah SWT reward him greatly. Let us aim to work for this level of sincerity (along with the other conditions of ‘ibaadah), and have our worship accepted for the sake of Allah. Let us pray to be amongst the best in the eyes of Allah, “Upon them will be green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink. ‘Verily this is a reward for you and your endeavor has been appreciated’” [Al-Insan, 15-22].
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