Leaving off righteous deeds out of fear of showing off
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
The questioner says: I reduce my good deeds in front of people out of fear of showing off (riya'). He asks: What is the ruling on this action of mine? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
It is not permissible to reduce worship or to neglect it out of fear that it will become showing off (riya') or seeking fame. Some of the Salaf (the earliest generations) said that abandoning an act of worship for the sake of people is showing off (riya').
A person worships his Lord, is sincere to Allah, and improves his deeds. However, abandoning obedience and worship, or not performing them in the correct manner, is not permissible. This is a discouragement from Satan. Perform the deed and be sincere in your intention to Allah the Exalted and Majestic. If you feel any trace of showing off (riya'), repent to Allah and turn to your prayer. Nothing will harm you, if Allah wills. You should also make the supplication of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating partners with You while I know, and I seek Your forgiveness for the sin I do not know." Increase this supplication, and there is no fear for you, if Allah wills.
The presenter:
May Allah bless you and reward you.
The questioner says: I reduce my good deeds in front of people out of fear of showing off (riya'). He asks: What is the ruling on this action of mine? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
It is not permissible to reduce worship or to neglect it out of fear that it will become showing off (riya') or seeking fame. Some of the Salaf (the earliest generations) said that abandoning an act of worship for the sake of people is showing off (riya').
A person worships his Lord, is sincere to Allah, and improves his deeds. However, abandoning obedience and worship, or not performing them in the correct manner, is not permissible. This is a discouragement from Satan. Perform the deed and be sincere in your intention to Allah the Exalted and Majestic. If you feel any trace of showing off (riya'), repent to Allah and turn to your prayer. Nothing will harm you, if Allah wills. You should also make the supplication of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating partners with You while I know, and I seek Your forgiveness for the sin I do not know." Increase this supplication, and there is no fear for you, if Allah wills.
The presenter:
May Allah bless you and reward you.
Source
قناة «إذاعة القرآن الكريم»، نور على الدرب مع معالي الشيخ صالح الفوزان ح7534 — youtube.com (6:51)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.