Ikhlas

Ikhlas refers to acts of worship performed with sincerity and loyalty. In Sufism, a person strives to develop sincerity and genuineness in all actions directed towards Allah. Ikhlas is turning away from everything except Allah and completely directing oneself to Him. This is a form of spiritual liberation. It is a recurring theme in Turkish Sufi literature, and Sufis regard ikhlas as one of the most important virtues on their spiritual paths. Ikhlas is the effort to reach Allah by shedding all worldly concerns; this process is closely related to a person's spiritual maturity. Moreover, those who possess ikhlas experience a sense of peace and deep satisfaction in their spiritual lives. Consequently, ikhlas is an indispensable element in Sufism regarding true worship and spiritual training.