Assalamualaikum,
Juma’ah Mubarak and Welcome back.
Let’s talk briefly about Al-Riyaa, also known as showing off or seeking validation.
This is when we shift from doing good deeds for the sake of Allah.
When we engage in Riyaa, our intentions become completely misguided. What used to be an act to seek Allah’s pleasure, or help others, becomes a quest for validation from people.
Al-Riyaa completely corrupts our sincerity. We may project an image of righteousness to others, while our intentions remain self-centered.
The consequences of Riyaa extend beyond our immediate interactions, it can hinder our personal and spiritual growth. When our focus shifts from Allah to other people’s eyes, we lose sight of the true purpose of our actions.
There are two types of Al-Riyaa, the first is the minor. Also known as the minor shirk, the minor form of Riyaa does not constitute a Muslim becoming a disbeliever.
It is still a big sin in Islam. This deed can cause the Muslim to go to hellfire if Allah does not want to forgive him on the Day of Judgement.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Verily, my greatest fear for you is the lesser form of idolatry.” They said: “What is lesser idolatry, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said, “It is boasting in worship. Allah Almighty will say to them on the Day of Resurrection when people are rewarded for their deeds: Go to those for whom you wished to be praised in the world and see if you find reward in them.”
(Musnad Ahmad hadith 23119)
The Prophet PBUH called it the lesser form of Idolatry, this is when you boast about your good deeds to other people, seeking their praise.
The other, more serious form of Riyaa is the major. This is when a believer performs acts of worship solely for others to praise him.
That is considered the major form of hypocrisy in Islam. One becomes a disbeliever by performing major Riyaa. It falls under major Shirk (worshipping others besides Allah).
When a person solely wants to be praised by others for performing acts of worship, then he finds their opinion more important than that of Allah.
“For they pray to be seen by others, talk good to be seen by others and live their life for others.”
You become a Kafir (disbeliever) because you are worshipping other people, and that is one of the biggest sins you can commit.
When you suspect yourself of performing the Major Shirk, you are expected to repent truthfully and pronounce the Shahadah again.
It is very important to reflect on our intentions and strive for sincerity in all that we do. By setting our priorities straight and focusing on serving Allah, we can avoid the pitfalls of Riyaa and experience the true fulfilment that comes from genuine acts of kindness.
Most of the time, it is not even intentional. It is simply part of human nature to feed off of other people’s approval, that is why it is very important to hide not only our bad deeds but our good as well.
When you are being praised for your good deed, it becomes something you want to experience again, and again, and again.
As I said before, it is not always intentional, but the line between doing something for Allah and others is very thin, so it is more advisable to make sure that people do not even know!
The solution of Riyaa lies in cultivating sincerity and focusing on the true purpose of our actions. It starts with self-reflection and introspection.
By shifting our focus back on pleasing Allah alone, we can overcome this shirk that is Riyaa.
It is important to remind ourselves that the only validation that should matter to us is the one that comes from Allah. Let’s strive for sincerity in all that we do.
May Allah protect us from falling into Al-Riyaa.
