Advice for one who has abandoned calling others to Islam out of fear of showing off
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Our sister also says: I am very afraid of showing off (riya') and I guard against it to the extent that sometimes I am unable to advise some people or forbid them from certain matters, such as backbiting or not wearing the hijab that fully covers the body. I fear that this might be showing off on my part, and I also fear that they might think so, so I do not advise them of anything. I also say to myself: they are educated people and do not need teaching, nor are they in need of advice. She seeks guidance, Your Eminence the Shaykh?
Answer: This is one of the schemes of Satan, for Satan has schemes by which he causes people to falter in calling to Allah, and in enjoining good and forbidding evil. Among these is that he makes them think that this is showing off, or that this is something people might consider showing off. So it is not permissible for you, O sister in Allah, to pay attention to this. Rather, it is obligatory that you advise your brothers and sisters if you see from any of them a shortcoming in an obligatory duty or the commission of a forbidden act, such as backbiting, talebearing, and a woman not covering herself in front of non-mahram men, and the like. Do not fear showing off. Be sincere to Allah and truthful with Allah, and be glad with good news. Leave the deceptions and whispers of Satan. Allah knows what is in your heart of intention and sincerity to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and advice for His servants.
There is no doubt that showing off (riya') is shirk (associating partners with Allah) and is not permissible. However, it is not permissible for a believer, male or female, to abandon what Allah has made obligatory upon him, namely calling to Allah and enjoining good and forbidding evil, out of fear of showing off. Rather, he must guard against showing off, and he must perform the obligatory duty of calling to Allah and enjoining good and forbidding evil among men and among women. Every person is in need; the man is in need and the woman is in need. Just as the man enjoins good and forbids evil, so the woman enjoins good and forbids evil. Allah has clarified this in His great Book, where He said (Glorified and Exalted is He): [At-Tawbah: 71]. This contains an exhortation for everyone, and that among the obligations of faith is enjoining good and forbidding evil for everyone, men and women. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.
Answer: This is one of the schemes of Satan, for Satan has schemes by which he causes people to falter in calling to Allah, and in enjoining good and forbidding evil. Among these is that he makes them think that this is showing off, or that this is something people might consider showing off. So it is not permissible for you, O sister in Allah, to pay attention to this. Rather, it is obligatory that you advise your brothers and sisters if you see from any of them a shortcoming in an obligatory duty or the commission of a forbidden act, such as backbiting, talebearing, and a woman not covering herself in front of non-mahram men, and the like. Do not fear showing off. Be sincere to Allah and truthful with Allah, and be glad with good news. Leave the deceptions and whispers of Satan. Allah knows what is in your heart of intention and sincerity to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and advice for His servants.
There is no doubt that showing off (riya') is shirk (associating partners with Allah) and is not permissible. However, it is not permissible for a believer, male or female, to abandon what Allah has made obligatory upon him, namely calling to Allah and enjoining good and forbidding evil, out of fear of showing off. Rather, he must guard against showing off, and he must perform the obligatory duty of calling to Allah and enjoining good and forbidding evil among men and among women. Every person is in need; the man is in need and the woman is in need. Just as the man enjoins good and forbids evil, so the woman enjoins good and forbids evil. Allah has clarified this in His great Book, where He said (Glorified and Exalted is He):
The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُوْلَئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌThe presenter: May Allah reward you.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.