Shaykh Dhu-Nun al-Misri (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“Three things are among the marks of sincerity (ikhlas):
that people’s praises and condemnation be equal to one,
that one is oblivious of one’s works while doing them, and
that one forgets about the reward that one gets for one’s work on Judgement day.”
al-Risala al-Qushayriyya, via The adab of true seeker, page 83-4
Asalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah
Jazak’Allah khairan, but is the third point not contradicting the noble concept of ‘Ihtisab’?
Wasalam
wa alaykum as salam
No.
They are completely different things.
The ‘ihtisab’ is the process of self accountabilty. To keep check of one’s short comngs.
Whereas, here in sincerity when an individual’s focus of attention raises above himself and he is able to concentrate on Allah SWT, he can see that each and every action he does is an instant cash reward from Allah SWT, he becomes oblivious of the reward at Judgement day.
wAllahu ‘alam.
May Allah SWT give us this sincerity. Amin!
Asalamu Alaykum
I learned that ‘Ihtisab’ means to ponder, contemplate or remember the rewards for the Amal while doing it. For example while standing in Namaz one should remember that Allah is forgiving ones sins like the leaves fall of a tree in autumn or that there’s no curtain between onself and Allah. Allahu ‘Alam.
Wassallam
wa alaykum as salam
If your Shaykh has recommended this, then continue as you have been instructed.