Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) in his book *Riyad al-Salihin*: "Chapter on what is imagined to be showing off but is not showing off," meaning what a person thinks is showing off but is not.
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The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The author, Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him), said in his book *Riyad al-Salihin* "Chapter on what is imagined to be showing off but is not showing off", meaning what a person thinks is showing off but is not.
Then he mentioned the hadith of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) The people praise him, and the form of the issue in the hadith is that a man does a righteous deed for Allah, not caring whether the people know about it or not, whether they see it or not, whether they hear it or not, but he does it purely for Allah. Then the people praise him for it, saying so-and-so does much good, so-and-so is much in obedience, so-and-so is much in kindness to creation, and the like of that. He said: Sahih Muslim 2642a which is the praise of him, because when people praise a person with good, they are the witnesses of Allah on earth.
This is the meaning of his saying:Sahih Muslim 2642a The difference between this and showing off is that in showing off, one does not do the deed except for the sake of the people, so that the people see it, so there is shirk (associating partners with Allah) in his intention, shirk with Allah by other than Him. As for this, his intention is pure for Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and it did not occur to his mind that the people would praise him or blame him. But the people know, and as the poet said:
"And whatever trait a man has, *** Even if he thinks it is hidden from people, it is known".
Meaning, whatever trait a person has and acts upon it, even if he thinks the people do not know, they will surely know. So if they know of his obedience and praise him and speak well of him, this is not showing off. This is the immediate good news for the believer, since the people have praised him with good. And whoever the people praise with good, it is fitting that he be among the people of Paradise.
As for the one who shows off, and may Allah protect us from that, if he prays, he wants the people to know about it. If he speaks good, he wants the people to hear it so they will praise him for it. The difference between this and what was mentioned in the hadith of Abu Hurayrah today is a great difference. We ask Allah to protect us and you from showing off, and to protect us from the evil of trials. Indeed, He is Able to do all things.
The author, Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him), said in his book *Riyad al-Salihin* "Chapter on what is imagined to be showing off but is not showing off", meaning what a person thinks is showing off but is not.
Then he mentioned the hadith of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
He was asked about a man who does a deed and the people praise him for it, so he said: "That is the immediate good news for the believer."
سئل عن الرجل يعمل العمل فيحمده الناس على ذلك فقال تلك عاجل بشرى المؤمنIt is glad tidings for a believer
تلك عاجل بشرى المؤمنTherefore, when a funeral passed by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions praised it with good, he said: "It is due." Then another passed by and they spoke ill of it, so he said: "It is due." They said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is due?" He said: "As for the first, Paradise is due for him, and as for the second, the Fire is due for him. You are the witnesses of Allah on earth."
ولهذا لما مرت جنازة من عند النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أصحابه أثنوا عليها خيرا قال وجبت ثم مرت أخرى فأثنوا عليها شرا قال وجبت فقالوا يا رسول الله ما وجبت فقال أما الأول فوجبت له الجنة وأما الثاني فوجبت له النار أنتم شهداء الله في الأرضThis is the meaning of his saying:
It is glad tidings for a believer
تلك عاجل بشرى المؤمن"And whatever trait a man has, *** Even if he thinks it is hidden from people, it is known".
Meaning, whatever trait a person has and acts upon it, even if he thinks the people do not know, they will surely know. So if they know of his obedience and praise him and speak well of him, this is not showing off. This is the immediate good news for the believer, since the people have praised him with good. And whoever the people praise with good, it is fitting that he be among the people of Paradise.
As for the one who shows off, and may Allah protect us from that, if he prays, he wants the people to know about it. If he speaks good, he wants the people to hear it so they will praise him for it. The difference between this and what was mentioned in the hadith of Abu Hurayrah today is a great difference. We ask Allah to protect us and you from showing off, and to protect us from the evil of trials. Indeed, He is Able to do all things.
