I, praise be to Allah, pray with the congregation in the mosque, but at most times something comes to me that tells me that you are praying out of showing off to people, but I seek refuge in Allah.
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The questioner : I, praise be to Allah, pray with the congregation in the mosque, but at most times something comes to me that tells me that you are praying out of showing off to people, but I seek refuge in Allah from this. Also, at some times it makes me doubt Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), where it tells me: if I advise my brothers and family and read to them good books, it tells me that you do not do that except to gain fame so that they say you are a man of good and religion, and that what you do is nothing but showing off. What do you advise me? May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : What we advise you to know is that these whispers are from Satan, who casts them into your heart to prevent you from this act, and indeed to prevent you from the righteous deed you wish to perform. You know from yourself that you did not go to the mosque to pray with the congregation out of showing off or reputation, but rather you went in obedience to the command of Allah and His Messenger. You also know that you did not undertake advising your family, your companions, and those who contact you except to guide them to the religion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), hoping that Allah will guide them through your hands, so that you may attain the great good about which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: All of this is firmly established in the depths of your heart, and you are aware of it, and you do not do it except while you are reassured of this intention and purpose. So the thoughts and illusions that come to you are nothing but whispers from Satan to prevent you from good and calling to it.
This used to befall the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and what befell them was even greater than this. They were struck by such anxieties and thoughts that if they had fallen from the sky, it would have been more beloved to them than what was in their hearts, or if they had burned until they became molten, it would have been easier for them. But the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded them to seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan, to cease from these whispers, and to turn away from them. By doing so, they are cured of them, and they are removed by the permission of Allah (Mighty and Majestic).
So be patient in obedience to Allah. Be patient in going to the mosques and in calling to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Do not look at these illusions that befall you or the thoughts that Satan casts into your heart at all. If you practice turning away from them and not paying attention to them, and you seek help from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in that, and ask Him to remove them from your heart, then rejoice in good, for Allah the Exalted will remove them.
The Shaykh : What we advise you to know is that these whispers are from Satan, who casts them into your heart to prevent you from this act, and indeed to prevent you from the righteous deed you wish to perform. You know from yourself that you did not go to the mosque to pray with the congregation out of showing off or reputation, but rather you went in obedience to the command of Allah and His Messenger. You also know that you did not undertake advising your family, your companions, and those who contact you except to guide them to the religion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), hoping that Allah will guide them through your hands, so that you may attain the great good about which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
If Allah guides one person through you, it is better for you than red camels.
لئن يهدي الله بك رجلاً واحدً خير لك من حمر النعمThis used to befall the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and what befell them was even greater than this. They were struck by such anxieties and thoughts that if they had fallen from the sky, it would have been more beloved to them than what was in their hearts, or if they had burned until they became molten, it would have been easier for them. But the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded them to seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan, to cease from these whispers, and to turn away from them. By doing so, they are cured of them, and they are removed by the permission of Allah (Mighty and Majestic).
So be patient in obedience to Allah. Be patient in going to the mosques and in calling to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Do not look at these illusions that befall you or the thoughts that Satan casts into your heart at all. If you practice turning away from them and not paying attention to them, and you seek help from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in that, and ask Him to remove them from your heart, then rejoice in good, for Allah the Exalted will remove them.