RIYAA (Show) *Allah Ta'ala* says:
*"They display to people (their acts of Ibaadat)."* *Rasulullah* Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: *"Most certainly, even a little riyaa is Shirk."* *Riyaa* is the intention to enhance one's dignity in the eyes of the people by means of acts of obedience to *Allah Ta'ala*. This attitude totally defeats the purpose of *Ibaadat*. The purpose of *Ibaadat* is to gain the Pleasure of *Allah Ta'ala*. Since show or display of *Ibaadat* involves division of purpose, *riyaa *is termed *shirk-e-asghar* ((he lesser shirk). By means of riyaa one splits the purpose of lbaadat by endeavouring to attain both public acclaim as well as the Pleasure of *Allah Ta'ala*. In this regard the Qur'aan Shareef says: *"He who hopes for the meeting with His Rabb should practise righteousness and associate none with the Ibaadat of his Rabb."* The Mufassireen have explained ... *"and associate none with the Ibaadat of his Rabb" is "to refrain from riyaa".* Qadhi Thanaa-ullah explained this aayat in Tafseer-ul Mazhari as follows: *"He (the worshipper) does not exhibit his good acts nor does he seek reward or praise for his virtuous deeds from anyone besides Allah Ta'ala."* It is also mentioned in the Hadith Shareef that on the *Day of Qiyaamah*when *Allah Ta'ala* will be compensating people for their deeds, the people of riyaa will be commanded to proceed for reward to those for whom they had intended the exhibition of their acts of Ibaadat. In a lengthy Hadith it is said that on the *Day of Qiyaamah* three persons will be ushered into the presence of *Allah Ta'ala*. These three will be an *Aalim*, a *generous person *and a *Mujaahid* who had waged *jihaad*. These three will proffer their respective acts of *Ibaadat* to *Allah Ta'ala* Who will say to them: *"You have rendered these deeds for riyaa and acclaim. You rendered these acts so that people may say: 'You are a great Aalim, a generous person and a great Mujaahid. 'You have already obtained what you had sought. People have already praised you on earth. You have therefore no right here. Enter the Fire."* *Rasulullah* Sallallahu alayhi wasallam also said that a deed contaminated by even an atom of riyaa is unacceptable to *Allah Ta'ala*. Heed this and reflect! In view of the afore-going, never intend to display any act nor intend to conceal it. Concern yourself with the act itself, intending thereby only the Pleasure of *Allah Ta'ala*. Ignore all diversionary *w aswasah* (stray thoughts and whisperings of the *nafs* and *shaitaan*) which enter your mind. You may at times be assaulted by the thought that your act is to obtain the acclaim of the people. Ignore this *waswasah* which in fact is a ploy of shaitaan or the nafs engineered to side-track you from executing the righteous act. Prior to rendering a good deed, reflect and ascertain your motive. What is your intention for doing the act? Is it to seek the Pleasure of *Allah Ta'ala* or the pleasure of others? If you discern any of the contamination in your *niyyat*, then purify your intention. Divest it of the contamination and firmly resolve to render the deed for the Pleasure of *Allah Ta'ala*. *THE REMEDY* The cure for riyaa is the expulsion from the heart of the desire for fame and name. *Riyaa* in fact is a branch of *hubb-e-jah* (love for name, fame and glory). Execute your acts of lbaadat in solitude. This Ibaadat in solitude refers to such *Ibaadat* which does not have to be performed in * jama'at*. However, regarding congregational *Ibaadat* the elimination of * hubb-e-jah* will be sufficient to combat *riyaa* in this avenue. Another efficacious remedy regarding riyaa developing in an act of *Ibaadat* is to render that specific act of *Ibaadat* in abundance. Within a short while the *riyaa* will be dispelled and by force of habit the *Ibaadat* will become sincere. *-- Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni! OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me! Please take a moment to forgive me for all mistakes and make du`a' for me if you have received anything of benefit. Jazak Allahu khairan !!! Wassalam Safoora *
