The Twenty-First Flash
On Sincerity
[Although originally the Fourth of the Seven Matters of the Seventeenth Note of the Seventeenth Flash, because of its connection with sincerity, it became the Second Point of the Twentieth Flash. Finally, due to its luminous character, it was included in the Flashes as the Twenty-First Flash.]
This Flash should be read at least once a fortnight
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
Do not fall into dispute, lest you lose heart and your power depart.(8:46) * And stand before God in a devout [frame of mind].(2:238) * Truly he succeeds that purifies it, * And he fails that corrupts it.(91:9-10) * Nor sell my signs for a small price.(2:41. etc.)
O my brothers of the hereafter! And O my companions in the service of the Qur’an! You should know – and you do know – that in this world sincerity is the most important principle in works pertaining to the hereafter; it is the greatest strength, the most acceptable intercessor, the firmest point of support, the shortest way to reality, the most acceptable prayer, the most wondrous means of achieving one’s goal, the highest quality, and the purest worship. Since sincerity comprises much strength and many lights like those mentioned above; and since at this dreadful time, despite our small number and weak, impoverished, and powerless state and our being confronted by terrible enemies and suffering severe oppression in the midst of aggressive innovations and misguidance, the extremely heavy, important, general, and sacred duty of serving belief and the Qur’an has been placed on our shoulders by divine grace, we are certainly compelled more than anyone to work with all our strength to gain sincerity. We need more than anything to instil sincerity in ourselves. Otherwise what we have achieved