15. ASCETICISM WITHOUT SINCERITY
I thought of some things that indicate hypocrisy (nifaq) and insincerity’ {riyd) of the ascetics of this era, even while they claim sincerity (ikhlas).
They remain in a sanctuary [where they spend their time worshiping] and never visit a friend or check on a sick person because they claim they want to be far from people and dedicate all their time to worship (‘ibadah), when in fact, they want to be known and pointed out as those who detached themselves from people to worship.
This is because if they did not do that, no one will show the respect they show to them while they are in such a position.
The behaviour of people before was nothing like what those people do! The Prophet used to visit the sick and buy his needs from the market. Abu Bakr (radiyAlldbu ‘anhu) used to trade with silk and Abu ‘Ubaydah (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) and Abu Talhah {radiyAllahu ‘anhu) used to dig graves, and Ibn Sirin used to wash and shroud dead people and none of them were into the business of standing out to be known.
In contrast, those people in our time remain silent in the presence of people and try being more touched and attentive as if they are about to die. Indeed, this is nothing but hypocrisy!
Ibn Sirin used to laugh while he is among people during the day, but when he was [alone] at night he would weep and cry.
Among those whom we criticised, are some who show people they fast every day as they are nourished with hearing people say they do not miss a day of fasting! These idiots do not seem to know they fast for the sake of people otherwise they would have shown people they do not fast for a couple of days and thus lose the adage of such a reputation; then they could start fasting again.
Ibrahim ibn Adham used to keep next to him the food eaten by healthy people when he is sick [so people do not know].
I saw some of the so called ascetics in our time who lead people in the Prayer of Fajrand recite the last two Surahs of the Qur’an in order to give the impression that they have completed the recital of Qur’an!
Truly, this type of deed is explicitly hypocritical and insincere. Some other ascetics receive charity even though they are in no need, and furthermore they do not mind whether such money is given by good people or oppressors. They approach rulers begging for money though they know that the source of their money is unlawful.
It is critical to rectify the intentions and maintain sincerity, for otherwise most of these deeds are rejected.
Malik Ibn Dinar used to say, ‘If a person is insincere let him not waste his time and effort.’
If only the insincere realised that whatever he intends to achieve—which is having the attention and love of people— is something he does not achieve because of his insincerity.
This is because it deprives him from people’s love and keeps them away from him, whereas the sincere is loved. In fact, if the pretentious realises that the hearts of those for whom he shows off his deeds are in the Hand of the One whom he disobeys, he would never have become as such.
I saw many people who wear the clothing of wool and manifest worship but none pays attention to him, whereas I saw some who wear good clothes and smile to people and people love him.
I ask Allah to grant us sincerity’ whereby we can be saved and I seek His refuge from pretentiousness that nullifies our deeds.
Truly, He is the most capable of answering such a prayer.
(Source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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