Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tilib 447
whims and desires and the whims and desires of those under whom
he works, so he forgets the supreme Islamic goal, which is seeking
the pleasure of Allah (&) and His bounty in paradise. When the aims
and goals are changed, the plan of action changes and becomes
focused on worldly matters, the aims of which do not go beyond this
life. It also changes relationships and ties, which become based on
worldly interests instead of faith and piety, and there are other
consequences of changing goals.454
3.6.3. Showing off
Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) said: "Do not do any good deed
to show off, and do not refrain from doing it out of shyness."455 He
also said: "There are three signs of the show-off: he is lazy when he is
alone and active when he is with other people; he does more if he is
praised because of it; and he does less if he is criticised because of
it.,,456 The texts of Sharia described showing off as a lesser form of
polytheism. The Messenger of Allah (g) said: '"The thing I fear most
for you is lesser polytheism." They said: "What is lesser polytheism,
0 Messenger of Allah (g)?" He said: "Showing off. Allah will say
on the Day of Resurrection, when He will reward the people for their
deeds: 'Go to those to whom you used to show off in the world, and
see whether you find any reward with them."'457 It was also narrated
that Shaddgd ihn Aws said: "At the time cf the Messenger of Allah
(g), we used to regard showing off as lesser polytheism."458
Arnir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali(4)
warned against serious diseases
of the heart that have to do with the desire to please another person
and show off to people. He encouraged people to focus their intention
on Allah (s) alone, to devote their acts of obedience to Him alone
and to adhere to the way of the Prophet's Sunnah. It is proven from
hi that he said: "No words xe good unless accompanied by action,
and no action is good unless accompanied by intention, and no