Gauteng Safar – After Esha – Riya(Ostentation)

Main Topic

Understanding Riyah (ostentation and showing off) and cultivating true Ikhlas (sincerity) in one's faith and worship.

Key Lessons

• The Value of Iman: Faith is the most valuable possession of a believer; passing away without Iman leads to total ruin in the Aakhirah.
• Gravity of Riyah: Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) described even small amounts of Riyah as a form of shirk (minor polytheism).
• Categories of Riyah:
  1. Riyah in Aqeedah: Showing Iman outwardly while concealing disbelief, which is the state of the Munafiqeen (hypocrites).
  2. Riyah in Obligatory Actions (Faraz): Performing mandatory worship solely because others are watching.
  3. Riyah in Voluntary Actions (Nawafil): Performing optional worship only in public, altering performance quality for specific audiences, or having a dual intention for both Allah Ta'ala and public approval.
• Shaitan's Deceptions: Satan attempts to ruin good deeds either by causing a person to abandon worship out of fear of showing off, or by prompting them to boast about past good deeds years later (e.g., on social media or in conversation).

Quranic/Hadith References

• Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam): "Inna yaseerar-riyahi shirkun" (Verily, a small amount of Riyah is shirk).
• Reference to Hadhrat Ibrahim (Alayhis Salam) being described as Hanif—turning completely away from all creation to focus solely on Allah Ta'ala.

Practical Advice

• Fix the Bug, Keep the Mattress: Never abandon a good deed because of Riyah or waswasa (satanic whispers). Remove the Riyah (the bedbug) while keeping the deed (the mattress).
• Renew Intentions: Consciously declare sincerity before starting an action, refresh the intention if distracting thoughts arise during the action, and seek forgiveness (Istighfar) after completing it.
• Engage in Solitary Worship: Regularly perform worship in secret (such as Tahajjud prayer) to build and test true Ikhlas.
• Conceal Good Deeds: Avoid sharing personal acts of charity, extra prayers, or righteous accomplishments with others or on social media.