The Best Way To Serve God is — Not To Make A Show Of It:
When a person feels that Allah (swt) is always watching him, what other people think will become insignificant — and this will make him Respect and Fear only Allah. Seeking the help of Allah to rid himself of the habit of showing off.
Riya (Showing off )refers to doing things that are pleasing to Allah with the intention of seeking admiration from others. The intention in such cases, therefore, is usually to show off one’s good deeds to win praise and admiration of others.
It amounts to practicing virtue out of vanity, with the aim of achieving popularity among people.
Riya (Showing Off )makes us focus on earning appreciation from people rather than seeking Allah’s favor and acceptance. It makes us Focus on people’s appreciation of our virtuous acts, which means we give importance to them, and not to Allah the Most Benevolent.
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah (saw), entered upon us while we were discussing the False Messiah. He said, “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 idolatry; that a man stands for prayer and beautifies his prayer because he sees another man looking at him.”
(Ibn Majah Hadith 4202).
Punishment In This World For Showing Off:
"Whoever shows off, Allah (swt) will expose him".
(Al-Bukhaari, 6134; Muslim; 2986).
Just as there will be a punishment in the Hereafter for showing off, so too there is a punishment for it in this world— which is that Allah will expose him and make his bad intentions known to others.
The One who wants to stop himself showing off — He should remember that Allah (swt) is always watching His slave.
This is the Status of Ihsaan (perfection in worship) which Jibreel (peace be upon him) mentioned to the Prophet (saw) which is that you should worship Allah as if you can see Him, and even though you cannot see Him, He can see you.(Narrated by Muslim: 97).
Abu Hurairah reported that in answer to a man’s question about ‘Ihsaan’ the Prophet (saw) explained, “Ihsan is to Worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) Allah sees you.” (Sahih Bukhari Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 300).
Consciousness of Allah arouses in us Respect and Fear of Allah(swt). What others Think then becomes insignificant. Undue concern about this world is Fruitless.
Knowing the effects of showing off and how it will be judged in the Hereafter. Not knowing this leads to one falling into this sin or persisting in it. One should realize that showing off destroys all one's actions (i.e., cancels out the reward), and that it brings the wrath of Allah.
The wise person does not waste his energy in doing things that do not bring any reward, let alone deeds that bring the wrath and anger of Allah(swt).
The Purpose of a Muslim’s life is to become a “Muhsin” – a doer of Good deeds who performs his actions only for the sake of Allah, in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (saw), without any desire for worldly gain, Praise or Fame.
When our actions are according to Allah (swt) command and on Prophet (saw) methodology then it will become Worship.
We ask Allah (swt) to make our Words and Deeds sincere and to Forgive us For what we commit of showing off. May Allah (swt) Bless our Prophet (saw) and accept our Good deeds. (Ameen).
JazakAllah (May Allah reward you [with] goodness)for reading.
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