friendly reminder ✨

RIYA{show off}

Riya is showing off a good characteristic or manner with sole intention of getting a positive response from people..A person reading his prayers or fasting just to let people know that he is a good practicing muslimah will be an example of Riya
The prophet (PBUH) said"the thing I fear most for you is minor shirk" he was asked what that was and he said "showing off"
People resort to Riya in five types of action
Riya of the body
Riya of beauty
Riya of speech
Riya of action
Riya of the external affairs

1) Riya of the body
If we show off that our bodies are getting weak because we are more consumed with worship instead of eating and sleeping, then that will be considered as riya of the body. On the other hand, riya in the worldly aspect is when someone beautifies his or her body to become ‘famous.’

2) Riya of beauty and dress
Keeping a long beard just to get a good name among religious people is riya of worship, whereas the worldly aspect of riya in beauty is showing off your beauty to others so people will be attracted to you.

The wordly aspect of riya of the dress is when we buy brand name and expensive clothes simply to gain the positive attention, or even envy, of others. The riya of dress related to worship is when someone shows off that he or she is pious by wearing old clothes or clothes which are lower in quality than a person of his social status usually wears.

3) Riya of speech
Riya of the speech in worship is talking about the hereafter or religious topics to show off “how religious we are,” or uttering adhkar (invokations of God) like “alhamdulillah” just so people know that this person is very religious. In the worldly aspect, riya could be tooting one’s horn and boasting one’s achievements so he or she can gain respect among people.

4) Riya of the actions
Praying with a long ruku or sujood with the intention of pleasing the people, can be riya of the actions in our worship. In the worldly aspect, riya of the actions, for example is holding a big dinner party simply to show off one’s wealth.

5) Riya of the external affairs
This kind of riya is different than the other four types mentioned as it is not related to one’s own self but it is related to external affairs. One example of this type of riya in worship is sitting in the company of scholars and/or inviting them to one’s home so this person would seem pious. The worldly aspect is visiting and socializing with wealthy or influential people to show off one’s importance.

In all five types of riya mentioned above we see that they are divided in two categories. One category is related to worldly affairs and the other one is related to acts of worship. In Shar’i laws riya in the worldly aspect is not considered haram, as in a person will not face the punishment for committing a sin. However, a real mo’min should refrain from committing riya in worldly affairs because if we get into the habit of showing off, we will continue committing riya in acts of worship. And this will not only make our acts of worship null and void, but we will get perhaps a self imposed punishment for that as well. No good will come from this spiritual disease.

Cure for this disease
It’s important to know that riya is an intentional sin, meaning if someone wants to get rid of this sin they should recheck their intentions before performing any act of worship. There are a few recommended acts which can help us get rid of this disease.

1. Removing the love of this material world out of our hearts, and focusing on the fact that our life in this world is for a limited time. It’s better to make use of this limited time for an eternal reward rather than enjoying the praise of mortal men.
2. Making our intentions purely for the sake of Allah to get rid of riya in our ibadaat (worship). And reminding ourselves that any worship without a pure intention will make our reward go away.
3. Asking help from Allah (swt) to get rid of this disease especially by praying and doing tawassul (asking for intercession) with our Holy Prophet (s) and the Holy Imams (as).
4. Respect and honor is only given by Allah Almighty and not by anyone else.

“Those who take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek with them honor [through power]? But indeed, honor belongs to Allah entirely.” (4:139).

5. If our lifestyle is tawheedi, meaning if our life revolves around Allah (swt) and seeking His pleasure alone, we wouldn’t care about what people have to say. And through seeking His pleasure alone, we will be honored by the world as well. This doesn’t mean that we don’t listen to the right and honest advice of our brothers in iman (faith) but it means that we should only focus on what Allah has asked us to do.

“If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.” (3:160).