The more and precisely he performs them...

The more and precisely he performs them, the greater will be the purity and illumination of his soul, enabling him to ascend higher and higher up toward the exalted gnostic stations.

Here, we will point out to some of the righteous deeds and for the remaining ones the readers are advised to refer to other books but it should be reminded that mandatory deeds, recommended deeds, invocations, and supplications would be considered as righteous and favorite deeds only if they are performed with sincerity. The authenticity of a deed and its becoming favorite depends in proportion to the sincerity of the performer.

From this consideration; firstly we must discuss sincerity ( ikhlas ), and I will describe some of the righteous deeds later on. The Sincerity The position of sincerity has been described as one of the highest stages of a wayfarer's gnostic journey and attainment of self-perfection. It is because of sincerity that the heart becomes center of illumination for Divine light, whereby wisdom and knowledge flowing through heart manifest themselves through appearing upon the tongue.

The Holy Prophet (S) has said: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: ما اخلص عبد اربعين صباحا الا جرت ينابيع الحكمة من قلبه على لسانه. “Whoever devotes himself sincerely for a period of forty days for God-Almighty, streams of wisdom flowing from his heart will appear upon his tongue.” [^1] The Commander of the Faithful Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) said: قال على عليه السلام: اين الذين اخلصوا اعمالهم لله وطهرا قلبهم لمواضع نظر الله.

“Where are those who performed their deeds with sincerity for God-Almighty, and purified their hearts so that they could absorb God's special attention towards them.” [^2] Hadhrate Fatimah al-Zahra[^3] (s.a.) the daughter of the Holy Prophet (S) has said: قالت سيدة النسا صلوات الله عليها: من اصعد الى الله خالص عبادته اهبط الله افضل مصلحته.

“Whoever sends pure and sincere worship for God-Almighty, He too reciprocates by bestowing upon Him His best favors.” [^4] The Commander of the Faithful Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) has said: قال على عليه السلام: قلوب العباد الطاهرة مواضع نظر الله سبحانه فمن طهر قلبه نظر الله اليه.