💌 Questions to ask ourselves before we post a message,
Matters to reflect on so efforts are not wasted:
Is that for Allah? Are you trying to encourage
Other Muslims to do good so Allah is worshipped,
To help and uplift their moods as an act of kindness?
~•~
Or do you aim to prove you're proficient at English,
Portraying artistic skills in order to impress
Stalkers, proving you're talented or educated,
Or are your posts intended as indirect gossip,
To entertain your army of resentful critics?
~•~
To invite others to Allah should be the purpose
Of posting your status updates, spreading helpful tips,
Recording Islamic lectures, sharing useful clips,
And typing a verse from the Qur'an or a Hadith,
Not to show off your knowledge or display you're righteous.
~•~
Nothing notable can be gained if your main motive
For inspiring is to have your ego augmented.
Do Da'wah for Allah in ways that are creative,
Impart wisdom to touch hearts and comfort those depressed,
And utilize the tools Allah gave to pass His tests.
~•~
So your service and contributions are accepted,
Make sure they're for Allah, not to make His slaves jealous,
Not for riyaa nor to build a distinguished image,
But solely for Allah, while sincere and wholehearted,
To support Allah and join His allies and Prophets.
~•~
📖 Mahmud Ibn Labid RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, my greater fear for you is the lesser idolatry (minor shirk/polytheism)." They said, “What is the lesser idolatry, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "It is (riyaa) ostentation. Allah the Almighty will say to them on the Day of Resurrection, when people are being recompensed for their deeds: 'Go to those for whom you made a show in the world and look, do you find any reward with them?'"
Source: Musnad Ahmed 23119
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, the first people to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who was martyred. He will be brought, the blessings of Allah will be made known and he will acknowledge them. Allah will say: 'What did you do about them?' The man will say: 'I fought in Your Cause until I was martyred.' Allah will say: 'You have lied, for you fought only that it would be said you were brave, and thus it was said.' Then, Allah will order him to be dragged upon his face until he is cast into Hellfire. Another man studied religious knowledge, taught others, and recited the Qur'an. He will be brought, the blessings of Allah will be made known and he will acknowledge them. Allah will say: 'What did you do about them?' The man will say: I learned religious knowledge, taught others, and I recited the Qur'an for Your sake. Allah will say: 'You have lied, for you studied only that it would be said you are a scholar and you recited the Qur'an only that it would be said you are a reciter, and thus it was said.' Then, Allah will order him to be dragged upon his face until he is cast into Hellfire. Another man was given an abundance of blessings from Allah and every kind of wealth. He will be brought, the blessings of Allah will be made known and he will acknowledge them. Allah will say: 'What did you do about them?' The man will say: 'I did not leave any good cause beloved to You but that I spent on it for Your sake.' Allah will say: 'You have lied, for you spent only that it would be said you are generous, and thus it was said.' Then, Allah will order him to be dragged upon his face until he is cast into Hellfire."
Source: Sahih Muslim 1905
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim
📖 Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, deeds are only with intentions. Verily, every person will have only what they intended. Whoever emigrated to Allah and His Messenger, his emigration is for Allah and His Messenger (SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam). Whoever emigrated to get something in the world or to marry a woman, his emigration is for that to which he emigrated."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 54
Sahih Muslim 1907
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim