(Ikhlaas). Sincerity and purity of intention. Without this noble quality man is unable to advance towards his Lord or live in harmony with the creation. With it he is able to traverse great distances and attain to great heights of knowledge. The core of ikhlaas is the purification of the intention to the highest degree. It is the 'eye' of the intention.
A man must ensure that his sincerity is only directed towards Allah, since a man may be sincere in his devotion to the Devil as well. Imam al Junayd said that "Ikhlaas is to speak the truth when only a lie will save you".
Dhun Nun al Misri said "Truthfulness is the sword of Allah, it is never put on anything but it cuts it through".
Abu Ya'qub asSusi said "If they have witnessed the sincerity in their sincere actions, then they need to be sincere in their sincerity".
It has been said that the hardest thing for the ego is sincerity because he does not have any part in it. The difference between ikhlaas and truthfulness is that truthfulness is the tree and sincerity is the branch. Sincerity can only be manifested by entering the realm of actions.
Sincerity