Who is sincere?

People speak about sincere friends. But unfortunately, no one knows the meaning of sincere as yet. Is he a sincere friend because his words are pleasant? Is he sincere because he complies to everything that you tell him? These things are not the criteria to test the sincerity of a person, because as long as a person is not sincere to himself, he cannot be sincere to others. Being sincere and appearing sincere are two different things. Many people seem to be sincere, but in reality, they are not sincere. We say that they are not sincere because they are not sincere to the One who created them and granted them whatever they need. The one, who accepts to disobey the commandment of Allah Ta’ala in order to please you, by attending all the places that you invite him to, is not sincere to Allah Ta’ala. Thus, he is not sincere to himself. Thus, how can he be sincere to you? That is why we must bear in mind that a sincere person is the one who fears Allah Ta’ala and obeys His commandments. It is this kind of people who will be sincere to you. On the other hand, a person who does not fear Allah Ta’ala, he seems sincere and he pretends to be sincere only for his own interest. The day he finds someone better than you, he abandons you. Therefore, one who is not sincere to Allah Ta’ala, cannot be sincere to anyone. A friendship that is based on piety is a friendship that will last forever.

"Friends will be enemies on that day, except for those with taqwa." (S 43: V 67)

That is why the bitterness of a sincere friend is better than the sweet words of a friend who is not sincere.

[English version of "Ki sanla sincère ?" – Al Jamiat – Vol.4 No.12]