Ramadan: Islam and sincerity of Muslims to the Qur’an (II)

A.L.M. This is the Book, in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah; who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them. And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have […]

A.L.M. This is the Book, in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah; who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them. And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter. They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord and it is these who will prosper.  (Q2 [Al-Baqarah]: 1-5).
Anyone who needs salvation through divine guidance is being told in it is guidance, sure without doubt. The Qur’an is also purposely refers mainly to those who fear Allah and since the message therein is revealed to lead man to eternal bliss – the enjoyment, which no eyes have seen, Allah says the message is directed to those who believe in the unseen.
No man can ever claim to be a perfect Muslim until he prays five daily (Salaat) prayers at their prescribed times. Hence, Allah directs the message to those who are steadfast in prayer (Salat) and are not stingy or selfish but rather spend out of what Allah has provided for them.
Do they not ponder on the Qur’an? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy. (Q4 [An-Nisa’]:82).
The Holy Qur’an is a unique Book and unlike other conventional books, the ideas and information contained therein do not follow literary order. Topics therein are carefully and perfectly arranged in a way that will be eternally pleasing and acceptable to whoever cares to read them, yet the topics discussed, the information disseminated, as well as the arrangement of chapters are not in bookish style.
One peculiar thing that makes the Qur’an marvelous in the eyes of men is that it is a law book; a book of warning and admonition; it gives glad tidings and also draws lessons from historical events, yet all its information are blended together without a single interpolation. It also teaches and analyses problems of metaphysics, universal law and philosophy in a manner that is different from that of the books of natural and applied sciences. Although, Al- Qur’an does  not enunciate at the very beginning the purpose it is established to achieve or the subject it wishes to explain, yet no book in the history of mankind has proffered practical solutions to political, economic, social and cultural problems of man than it does. The style and manner are completely different from other books written by men.
The Holy Qur’an is called Al-Furqan because it separates the truth from falsehood. It illuminates man from darkness into light. It frees man from spiritual slavery and guides him to choose the best for himself in the world as well as in the Hereafter. In addition, Al- Qur’an gives solutions to all human problems as Allah says: We have put forth for men, in the Qur’an every kind of parable, in order that they may receive admonition. (Q 39 [Az-Zumar]:27).   
We send down (stage by stage) of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss. (Q17 [Al-Isra’]:82).
The quoted verses shows that the revealed book of Islam can only benefit those who sincerely abide by its instructions, to the people of weak belief and doubters of its message; it will be nothing but a source of eternal loss.
THE CONCEPT OF SINCERITY IN ISLAM
Sincerity (ikhlaas) literally refers to clarity, pureness, or purity from stains and blemishes. According to Islamic scholarship, al-iklaaas (sincerity) means to purify one’s worship from every blemishes for the sake of Allah Alone and to perform every ibadah for the sake Allah without necessarily expecting praises or reward from people. It is the ability of a worshipper to equate inward thoughts with outward action perfectly for the sake of Almighty Allah.
A sincere believer is he or she who is not bothered that people should be aware of his righteous deeds simply because he sees all positive contributions as mere obedience of a creature to his Creator which he or she must not violate in the least. The Mukhlasuun (sincere worshippers) are those whose actions are tailored to conform to Allah’s instruction: And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)….(Q [Al-Bayyinah]:5).
They are set of believers whose series of worships have strongly attached them to Allah – the Exalted to the extent that they were instructed to say:”Verily, my salaat (five daily canonical prayers),my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims. (Q6[Al-An-aam]:162-163).
Indeed, the quoted verse affirms that only sincere devotion to Allah in belief and worship qualifies one to be a first class Muslim. How many of us can say we are 100% sincere to Allah in our thought, word and deed and as well as in our disposition to fellow human beings?