Nafsiya Reflections: True Ikhlas

What is Ikhlas? Could we define it as sincerity, loyalty, pure intentions, maybe... sacrifice? Ikhlas can be defined as the synchronization between one’s physical body, its actions and the intentions of one’s heart. It could be, for example, that we wear our hijab, but what is in our hearts is not purely for Allah (swt). It could be that we love Allah (swt), yet we do not wear the Hijab properly or at all. There is a... disconnect. It could be that we stand tall, wearing our military attire, the reflection of nobleness and honor yet our hearts may not be in defense of the Deen of Allah (swt), rather our “loyalty” Ikhlas, is to someone else.

We may ask ourselves, to help define our true intentions, is this good or bad for us? The question then becomes what is my definition of good and bad? Who defines what is good? We as Muslims know that Allah (swt) is the only One Who is able to give the definition, for HE (swt) is The Creator of good and bad. We then ask ourselves, why am I doing this? Is it for my own personal gain or for others? If it is (because we as human beings look for our own personal gains at times, as we should), then we must ask... What is the personal gain? Is it for a person, for acceptance, for status? Or is it purely for the pleasure of Allah (swt), to gain the Hereafter?

The answers to these questions lead us to our destination. Allah (swt) said in Surah al Ana’am, Ayah 162:

[قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ]

Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.

In the explanation of this ayah, in Tafseer al Sa’adi, it states,

“... Allah singles out for mention the noblest acts of worship, as He says:

(Say: Verily my prayer, my sacrifice) – this is because of the virtue of these two acts of worship and what they imply of loving Allah, devoting worship to Him alone and drawing closer to Him in one’s heart and by means of one’s words and actions. Sacrifice means giving up what one loves of wealth or property for that which is dearer to one, namely Allah (swt) ... (my living and my dying) that is, whatever I do in my life and whatever Allah (swt) decrees should happen to me, and what He decrees for me at the time of my death, all of that is (for Allah, the Lord of the worlds; No partner has He) in worship, just as He has no partner in sovereignty and control.”

The disease of this ummah today, is that of Ikhlas, or of ignorance. Ignorance to Whom our Ikhlas should truly be to. Ignorance in not educating ourselves on the Deen of Allah (swt). Not knowing good from bad, and what Allah (swt) defines as “good” and “bad”. It is the belief that we are on the right path, making all the right decisions yet are heading to our own destruction. The disease of the Ummah today won’t let 'Mukhlisin' be the saviors of the Ummah. Allah (swt) says in Suraht al Kahf, ayah 103 through 105:

[قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُم بِالْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَالًا *‏ الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا ‎*‏ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَلِقَائِهِ فَحَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَزْنًا]

Say, [O Muhammad], "Shall we [believers] inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds? * [They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work." * Those are the ones who disbelieve in the verses of their Lord and in [their] meeting Him, so their deeds have become worthless; and We will not assign to them on the Day of Resurrection any importance. (105)

To the Soldiers, the Lions, the Saviors of this Ummah:

What are you thinking when you watch the massacre of your Ummah, watching pieces of children hanging off destroyed buildings, when you watch your sisters calling out for you, when you watch the filthy Jewish entity standing at the gates, walking around the blessed al Aqsa as if they own it... What are you waiting for?! Who is your Ikhlas to? Is it to your commander? To the ruler who does not rule according to what Allah (swt) has commanded? The ones’ who have gained their wealth on the backs and blood of this Ummah? Is your Ikhlas not The Owner of this world? The One who has created you, and to Whom you will be brought back to?! Is your Ikhlas not to raise the word of Allah (swt) (?! Does the blood in your veins not boil seeing what the ummah has been suffering with at the hands of the enemies of Allah (swt) and His Rasool (saw)?! Will you not walk into the footsteps of the Sahabah?!

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ اثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ ۚ أَرَضِيتُم بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ ۚ فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ]

O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little. [At-Tawba: 38]

Remember who you are! Wake up from your slumber! Announce your Ikhlas to Allah (swt) through your heart and your actions! Ramadan is here, and the Nasr, victory, of Allah (swt) is in HIS hands. Jihad He has left in yours. May this month be the month of Nasr, victory, this ummah has been yearning for!

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