People Who Answer with Insincerity When Called on To Be Sincere

We have mentioned how those who grasp how true submission to Allah should be, make every effort to explain this to others as well. But some who receive such advice do not approach it with equal good will and may even react in ways that do not accord with the Qur'an.

However, if a believer makes an effort on behalf of the other, determines his weaknesses for him, thinks about ways of overcoming them and presents these in an encouraging manner so as to make them seem easy, it can be of great benefit.

Such judgments made by a believer who fears Allah always accord with the Qur'an: They are honest and sincere. Moreover, with an eye which can evaluate objectively, this believer can clearly identify defects of behavior and faith that the person himself has been unable to, and thus help his brother on this matter.

Because a sincere Muslim gives warnings for encouragement, what he says is always extremely important and should be taken seriously.

Nevertheless some people, though well aware of these facts, do not accept criticism. But as we know from the verse, "In fact, man will be clear proof against himself. In spite of any excuses he might offer" (Surat al-Qiyama: 14-15), those who reject criticism and warnings by pretending not to understand them, in fact know the truth.

Hence no matter how much a person wants to persuade and deceive—first himself and then people around him—into believing the contrary, in his conscience he knows the truth. Not applying realities known by the conscience to life causes internal strife, and is definitely one of the secret torments given to people in the world who lack sincere intentions.

But some fail to understand this truth. They feign ignorance that the lack of tranquility in their hearts arises from their own mistaken behavior and thinking.

For this reason, they react to the warnings in ways that do not accord with the Qur'an—which, in fact, constitutes a second proof of the accuracy of what is said to them. That is because a sincere believer, when invited to an even better morality, accepts this invitation.

Allah tells us how sincere believers behave after noticing their errors:

[People who guard against evil are] those who, when they act indecently or wrong themselves, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their bad actions (and who can forgive bad actions except Allah?) and do not knowingly persist in what they were doing. (Surah Al 'Imran: 135)

So if a person has achieved genuine sincerity as he claims, when he notes any error he should right away take refuge in Allah and not persist in his erroneous behavior.

The aim of the sincere believer is always to try to gain Allah's approval and affection. One way of gaining Allah's affection is explained in a verse of the Qur'an with the words, "Allah loves those who purify themselves" (Surat at-Tawba: 108).

When invited to sincerity, these people's reactions that do not accord with the Qur'an arise basically from their not having understood the faith as they should. In the Qur'an, Allah tells us which people tend to take advice:

You can only warn those who act on the Reminder and fear the All-Merciful in the Unseen. Give them the good news of forgiveness and a generous reward. (Surah Ya Sin: 11)

In the following pages, we will refer to behavioral defects shown by certain people who, given an admonition, deceive themselves that their insincerity can not be proven. These types of behavior are not in accordance with the Qur'an.

Indeed, it will be possible for people to be rescued from these secret insincerities, only through their understanding that they are contrary to the Qur'an and that in the sight of Allah, they all amount to sins. Keep in mind that Allah's mercy and generosity are there for those who recognize this truth and sincerely change their behavior—as we are reminded in this verse:

But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and puts things right, Allah will turn towards him. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 39)