The Reality of Showing Off and How to Avoid It
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Question:
Our brother says: I would like you, with your permissibility, to define showing off (riya') for us according to the Shari'ah, and how we can avoid it? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
Riya' is the verbal noun of the verb "to show off" (ra'aa yara'aa riya'an), so the one who does it is called a "show-off" (mura'ee). The meaning is that he performs an act so that people see it: he prays so that people see him, he gives charity so that people see him, his intention is that they praise him, speak well of him, and know that he gives charity, or that he prays, or that he performs Hajj for that, or 'Umrah for that... or the like. Likewise, if he recites so that they praise him, it is called "seeking fame" (sum'ah). If it is through words, it is called seeking fame; or if he enjoins good or forbids evil so that he is praised and spoken well of, not for Allah alone (Glorified and Exalted is He), this is showing off in actions. And what is done for the sake of being heard is called seeking fame. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:.
And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Bulugh al-Maram 16:48. He was asked about it, and he said: . Allah says on the Day of Resurrection to the show-offs: . And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: : "I am the most wealthy of partners regarding shirk (associating partners with Allah). Whoever does an act in which he associates with Me therein other than Me, I leave him and his shirk".
So it is obligatory for the believer to beware of that, and for his actions to be for Allah alone: he prays for Allah, he fasts for Allah, he gives charity for Allah, hoping for His reward and hoping for His forgiveness (Glorified and Exalted is He). Likewise, he enjoins good and forbids evil... he performs Hajj... he performs 'Umrah... he visits the sick, seeking what is with Allah of reward, not the showing off of people, nor the praise of people, nor their fame. This is what is obligatory for the believer, as Allah the Exalted said: [Surat al-Kahf: 110].
We ask Allah for guidance and success for us and for all Muslims.
The presenter: O Allah, amen.
Our brother says: I would like you, with your permissibility, to define showing off (riya') for us according to the Shari'ah, and how we can avoid it? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
Riya' is the verbal noun of the verb "to show off" (ra'aa yara'aa riya'an), so the one who does it is called a "show-off" (mura'ee). The meaning is that he performs an act so that people see it: he prays so that people see him, he gives charity so that people see him, his intention is that they praise him, speak well of him, and know that he gives charity, or that he prays, or that he performs Hajj for that, or 'Umrah for that... or the like. Likewise, if he recites so that they praise him, it is called "seeking fame" (sum'ah). If it is through words, it is called seeking fame; or if he enjoins good or forbids evil so that he is praised and spoken well of, not for Allah alone (Glorified and Exalted is He), this is showing off in actions. And what is done for the sake of being heard is called seeking fame. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whoever shows off, Allah will show him off, and whoever seeks fame, Allah will make him famous.
من راءى راءى الله به، ومن سمع سمع الله بهAnd he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The thing I fear most for you is the lesser shirk
أخوف ما أخاف عليكم الشرك الأصغرRiya' (showing off in worship).
الرياءGo to those for whom you used to show off in this world, and see whether you will find any reward with them.
اذهبوا إلى من كنتم تراءون في الدنيا فانظروا هل تجدون عندهم من جزاءAllah the Exalted says:
يقول الله So it is obligatory for the believer to beware of that, and for his actions to be for Allah alone: he prays for Allah, he fasts for Allah, he gives charity for Allah, hoping for His reward and hoping for His forgiveness (Glorified and Exalted is He). Likewise, he enjoins good and forbids evil... he performs Hajj... he performs 'Umrah... he visits the sick, seeking what is with Allah of reward, not the showing off of people, nor the praise of people, nor their fame. This is what is obligatory for the believer, as Allah the Exalted said:
So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."
فَمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوا لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًاWe ask Allah for guidance and success for us and for all Muslims.
The presenter: O Allah, amen.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.