๐ In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
๐ There is a difference between sharing a story or information to purposely show off and informing something with an aim to inspire or warn others. Three examples of cases to clarify how they are different:
1] A social media user posts multiple photos of an exotic dish they've made. It is riyaa / showing off if the actual purpose of uploading those pictures is to flaunt their culinary skills and intentionally make their stalkers jealous. On the other hand, they'd be helpful if they generously include the full recipe, share some cooking tips, and encourage others to try it out.
2] A frequent traveler has an online collection of photos of the various places they've been to. They may be guilty of riyaa / showing off if they intend to display how rich they are that they can travel anytime, and publicize how they're more fortunate than certain individuals because they've traveled to more cities than others did. It's not riyaa / showing off if the motive behind the pictures and videos of their trips is meant for viewers to enjoy and feel as they've already visited those areas they went to. Think of a vlogger who gives you a tour around an interesting park or village so you don't have to go there anymore since you've already seen what it's generally like, or to help you decide whether or not that place is worth visiting someday.
3] A motivational coach or writer shares some of their life experiences on their Facebook timeline, website, books, blog, or an article. It would be riyaa / showing off if their content is deliberately designed to impress particular readers or trigger jealousy to inflate their ego and pacify their insecurities. It would be inspirational, beneficial, and uplifting if the info they shared can persuade others to do the same good deed they've mentioned to motivate for Allah's sake or to avoid their mistakes which they're trying to warn people against.
A large spatula is useful when you use it for frying or mixing. It could be viewed as weird if somebody uses it daily to scratch their back and it turns into a threat if it's used as a weapon. Same item... same appearance... its outcome changes according to its user's intention.
~•~
๐ Ma'qil Ibn Yasar RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: I departed with Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu 'anhu to meet the Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, and the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "O Abu Bakr, there is idolatry (shirk / polytheism) among you more hidden than the crawling of an ant." Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu 'anhu said, “Is there idolatry other than to make another god alongside Allah?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "By the One (Allah the Almighty) in Whose Hand is my soul, there is idolatry more hidden than the crawling of an ant. Shall I not tell you something to say to rid you of it both minor and major? Say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You that I associate partners with You while I know, and I seek Your Forgiveness for what I do not know.'"
Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 715
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
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 (riyaa). 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 (dajjaal)?" We said, “Of course!” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "It is hidden idolatry (minor shirk / 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
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/02/poem-good-deeds-must-be-done-sincerely.html
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/01/poem-reminder-to-myself-and-others-to.html
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/02/note-importance-of-doing-good-deeds.html
