The Essence of Sincerity in Fasting
One of the most important things to be mindful of in Ramadhān is the intention behind our fasting. Just as we consciously set intentions before performing Salaah, giving Zakaat, going for Hajj, or engaging in charity, our fasting must also be grounded in sincere intention—solely for the sake of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Actions are judged by their intentions, and everyone will be rewarded according to what they intended.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Fasting is not just an act of deprivation from food and drink; it is an act of devotion, a means of drawing closer to Allah. But sincerity (ikhlas) is what transforms an ordinary fast into one that is deeply rewarding and spiritually elevating.
Fasting: An Ibadah Meant for Allah Alone
Unlike other acts of worship, fasting is unique because it is purely between the servant and Allah. The Prophet ﷺ narrated that Allah says:
“Every deed of the son of Adam is for himself except fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward it.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
This highlights that fasting is an act of love, submission, and sincerity—one that we do purely for Allah, with no worldly recognition attached. It is a private ibadah, hidden from the eyes of others. Only Allah knows whether we are truly fasting, whether we are struggling, and whether we are mindful of Him throughout the day.
But with this comes an important reminder: We must ensure that our fasting remains free from self-admiration and self-pity.
Avoiding Two Traps: Self-Admiration & Self-Pity
1. Self-Admiration in Ibadah
It is easy to fall into the trap of feeling proud of our ibadah—completing a khatm of the Qur’ān, standing long in tahajjud, or giving large amounts of charity. While these are beautiful acts, we must remember that true sincerity means doing them for Allah alone, not to feed our own sense of achievement.
If we begin to see our fasting as a personal accomplishment rather than an act of servitude to Allah, we risk losing the purity of intention. Allah does not look at the quantity of our ibadah but at the sincerity behind it.
2. Self-Pity & Comparison with Others
On the other hand, some may struggle with feeling inadequate—comparing their ibadah to others and feeling that they are not “doing enough.” We may see people finishing multiple Qur’ān khatams, praying lengthy nights, and making abundant dhikr, while we struggle with the basics.
But sincerity means understanding our own journey. Not everyone has the same capacity, and Allah does not expect us to worship beyond what we can handle. A small, sincere deed is more beloved to Allah than a large insincere one.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Instead of focusing on how much we have done compared to others, we should focus on what we can sincerely do for Allah—whether that means one page of Qur’ān, a few moments of dhikr, or even just making sincere du’ā from the heart.
Protecting Our Intentions in the Age of Social Media
In today’s world, sharing our ibadah experiences online can sometimes blur the lines of sincerity. While inspiring others is a noble intention, we must always check our hearts:
• Are we sharing to motivate others, or are we seeking validation?
• Are we showing our progress in ibadah, or are we unknowingly falling into the trap of pride?
• Are we feeling pressured to perform acts of worship for public approval rather than for Allah alone?
The purest ibadah is the one that is done in secret, without seeking praise, acknowledgment, or admiration from others. Even if the whole world remains unaware of our efforts, Allah sees, and that is enough.
A Personalised Ramadhān: Worshiping at Your Own Pace
Ramadhān is not about competition—it is about personal growth and sincerity. Every believer is on their own unique journey with Allah. Some may have the energy to pray the night in tahajjud, while others may only manage their obligatory prayers with deep sincerity. Some may fast effortlessly, while others may struggle due to illness or personal hardship.
Allah does not expect us to burn out in Ramadhān. He does not expect us to match someone else’s ibadah. He simply wants us to return to Him sincerely, in whatever way we can.
So instead of being consumed with the quantity of our worship, let’s focus on its quality. Let’s focus on being present with Allah in our fasting, our prayers, our du’ās, and our dhikr.
A Du’ā for Sincerity in Ramadhān
اللهم اجعل صيامنا وقيامنا خالصًا لوجهك الكريم، ولا تجعل فيه رياءً ولا سمعة، ووفقنا للإخلاص في جميع أعمالنا يا أرحم الراحمين.
O Allah, make our fasting and our prayers sincere for Your noble face, and do not let them be tainted by showing off or seeking recognition. Grant us sincerity in all our actions, O Most Merciful.
Ramadhān is a time of purification—of both the body and the heart. As we fast, let us purify not just our stomachs from food, but also our hearts from insincerity, pride, comparison, and self-doubt.
• Let’s fast with sincerity.
• Let’s worship with sincerity.
• Let’s seek Allah’s pleasure, not people’s validation.
May Allah accept our fasts, purify our intentions, and grant us the sweetness of sincere ibadah. Ameen.