Ibn Daud - A Handbook of Spiritual Medicine

CHAPTER 22
Ostentation or
الرِيَاء [Riyā’a] Showing Off
Ostentation is when you perform an act of devotion for other than
the Creator’s sake, for the purpose of seeking some worldly benefit,
praise or admiration from His creation. Ostentation is a branch of
#ubb al-jāh, love of fame and glory.
When you split the purpose of worship by endeavoring to attain
both public acclaim as well as the pleasure of Allāh (i.e. partnering
with Allāh ), therein lies a hint of polytheism (lesser shirk).
OSTENTATION OR
SHOWING OFF
The Messenger of Allāh said:
o “If anyone wants to have his deeds widely publicised, Allāh
will publicise (his humiliation). And if anyone makes a
hypocritical display of his deeds, Allāh will make a display of
him” [%a#ī# Muslim 2986:47]
o “Verily, even a little ostentation is shirk” [Ibn Mājah 3989]
o “Shall I not tell you about what I fear for you more than the
presence of the False Messiah?” We said, “Of course!” He
said, “Hidden polytheism; that a man stands for prayer and
beautifies his prayer because he sees another man looking at
him” [Ibn Mājah 4204]
People are known to commit riyā’a due to:
o Craving praise and acclaim (the admiration of people) over
the pleasure of Allāh because their faith in Him has become
weak
o Fear of criticism or humiliation, by making a display of good
deeds (for example, praying in the mosque out of fear of being
criticised by people for not doing so)
o An envious greed for worldly wealth: seeing the possessions
of others, they hanker after them, largely in the hope that one
day they will be able to parade similar trophies and trinkets
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