أهمية الإخلاص في حياتنا في ضوء تعليمات القرآن والسنة THE IMPORTANCE OF SINCERITY IN OUR LIFE IN THE LIGHT OF QUR’ĀN AND PROPHET MUḤAMMAD'S (PBUH) TEACHINGS Section Islamic Studies

Abstract

The literal meaning of ' Ikhlāṣ' or sincerity is purity of intent and sanitation from the dirt worldly desires and lust. From a pragmatic lens, it implicates orienting all your efforts and endeavors to the pleasure of the Creator, and submitting to the divine will of Allāh, such that all the noble deeds committed are beyond worldly fame, and carnal desires – solely intended to accomplish Allāh’s bliss, vis-a-vis spiritual contentment. This paper attempts to explore the socio-economic importance, and implications of Ikhlāṣ on the socio-economic dimensions of the life of a Muslim. We review the sources of Islāmic injunctions including Qur’ān, and Seerah (i.e. the Practices/ Sūnah and sayings of the Prophet/ Ḥadīth) to explicate the import of Ikhlāṣ as laid down in Islām. Our findings reveals that Ikhlāṣ/Sincerity is one of the fundamental pillars that sets the conduct, and discipline the practices of a Muslim. It crafts the life, intent, and practices of a Muslim to revolve around the happiness of his Lord, as evident in the Prophet Muḥammad ṣallá Allāh ‘alayhi wa-sallam emphasis on Sincerity in actions as asserted in his Ḥadīth "Action depend on intentions" implying that if your intention is good then your actions would definitely gain the divine acceptance. On the contrary, if your intention is malicious, and oriented towards worldly gains and vicious ambitions, then it would have similar reflection over the outcome of underlying action. We also underscored the numerous boons and blessings for carrying out a sincere conduct promised by the creator of the world e.g. Allāh has assured protection of a sincere individual from the evils of his enemies, assured him the abundance of livelihood (Rizq), and most importantly the deliverance of spiritual peace withering away all the grief, worries and sorrows from his life.