๐ In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
๐ Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala knows best. "Riyaa" is to do a good deed for the sake of people when it should be done solely to please Allah the All-Knowing. "Riyaa" is doing righteous actions which Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala commanded, not to obey Him but to impress His servants or show off that one is more superior in terms of piety and religiousness.
๐นExamples of "Riyaa":
1] Doing charity and giving relief goods to the needy, while taking photos of themselves to upload the pictures on social media mainly to display they're generous or wealthy enough to assist others financially. Pleasing Allah the Almighty and trying to inspire others to do the same so they can be closer to Allah are not what they intend to do.
2] Taking a photo of your prayer mat after you've prayed Taraweeh or Tahajjud then uploading it so your stalkers can be impressed by how pious you appear.
3] Offering free Islamic lectures not to spread Allah's Message and advise others for Allah's sake, but to portray how much Islamic knowledge you have and showcase your ability to understand Arabic language.
4] Posting selfies with a verse from the Noble Qur'an or a Hadith with the purpose of gaining many fans as though you're some sort of religious celebrity.
5] Cooking a special exotic dish and handing it to a particular somebody with the goal of proving your culinary skills or highlighting your expertise at preparing fancy international dishes. Your motive isn't to feed the hungry and fasting for Allah's sake but to make them realize you're a competent, creative and charitable chef.
6] Typing status updates to demonstrate how linguistically capable and intelligent you are, instead of sincerely doing Da'wah and striving to call others towards Allah's Way.
7] Sharing Islamic posts and links not to encourage Muslims to seek authentic knowledge of Islam and join you in the path to Jannah, but actually doing so to gain likes and followers.
๐ถTips to avoid "Riyaa" / showing off:
1] Before doing anything, pause and actively purify your niyyah/intention. Ensure that all your good deeds are done only to please Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala Who sees His slaves' hearts and conditions.
2] Say Du'a and beg Allah the Most Merciful that He keeps you sincere, accepts your good deeds and that the rewards of serving Him aren't wasted.
3] Do more good deeds for the sake of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala in private which do not require an audience. Pray Qiyaam Al-Layl and Salat Ad-Duha often, feed birds and stray cats, fast Sunnah fasts regularly (every other Monday and Thursday etc.) without letting anybody know you're fasting, and give what you can of financial assistance to the poor without broadcasting your generosity.
4] Even if you're falsely accused of showing off and "Riyaa", steadfastly continue doing the good deeds which you believe can lead you closer to Allah's Love.
5] One of shaytan's traps to prevent Muslims from their duty to enjoin right and forbid evil is threatening them with the likelihood of committing "Riyaa". Don't listen to shaytan's waswaas. If you are certain that an action can lead to Jannah Paradise, especially if it is a Sadaqah Jaariyah, then keep doing it for Allah's sake with pure intention, regardless of critics' wrong assumptions.
~*~
Major Sins - Showing off in Acts of Worship (Ar-Riya) - Abu Hakeem Bilal Davis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-iAFRRaSrE
๐ 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 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
๐ Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam came to us while we were discussing the False Messiah (the dajjaal). The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Shall I not tell you about my greater fear for you than the False Messiah?” We said, “Of course!” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “It is hidden idolatry (riyaa), that a man stands for prayer and beautifies his prayer when he sees another man looking at him.”
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4204
Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Al-Albani
๐ 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
