Sincerity

Sincerity is the virtue of one who communicates and acts in accordance with the entirety of their feelings, beliefs, thoughts, and desires in a manner that is honest and genuine.

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Charity done for the sake of Allah, does not need people to pray for you or your family as Allah Knows you and your family and Grants reward of the charity to everyone who sincerely does good.

'Requesting people to pray for you or your family does not invalidate your charity, as far as your intention behind the charity was for the sake of Allah.

'Wassalam.

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Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 1 year ago

In addition to the previous response, I would add that, from a faith-based perspective, it seems most important to forge an emotional connection with Allah and the Prophet (S), rather than the religion itself. In addition to the prescribed practices, some people find emotional connection through other expressions, such as Islamic art, nasheeds, or literature.

Being a large religion, there are varying ways that Islam is lived, historically and today. It is possible that what is immediately available to you live doesn't work well for you. For instance, I have found that many Sunni Islamic organizations in the United States tend towards a very dry practice of Islam (probably due to the influence of Salafism, as well as due to leaving behind traditions from varying countries and trying to "modernize" the faith), whereas, in many Muslim-majority countries, the practice seems richer. This is just my view. Sometimes, what is available to women in some places differs from what is available to men, and that may also have an effect (especially if women's gatherings are held privately, and one isn't invited).

In any case, some people do well with the more mystically-oriented practices in Islam, some people do better attending intellectual gatherings, some people greatly enjoy the legalistic side, some people like a strong community feeling, some people flourish with activism, and so forth.

Religious leadership is important too - which religious leaders we benefit from tends to be a very personal and individual thing.

Note that I wouldn't consider every group or religious leader that calls themself "Muslim" to be healthy or an authentic representation of what I believe to be the intent of Allah. There are healthy and unhealthy groups in any large religion. So it is always good to keep your eyes open with any religious group and use your good judgment.

However, with that in mind, you could explore what is available to find what best suits you and what you feel to be true and maybe you will find something that "clicks".

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

More understanding creates more connection with religion. We need to understand that our Creator, Allah, did not Create us with out guidance but Guided us to the proper way of life when He Sent religion to Make our life a real human life which is different from animal life. 

It is very useful to recite Quran, and Du'a especially Sahifa Sajjadia ( Supplication numer 20).

Wassalam.

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

Such feeling is from your worst enemy Shaitan who always tries to harm us through different ways. After knowing the source of the a satanic thoughts, we need to tackle it by seeking help and protection from Allah. Repeating Istighfaar and Salawaat and reciting Quran and Du'a are very useful.

Read Quran and sayings of the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) and repeat to remember and understand more. 

Wassalam.

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Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answer updated 4 years ago

as salam alaikum

sincerity stems from the heart and it is not something conventional that can be obtained by merely verbal expressions or symbolic acts. The servants should first look at the greatness of Allah, the bounties he has received from Him, and the gravity of his sins. Then he should see where he stands in front of Him and where he is aiming vis-á-vis His will.  So he will feel remorseful for his past errors and he will intend to rectify himself to please Allah.

There is no specific actions to be performed to gain sincerity in asking forgiveness from Allah, rather actions would follow the awareness of the heart and the penitent soul who realized his mistakes and to Who he has disobeyed.

With prayers for your success.

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Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 4 years ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. You don't have to think out the words before doing the act, but you have to know you are doing it for the sake of Allah. Thinking out the words is a way in which some people make clear to themselves what they are doing. Sincerely carrying out an act for the sake of God is sufficient without thinking out the words. It is also recommended to start out those works with the bismillah.

May you always be successful