“The Messenger of Allāh sallalahu alayhi wasallam has said in a ḥadīth that riyā (ostentation or show) enters the heart of a person very covertly. It is as undetectable as an ant crawling! (Aḥmad)

A person suffering from this will not even be aware of it entering; it will stealthily crawl into the heart without any prior indication. The most common way Shayṭān misleads pious people is through riyā.

However, one should not stop doing an action thinking that it is useless because it is tainted with riyā. Rather, one should continue with it whilst keeping check on the intention and taking guidance from his Shaykh in this regard.

Additionally:

1. One should constantly make du‘ā to Allāh S to help remove this evil habit.

2. Recite the following du‘ā three times daily:
 
Allāḥumma innī a‘ūdhu bika an ushrika bika wa ana a‘lamu wa astaghfiruka limā lā a‘lamu

O Allāh! I seek your refuge from ascribing partners to you knowingly, and I repent to you for doing so (by means of riyā) unknowingly.

3. Check and correct one’s intention before, during and after every deed.”

Courtesy of In Shaykh's Company: a blog maintained by the students of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah www.shaykh.org

See also:

Showing Off - http://www.muftisays.com/blog/Seifeddine-M/346_02-06-2010/showing-off.html

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 24th August 2011

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