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Sincerity Towards Allāh

Imām Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

A short word from Imām Ibn al-Qayyim (d. AH 751) – raḥimahullāh – demonstrating that there is nothing beyond Allāh that deserves to be sought and nothing finds its conclusion with other than Him.

Everything that is loved – if it is not loved for His sake then this love is nothing but distress and punishment. Every action that is not performed for His sake then it is wasted and severed.

Imām Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

Allāh says,

وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَائِنُهُ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ ‎﴿٢١﴾‏

“There is not a single thing except that its depositories and treasures are with Us.”
[Al-Ḥijr, 15:21]

This verse comprises a [great] treasure from the treasures [of the Qurʾān], this being that nothing is sought except from the One Who possesses its depositories and treasures, the One in Whose Hands lie the keys to these treasures. Seeking [things] from anyone else is seeking something from one who does not possess them or possess any authority over them.

The saying of Allāh,

وَأَنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ الْمُنتَهَىٰ ‎﴿٤٢﴾‏

“And that to your Lord is the final goal.”
[Al-Najm, 53:42]

Comprises an immense treasure, this being that every desired objective that is not desired for His sake and is not connected [in any form or fashion] to Him then it is temporary and soon to disappear for its final goal is not with Him. The final goal lies only with the One to Whom all matters find their conclusion, terminating at His creation, Will, Wisdom and Knowledge. Therefore, He is the source of every desired matter.

Everything that is loved – if it is not loved for His sake then this love is nothing but distress and punishment. Every action that is not performed for His sake then it is wasted and severed. Every heart that does not reach Him is wretched, veiled from achieving its success and happiness.

Therefore, Allāh has gathered everything that could be desired from Him in His saying,

وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَائِنُهُ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ ‎﴿٢١﴾‏

“There is not a single thing except that its depositories and treasures are with Us.”
[Al-Ḥijr, 15:21]

And He has gathered everything that is done for His sake in His saying,

وَأَنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ الْمُنتَهَىٰ ‎﴿٤٢﴾‏

“And that to your Lord is the final goal.”
[Al-Najm, 53:42]

Therefore, there is nothing beyond Allāh that deserves to be sought and nothing finds its conclusion with other than Him.

Published: July 4, 2007
Edited: January 21, 2023