بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
❓ Question: Regarding righteous and commendable deeds as Muslims, what are 11 signs that a Muslim may be guilty of riyaa/showing off? Online and offline?
🌐 Meta AI: Riyaa (showing off) is a serious issue in Islam, as it can nullify one's good deeds. Here are 11 signs of riyaa in Muslims, both online and offline:
*Offline Signs:*
1. Seeking praise or compliments from others
2. Boasting about charitable acts or good deeds
3. Performing acts of worship, like prayer or fasting, deliberately to impress people
4. Talking excessively about personal accomplishments or achievements
5. Expecting special treatment or favors from others due to one's piety
6. Displaying religiousness or modest attire solely to gain admiration
*Online Signs:*
1. Posting about charitable acts or good deeds on social media for likes and comments
2. Sharing excessive religious content solely to appear pious
3. Using religious hashtags or phrases to gain online credibility
4. Creating online personas or profiles to showcase one's religiosity
5. Engaging in online debates or arguments to demonstrate knowledge or piety
Additional indicators:
- Feeling upset or disappointed when not recognized or praised
- Prioritizing outward appearance over actual sincerity in worship or deeds
- Using religious language or jargon to sound knowledgeable
- Focusing on quantity over quality in good deeds or worship
- Neglecting humility and modesty in interactions
*How to overcome riyaa:*
1. Intention check: Ensure your intentions are pure and sincere - intend to do good deeds only to please Allah the Almighty with pure Ikhlaas/sincerity.
2. Humility: Recognize your limitations and weaknesses.
3. Modesty: Avoid seeking attention or praise.
4. Private worship: Perform acts of worship privately when possible (such as praying Salat Ad-Duha in the forenoon, even two Sunnah Rak'ahs, and Salat At-Tahajjud Qiyaam Al-Layl whenever you can and without being compelled to announce your good deeds to others)
5. Accountability: Surround yourself with truthful pious Muslim friends or trustworthy mentors if you can.
6. Self-reflection: Regularly examine your intentions and actions.
7. Seek knowledge: Learn about the despicable sin of riyaa and its bad consequences.
8. Du'a (prayer): Ask Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala to protect you from riyaa and nifaaq/hypocrisy.
Remember, riyaa is a subtle and dangerous trap. Constant vigilance and self-reflection are necessary to avoid it.
May Allah the All-Knowing always guide us towards sincerity and humility. Ameen.
💻 ChatGPT: In Islamic teachings, riyaa (showing off) is a serious issue that can undermine the sincerity of one's deeds. Here are 11 signs that a Muslim may be guilty of riyaa, both online and offline:
1. **Seeking Praise**: Performing good deeds with the primary intention of receiving praise or recognition from others.
2. **Public vs. Private Behavior**: Exhibiting a stark contrast in behavior between public and private acts of worship or charity.
3. **Overemphasis on Social Media**: Regularly posting about good deeds on social media deliberately to gain followers or admiration, rather than for the sake of Allah the Almighty.
4. **Feeling Discontent When Unnoticed**: Feeling upset or disappointed if a good deed goes unnoticed or unappreciated by others.
5. **Frequent Comparisons**: Constantly comparing one's actions to those of others to highlight personal achievements.
6. **Engaging in Good Deeds for Show**: Participating in charitable acts primarily to boost one’s image rather than out of genuine compassion.
7. **Worrying About Reputation**: Being overly concerned about how others perceive one’s image or goodness.
8. **Inconsistent Intentions**: Struggling to maintain sincerity in the intention behind actions, especially when recognition is at stake.
9. **Displaying Virtue**: Intentionally seeking opportunities to showcase one's good deeds in front of others.
10. **Eager to Share**: Having an excessive desire to narrate one's good deeds and religious practices to gain respect or admiration.
11. **Neglecting Secret Acts**: Focusing more on public displays of piety while neglecting the importance of private worship and good deeds done in secret.
Awareness of these signs can
Inn-sha-Allah help Muslims reflect on their true intentions and strive for absolute sincerity in all their actions done in public and in seclusion.
May Allah the Most Merciful make all our intentions good and sincere and keep us away from nifaaq/hypocrisy and anything which displease Him Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Ameen.
