Sincerity is essential in worship, as only actions done solely for Allāh are rewarded and bring us closer to Him. Jihād is a great deed in Islām and is one of the fields during which showing off [Riyā’] can take place, because not everyone who fights is sincere. Our Salaf used to hide themselves in Jihād because they recognized the importance of sincerity in it.
In one battle, the Muslim army surrounded one of the fortresses of the enemy, and the enemy army started showering the Muslims with arrows and things became difficult for the Muslim army.
Suddenly, one of the Muslims got up and dug a tunnel and was able to enter through it to the enemy fortress. He killed the man guarding the gate of the fortress and opened the gate for the Muslims to enter.
The Muslims entered the fortress and won the battle, but they did not know who the man was [who dug the tunnel].
Maslamah [may Allāh have mercy upon him] who was the leader of the Muslim army, wanted to know who the man was so that he could reward him.
He was unable to discover his identity, so he made an announcement, adjuring this man in the Name of Allāh to come to him.
The man went to him at night and placed a condition on the leader that he would not look for him after that. Maslamah agreed to the condition, and so the man uncovered his face and allowed him to recognize him. Maslamah always used to say after that:
"O Allāh, join me with the man of the tunnel in the Hereafter."
See Bustān Al-Khatīb (24)
Action plan:
❖ Renew Your Intentions Regularly: Begin every action, big or small, by consciously setting your intention for Allāh’s sake.
❖ Engage in Hidden Acts of Worship: Incorporate private acts of worship, keeping these acts between you and Allāh only.
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