3rd Condition – Sincerity

3. Purity and Sincerity (Al-Ikhlaas) – in opposition to shirk

The intention of accepting Islam and performing all acts of worship must be purely devoted to Allaah:

قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ

“Say: ‘Verily, I am commanded to worship Allâh (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship’” (Az-Zumar 39:11)

So, when one declares this testimony, he should be doing so solely for the sake of Allaah, not for anyone else. Purity and sincerity is the opposite of Shirk (associating others in that which is due to Allaah alone). The one who proclaims this Shahaadah (testimony) for any worldly gain has failed to meet this condition of sincerity of worship and has failed to meet Allaah’s command, when He subhaanahu wa ta’alaa says:

قُلِ اللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ دِينِي

Say: “Allâh Alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only and not to show-off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship.” (Az-Zumar 39:14)

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Allaah has forbidden the Fire upon one who says laa ilaaha illallaah seeking by this the Face of Allaah.”[An agreed upon hadeeth i.e. found in both Bukhari and Muslim].

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

The next condition we will discuss is Truthfulness, InshaAllaah