Verifying Sincerity in Fasting
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Question:
This sister, Umm Muran, says: Honorable Shaykh Salih, may Allah keep you safe, how must we verify sincerity in fasting? How do we verify sincerity in fasting? We ask Allah to accept it from us, from you, and from the Muslims.
Answer:
Yes, it is obligatory for the Muslim to make his work sincere for Allah the Exalted. First, he must not be pleased with himself or declare himself righteous, saying that he has performed the work as required, and he must not be pleased with his work. Rather, he should consider his work to be little and fear that it will be returned to him, because one of its conditions may be lacking without him realizing it, and his work will be returned to him. So he does not declare himself righteous, and he does not take pride in his work.
Second, he must guard himself with utmost caution against showing off to people, and against intending the praise of people or their commendation of him. He must make his work sincere for Allah the Exalted[Al-Kahf 18:110] as a righteous deed, by being in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), with no religious innovation in it, and by not associating anyone with the worship of his Lord. This is sincerity: there is no showing off, no seeking reputation, and no intention for anyone other than Allah the Exalted.
Third, he must keep in mind the greatness of Allah the Exalted so that he makes his work sincere for His face. He must know that he is in the presence of Allah and that he is within the sight and hearing of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He), who sees and hears him, and who even knows what is in his heart and the movements of his soul. So he must be sincere to Allah the Exalted and watch over his worship of Allah the Exalted, as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 4777 and do not worship Allah with a heedless heart, or out of habit, or with people. Rather, keep in mind the greatness of your Lord, and perform the work sincerely for His face, seeking His reward and fearing His punishment. Feel this feeling always and forever in every deed you do, especially in this great month. Yes.
This sister, Umm Muran, says: Honorable Shaykh Salih, may Allah keep you safe, how must we verify sincerity in fasting? How do we verify sincerity in fasting? We ask Allah to accept it from us, from you, and from the Muslims.
Answer:
Yes, it is obligatory for the Muslim to make his work sincere for Allah the Exalted. First, he must not be pleased with himself or declare himself righteous, saying that he has performed the work as required, and he must not be pleased with his work. Rather, he should consider his work to be little and fear that it will be returned to him, because one of its conditions may be lacking without him realizing it, and his work will be returned to him. So he does not declare himself righteous, and he does not take pride in his work.
Second, he must guard himself with utmost caution against showing off to people, and against intending the praise of people or their commendation of him. He must make his work sincere for Allah the Exalted
Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."
قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًاThird, he must keep in mind the greatness of Allah the Exalted so that he makes his work sincere for His face. He must know that he is in the presence of Allah and that he is within the sight and hearing of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He), who sees and hears him, and who even knows what is in his heart and the movements of his soul. So he must be sincere to Allah the Exalted and watch over his worship of Allah the Exalted, as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) Allah sees you.
الإحسان أن تعبد الله كأنك تراه، فإن لم تكن تراه فإنه يراك،
Source
تحقيق الإخلاص في الصيام — alfawzan.live
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.