The Concept of Sincerity (Ikhlas)

Assalamualaikum,

Today's sermon was about sincerity in our actions. It is somewhat the continuation of last week's sermon though presented by different khatib. It was started with related Quranic verses and ahadith abouth sincerity.

The khatib lined up several points for us how to inculcate sincerity in our actions:
1) Always be wary of fame - do not do something to gain fame, but if we become famous out of doing anything, then it is the will and grace of Allah
2) Always feel inadequate - meaning that always feel that we have not done enough for Allah
3) Avoid doing something to seek praise
4) Do not seek leadership. Remember the story of Khalid ibn Walid when he was asked by Khalifah Umar to be replaced by Abu Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarrah during the Battle of Maraj-al Debaj against Byzantine army. What he said afterwards was, I was following the command of the God of Umar, not Umar. Observe here how he accepted the decision sincerely. (The only one known reason for Khalid's dismissal, was that the Khalifah Umar feared his soldiers might rely on Khalid for victory, and not Allah - again here the concern of early Muslims about sincerity and reliance to Allah - which reminds me to write about a sermon a few months ago about the concept of reliance to Allah)
5) Do not seek title or promotion in anything that you do. As students, we should revise our real intention to study. Are we doing PhDs just to get Dr. title on our name? Or are we doing them for the sake of Allah? We need to cleanse our intention in any matters that we are doing.

A hadith related to sincerity:

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam ) once said:

"Certain categories of people will be called first of all for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. A martyr will be asked by Allah, "Did I not bestow such and such favors on you?" He will admit those boons and favors. Then Allah will ask him; " How did you make use of My favors? He will answer: " I went to the Holy War to please You, and was killed therein." Allah will say " You lie; you participated in the Holy War to be called a Hero by people, and this has been done." Then he will be thrown headlong into the fire of Hell.

Next a Scholar will be called and the same questions will be put to him. In reply he will admit the favors of Allah. Then he will be asked; " How did you make us of My favors?" He will answer, " I acquired knowledge of Islam and taught it to others, simply to please You" Allah will say: You lie; you attained knowledge in order to be called a scholar and recited the Holy Qur'an to be called a "Qaari." Then he too will be thrown headlong into the fire of Hell.

Thereafter a rich man will be called, and the same questions will be put to him. He will say: " I always spent money to please You. Allah will say: you lie; you spend money in order to be called a "generous" man, and this has been said." Then he will also be thrown headlong into the fire of Hell."

Therefore we should always avoid show and vanity, and should render our actions to only please Allah.

Allahu 'alam and may Allah grant us all sincerity in our actions. Amin.