Renewal of the Heart and Soul

Phase 2 – Awakening the Heart: From Routine to Purpose

The Power of Sincerity (Ikhlāṣ)

We often think of renewal as cleansing — wiping the dust off a surface to reveal the shine beneath. But what is the heart, if not the throne of our consciousness? And what clouds its shine if not the accumulation of spiritual grime: heedlessness, pride, and the pursuit of anything other than the pleasure of our Creator?

Let`s reflect on the one quality that is both the cleansing agent and the polished result of a renewed heart. That quality is Sincerity, or Ikhlāṣ.

The word Ikhlāṣ comes from the Arabic root khalaṣa, which means to be pure, clear, and free from impurities. It means to purify an action until it is unadulterated, like pure, clean milk, free from any froth or contamination. In our worship and our daily lives, sincerity is the purification of our intentions. It is to ensure that when we act, we act solely for the sake of Allah ﷻ, seeking no praise from people, no worldly gain, and not even the validation of our own egos.

In a world that runs on likes, shares, and external validation, sincerity is the most radical form of spiritual renewal.

Consider the state of our hearts when we begin Ramadhan. We are excited, motivated, and full of zeal. We plan our prayers, our charity, and our Quranic recitation. This is a gift from Allah. But the spiritual disease of Riyā’ (showing off) is subtle. It creeps in when we hope someone notices how long our prayer is, or when we post about our charity for the admiration of others. These actions, while outwardly good, slowly corrode the heart. They make it heavy, dependent on creation, and disconnected from the Creator.

This is where the renewal of the heart begins: with a sincere inward turn.

The power of Ikhlāṣ is that it liberates you. When you are sincere, you are no longer a slave to people’s opinions. You don’t feel heavy-hearted if your good deed goes unnoticed because you know Allah saw it. You don’t feel despair when criticized, because your only audience is the One whose opinion matters most. Sincerity brings a lightness to the soul, a tranquillity that is the very essence of a renewed heart.

Allah ﷻ tells us in the Quran:

وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ حُنَفَآءَ

“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth…” (Surah Al-Bayyinah, 98:5).

This is the core of our existence. Worship isn’t just the ritual; it is the spirit behind the ritual. A prayer performed with sincerity, even if short, can elevate a person higher than a long prayer filled with distraction.

So, how do we cultivate this Ikhlāṣ during our remaining days of Ramadhan as a means to renew our souls?

First, we must guard our intentions. Before any action — whether it’s a supererogatory prayer, giving charity, or even being kind to a family member — pause for a split second and renew your intention: “I am doing this for Allah.”

Second, we must hide our good deeds. Just as we are shy to show our sins, we should be shy to show our piety. Give charity in secret. Pray the night prayer (Tahajjud) in the silence of your home, where no one sees you but Allah. This practice kills the ego’s desire for fame and purifies the soul.

Finally, we must constantly ask Allah for help. We begin our prayers by saying, “You alone we worship.” The scholars say this is followed immediately by, “And You alone we ask for help,” because maintaining sincerity in that worship is impossible without His divine assistance. Make du’ā specifically for Ikhlāṣ. Ask Allah to make your heart sound and your intentions pure.

This Ramadan, let us not just seek to complete the fast, but to refine the heart with which we fast. Let the renewal of our souls begin with a sincere return to Allah, stripping away the layers of pretense and presenting to Him a heart that seeks Him, and Him alone.

For when the heart is sincere, it is truly alive. And when it is alive, it illuminates everything else. May Allah grant us all the purity of Ikhlāṣ and renew our hearts in this blessed month. Ameen.