Part 9 (c): Riya’ and its Types- Heart Therapy

Read the Table of Contents of Heart Therapy

Read Part 9 (b): Riya and its Types  (Riya with respect to the Essence of Worship)

Riya’ with respect to the reason why someone is Showing off

When someone is ostentatious, he usually has a purpose or goal for which he shows off his acts of worship. This could be like trying to obtain wealth, status or the like. This purpose or goal of ostentation also has three degrees:

1. Riya’ in order to perform that is Haram: This is the worst and most destructive type of Riya’. An example of this is when a person displays good deeds in order to get close to a woman (unlawfully) or when a person displays good deeds in order to attain a position of authority which he can abuse and or to attain unlawful wealth.

   This type of ostentatious person is the most hated by Allah because the person has used acts of worship to commit a crime and has taken these acts of worship as a tool for his sinfulness.

2. Riya’ in order to attain some worldly gain: This is when a person aims to attain worldly gain that is, in itself, lawful. Such a person might busy himself with giving Islamic lectures for wealth or so that someone offers his daughter to him in marriage for his religiousness.

   This kind of ostentation is prohibited as it entails seeking something of this worldly life through obedience to Allah; but it is less grave than the previous degree.

3. Riya’ for the purposes of not being thought badly of: Such a person does a good deed in order that he is not disparaged and people do not consider him deficient in his vigour for his religion. As an example he might pray tarawih prayer in order not to be seen as being lazy in his din.

Note: All these degrees and ranks of ostentation expose the one who is ostentatious to Allah’s wrath. Furthermore, ostentation is one of the severest causes of destruction.

Read the next Part 9 (d): Signs of Riya and Curing Riya