رِيَاء
Showing Off
Riya
Definition
Riya is performing acts of worship or good deeds to be seen and praised by people rather than seeking Allah's pleasure alone. It is called the "hidden shirk" because it associates partners with Allah in intention. The Prophet described it as more hidden than a black ant on a black stone on a dark night.
Signs & Symptoms
- 1Worshipping more diligently when others are watching
- 2Mentioning your good deeds in conversation, even subtly
- 3Feeling upset when your charity or worship goes unnoticed
- 4Beautifying your prayer only when praying in congregation
- 5Posting religious activities on social media for validation
- 6Feeling hollow or unsatisfied after worship done in private
Dangers & Consequences
- All deeds done for show are rejected and earn no reward
- It is the most hidden form of shirk
- On the Day of Judgment, people of riya will be told to seek reward from those they showed off to
- It corrupts the heart and makes sincere worship difficult
- The Prophet feared it for his ummah more than the Dajjal
Quranic Warnings
فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ
“So woe to those who pray, who are heedless of their prayer, who make show [of their deeds].”
فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا
“So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.”
Prophetic Guidance
Narrated by Mahmud ibn Labid
إِنَّ أَخْوَفَ مَا أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمُ الشِّرْكُ الْأَصْغَرُ الرِّيَاءُ
“The thing I fear most for you is the minor shirk - showing off.”
Narrated by Jundub ibn Abdullah
مَنْ سَمَّعَ سَمَّعَ اللَّهُ بِهِ وَمَنْ يُرَائِي يُرَائِي اللَّهُ بِهِ
“Whoever does a deed to be heard of, Allah will make him heard of, and whoever does a deed to be seen, Allah will make him seen.”
Narrated by Abu Hurairah
“The first people to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who was martyred. He will be brought and Allah will remind him of His blessings and he will acknowledge them. Allah will say: What did you do with them? He will say: I fought for Your sake until I was martyred. Allah will say: You lied. You fought so that it would be said that you were brave, and it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire.”
Stories of the Righteous
Learn from those who came before
Steps to Cure Showing Off
Dua for Cure
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ
Recite this dua regularly and with sincerity
Sources & References
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