A summary of the concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah.
The quality of sincerity to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
Calling to Allah with truthfulness.
One must possess qualities that qualify them for a call accepted by Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
Therefore, it is necessary to know these qualities and act upon them.
Among these is the quality of sincerity to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
Sincerity has two meanings.
The first is the sincerity of monotheism to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, with no partner for Him.
In this sense, its opposite and counterpart is polytheism (shirk).
Allah, the Most High, says: "Devoted to Allah, in sincerity of religion." (Qur'an 98:5)
The second is sincerity in word and deed for Him, the Glorified.
And seeking His countenance, the Mighty and Majestic, and the Hereafter.
And renouncing this world and its adornments.
In this sense, its opposite is showing off (riya') and seeking fame (sum'ah).
As for sincerity in the first sense, if the servant does not achieve it,
then all of his deeds are nullified and rejected.
Even if he prays and fasts and claims to be a Muslim, because he is a polytheist.
Allah, the Most High, says:
“And verily it hath been revealed unto thee as unto those before thee (saying): If thou ascribe a partner to Allah thy work will fail and thou indeed wilt be among the losers.” (39:65)
As for sincerity in the second sense, if the servant does not achieve it,
then the deed he performed for show or fame is rejected.
And the deeds he performed sincerely for Allah are accepted.
This type of insincerity does not nullify all deeds.
Rather, it only nullifies what sincerity was absent from.
It is obligatory for the caller to constantly review their intention,
so that their call to truth and its defense does not transform
into a call for the self and a zealous defense of it.
Whoever defends Allah, Allah will defend him, even if after a while.
And whoever defends himself or his party,
Allah will suffice him and humiliate him, even if after a while.