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Sincerity and the Inner Life

Al-Ihsaan Research Desk

A careful study of intention, self-scrutiny and the subtle forms of showing off that can enter religious practice. The book draws on classical treatments of the heart while keeping the prose accessible to serious modern readers. It examines how motivation changes over time, how comparison distorts service and how honest self-examination differs from morbid introspection. Each chapter includes a practice for reflection and a caution against despair. Intended for readers who have some grounding in Islamic spirituality and want a more demanding treatment of sincerity.