Question:
Please give a complete explanation on Riya (showing off) in worships
Answer:
In Islam, all acts of worship must be performed purely for Allahﷻ alone. We already understand that we should not associate partners with Allahﷻ . But sometimes a person performs worship for Allahﷻ yet mixes it with another intention.
For example, suppose someone is praying. While he is praying, he notices that people are watching him. Then he begins to lengthen his prayer, recites longer passages, and tries to appear more pious — so that people will think he is a very devout worshipper.
Although he is praying to Allahﷻ , part of his intention becomes seeking praise from people.
This is called Riya — showing off or seeking praise.
To understand this clearly, one hadith is enough.
On the Day of Judgment, Allahﷻ will question three types of people.
One of them is a religious scholar. Allahﷻ will ask him: “What did you do?”
He will say: “I learned knowledge and taught it.”
Allahﷻ will ask: “Did you do that for My sake?”
But the reality will be revealed: he did it so that people would say, “He is a great scholar.”
And Allahﷻ will say: “They already said it.”
Then he will be thrown into Hell.
Another person will be a martyr who sacrificed his life. Allahﷻ will ask him what he did. He will say: “I gave my life for Your sake.”
But Allahﷻ will say: “No — you did it so people would call you a brave hero.”
They already called you that. Then he will be sent to Hell.
Another person will be a wealthy man who gave charity. Allahﷻ will ask him what he did with his wealth.
He will say: “I gave generously in charity.”
But Allahﷻ will say: “You did it so people would call you a generous person.”
And they already praised you for that. So, he too will be thrown into Hell.
This shows how dangerous Riya is.
If any act is done so that people will praise us — even something good like teaching knowledge, charity, or sacrifice — it loses its sincerity.
Allahﷻ even warns in the Qur’an about people who pray merely to show others: “Woe to those who pray but show off their prayer to people.”
So, whenever a person notices the thought entering his heart — “People should admire me” — he should immediately seek refuge in Allahﷻ and correct his intention.