The Damage Caused by Insincerity (Negative "Vibes")

To people who believe in Him with a sincere heart, Allah gives a beauty and health that these people bring to every environment they enter.

Looking in their faces, hearing their voices and witnessing their attitudes become a blessing for those around them. The Qur'an draws attention to this characteristic of the faithful and the "trace of prostration" that manifests itself on their faces:

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are fierce to the disbelievers, merciful to one another. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking Allah's good favor and His pleasure. Their mark is on their faces, the traces of prostration... (Surat al-Fath: 29)

In contrast to the faithful, people who behave insincerely present a negative appearance. The lack of faith these people have inside, their tormented, troubled and tense spiritual state and their pride cause a negative breeze in every environment they enter.

Whatever they say or do, they spread negativity around them. Their tense spiritual conditions, their tormented faces and troubled voices make others perceive this clearly. So long as they are insincere and do not show steadfast honesty towards Allah, they cannot overcome this. They can do whatever they want to appear sympathetic to the people around them, but it will have no positive effect.

This is a miraculous situation which Allah creates. Some may not be able to describe this negative feeling at times, but most recognize such people and avoid them. This is one of the internal torments that afflict a person who harbors negative thoughts.

However, keep in mind that from the moment a person purifies his heart and acts with sincere intent towards Allah, by the will of Allah, this negative appearance melts away and is replaced by a bright and open visage.

These traits listed up to now are just some of the recompense that Allah may give for lack of true faith in Him. Allah's power is boundless. Despite all these clear signs, if one ignores how he suffers and fails to take refuge in Allah, He may bring still more harm upon him.

Nobody should deceive himself saying, "I believe. I perform my worship." He should purify his heart for Allah and leave not a trace of insincerity. To avoid an outcome such as the one described in the verses, "No indeed! Truly man is unbridled, seeing himself as self-sufficient" (Surat al-'Alaq: 6-7), he must take refuge in Allah.