Beware of Riya (Show-off)

Riya (Showing off) is an intention to gain peoples pleasure while doing religious deeds. It describes an action that is solely done to impress the people around oneself to gain their approval and superior status. In today’s society showing off has become a trend and a great majority of Muslims are naïve enough to follow it with open minds.  Showing off is just another trait in the character of arrogant. Islam prohibits riya. Riya has many types and forms, but whatever way done it has a tendency to invalidate the actions as stated in Quran and Sunnah. Spending wealth in the way of Allah, preaching religious knowledge and Quran, giving charity, being martyred or doing any deed with the intention to show off before people is wasteful. Such people do not believe in Allah and the Last Day. Allah, the Most High says:

"So woe to the worshippers, who are neglectful of their prayers. Those who want to be seen (by men)" [Soorah al-Maa`oon: 4-6]

"Like those who spened from their wealth to be seen by men, and they do not believe in Allaah and the Last Day. Their example is like the example of a hard rock on which is a little soil, then on it falls heavy rain which flows off it and they will not be able to do anything with whatever they have earned and Allaah does not guide the disbelieving people." [Soorah al-Baqarah: 264]

Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "He who so acts to show off, Allah will disgrace him on the Day of Resurrection, and he who does good deeds so that people (may hold him in high esteem), Allah will expose his hidden evil intentions before the people on the Day of Resurrection." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A person who acquires (religious) knowledge, which is (normally) acquired to gain the Pleasure of Allah, (for the sole reason) to secure worldly comforts will not even smell the fragrance of Jannah on the Day of Resurrection (i.e., will not enter Jannah)." [Abu Dawud]

This ahadith show the consequences of different acts of show-off and informs us that such acts will be a cause of humiliation and disgrace on the Day of Judgment. A Muslim should be well aware of such a hideous act and try to eliminate it from their life’s as much as possible.