What is the ruling on lying, and how do we guard ourselves against showing off?

The questioner : Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. Shaykh, what is the ruling on lying out of fear of showing off?

The Shaykh : Lying. Out of fear of showing off. Lying is not permissible. Out of fear of showing off. And what a person must resist is this, and if a person resists it, then whatever comes to his heart without his intention

The questioner : Yes, without his intention.

The Shaykh : And he resists it. Then that does no harm.

The questioner : It is not considered showing off, if Allah wills.

The Shaykh : Never. And I also tell you, if you do good and show it to people so that they may follow your example, not so that they may praise you, then that is good.

The questioner : Praise be to Allah.

The presenter : Okay.

The Shaykh : For example, if a person says to you, "Come with me for lunch," and you are fasting. Or on Thursday or on the white days, and you say, "I am fasting," intending by that to excuse yourself and for him to follow your example and fast like you, then that is good.