Bragging Rights!

بـسـم الله والصـلاة والســلام علـى رســول الله ، وبعــد

It is Shirk to perform a righteous deed for worldly reasons:

The reward for the action/deed is lost once a person intends with it the praises of the people instead of the pleasure of Allaah. We should take heed of these warnings and contemplate before we speak because many people tend to do this unknowingly. The intention might not necessarily be wrong in the beginning, but later the habit of bragging sets in. So, before/after doing a righteous deed (like: `Umrah, Hajj, Sadaqah etc) the person makes it public and updates the status on his social network as:

1.      On my way to Makkah.

2.      On my way to Madeenah.

3.      Just performed my `Umrah.

4.      Coming back from Taraweeh.

5.      Done a favor for so and so etc.

6.    Helped my neighbors or cooked food for them.

7.  Taking pictures while doing acts of `Ibaadah and posting them.

Sure, it makes sense to let your family know if you're going for `Umrah but to broadcast it to everyone you know via FB, twitter or other similar devices is another issue because there is no reason to do so other than to receive praise. Some people will claim that they are saying it in order to make du`aa for others at their request. So, why not make the du`aa for everyone you know, in their absence, rather than broadcasting it?

The following are some of the points derived from the Aayaat and the Ahaadeeth on the evils of Showing-off (al-Riyaa’):

1. You will be rewarded according to your intentions.

2. al-Riyaa’ is a minor shirk, but a major sin.

3. The thing which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم feared most for the Ummah.

4. It is more hidden than the creeping of an ant.

5. The Prophet’s request to Allaah to make the Hajj free from show-off.

6. The deed in which al-Riyaa’ was done will not be rewarded.

7. Allaah تبارك وتعالى will not look at him, nor have mercy on him.

8. The Person will be punished for the deeds which he did for show-off.

9. It is from the signs of hypocrisy.

10. The saying of Allaah تبارك وتعالى. [Surah al-Kahf (18):110]

11. The saying of Allaah تبارك وتعالى. [Surah Hood (11): 15-16]

12. The saying of Allaah تبارك وتعالى. [Surah al-Shooraa (42):20]

13. We have been encouraged to hide our good deeds to the best of our ability.

14. The person should also fear of being affected by Evil eye.

15. What is not considered as showing-off?

1. You will be rewarded according to your intentions:

Narrated `Umar bin Al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه: I heard Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم saying: “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1) and Saheeh Muslim]

2. al-Riyaa’ is a minor shirk, but a major sin:

Imaam Ahmad recorded that Mahmud bin Labid said that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “What I fear the most for you is the small Shirk.” They said: What is the small Shirk, O Messenger of Allaah. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Showing off (al-Riyaa’). Allaah will say on the Day of Resurrection, when the people are rewarded or punished for their deeds: “Go to the one for whom you were showing off in the world and see if you will find any reward with him.”” [Musnad Ahmad (23630, 23631, 23636) and Shaikh al-Albaanee authenticated its chain in al-Saheehah (951)]

3. The thing which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم feared most for the Ummah:

Abu Sa`eed al-Khudhree رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Shall I not inform you of what I fear most for you than al-maseeh al-Dajjaal?” They said: “Yes O Messenger of Allaah!” He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Hidden Shirk (al-Riyaa’). A man stands to pray, so he beautifies his prayer when he notices someone looking at him.” [Sunan Ibn Maajah (4204) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

`Abbaad bin Tameem reported on the authority of his uncle that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Bereaved are the `Arabs! Bereaved are the `Arabs!” He repeated it thrice. “What I fear for you the most is al-Riyaa’ (showing-off) and hidden desires.” [al-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (508)]

4. It is more hidden than the creeping of an ant:

On the authority of Abu Moosaa رضي الله عنه the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم once delivered a speech (and warned) saying: “O people! Fear this Shirk (and save yourselves from it); for it is more hidden than the creeping of ants.” It was asked: How can we avoid it when it is for hidden than the creeping of ants? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Say: “Allaahumma innaa na`uthu bika an nushrika bika shay’an na`lamuh wa nastaghfiruka lima laa na`lamuh. (O Allaah, we seek refuge with You to not associate anything with You knowingly, and we seek Your forgiveness for (doing) what we know not).”” [Musnad Ahmad (19108) and graded as “Hasan li ghairihee” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Targheeb (36)]

5. The Prophet’s request to Allaah to make the Hajj free from show-off:

It was narrated that Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه said: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم performed Hajj on an old saddle, wearing a cloak that was worth four Dirhams or less. Then he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝O Allaah! (Make this) a Hajj in which there is no showing off nor seeking fame.❞

[Sunan Ibn Maajah (2890), al-Tirmidhee in al-Shamaail (317, 323) and graded as “Saheeh li ghairihee” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (2617)], Saheeh al-Targheeb (1122) and Saheeh al-Jaami` (1302)]

6. The deed in which al-Riyaa’ was done will not be rewarded:

Imaam Ahmad recorded that Abu Sa`eed bin Abi Fadaalah Al-Ansari رضي الله عنه, who was one of the Companions, said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم say: “Allaah will gather the first and the last on the Day of Resurrection, the Day concerning which there is no doubt. A voice will call out: “Whoever used to associate anyone with Allaah in the deeds which he did, let him seek his reward from someone other than Allaah, for Allaah is the least in need of any partner or associate.”” [Tirmidhee (3154) and Ibn Maajah (3407) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

7. Allaah تبارك وتعالى will not look at him, nor have mercy on him:

Narrated Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Three are the (persons) with whom Allaah would neither speak on the Day of Resurrection, nor would look at them nor would absolve them, and there is a painful chastisement for them.” The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم repeated it three times. Abu Dharr remarked: They failed and they lost; who are these persons, O Messenger of Allaah? Upon this he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “They are: the Musbil (dragger of lower garment below the ankle), al-Mannaan (the one who does good deeds and reminds the people of it), the seller of goods by false oath.” [Saheeh Muslim (158)]

8. The Person will be punished for the deeds which he did for show-off:

It has been narrated on the authority of Sulaymaan ibn Yaasar who said: People dispersed from around Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه, and Naatil, who was from the Syrians, said to him: O Sheikh, relate (to us) a tradition you have heard from the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. He said: Yes. I heard the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم say: “The first man, (whose case) will be decided on the Day of Judgment, will be a man who died as a martyr. He shall be brought (before the Judgment Seat). Allaah will make him recount His blessings (i.e. the blessings which He had bestowed upon him) and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his life). (Then) will Allaah say: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I fought for You until I died as a martyr. Allaah will say: You have told a lie. You fought so that you might be called a "brave warrior". And you were called so. (Then) orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into Hell. Then there will be brought forward a man who acquired knowledge and imparted it (to others) and recited the Qur’aan. He will be brought, Allaah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Then will Allaah ask: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I acquired knowledge and disseminated it and recited the Qur’aan, seeking Your pleasure. Allaah will say: You have told a lie. You acquired knowledge so that you might be called "a scholar", and you recited the Qur’aan so that it might be said: “He is a Qaaree” and such has been said. Then orders will be passed against him and he shall be dragged with his face downward and cast into the Fire. Then will be brought a man whom Allaah had made abundantly rich and had granted every kind of wealth. He will be brought, Allaah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them and (admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Allaah will (then) ask: What have you done (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I spent money in every cause in which You wished that it should be spent. Allaah will say: You are lying. You did (so) that it might be said about (you): "He is a generous fellow", and so it was said. Then will Allaah pass orders and he will be dragged with his face downward and thrown into Hell.” [Saheeh Muslim (4688)]

9. It is from the signs of hypocrisy:

﴿الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَآءُونَ﴾

{Those who only (pray because they) want to be seen.} [Surah al-Maa`oon (107): 6]

As the hypocrites do:

{...When they (the hypocrites) stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allaah in remembrance.} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 142]

10. The saying of Allaah تبارك وتعالى:

﴿قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَاْ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَى إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـهُكُمْ إِلَـهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلاً صَـلِحاً وَلاَ يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدَا﴾

{Say: “I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is One God. So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.”} [Surah al-Kahf (18):110]

About the Aayah Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه الله said:

{So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord,} i.e., hopes for a good reward and recompense,

{let him work righteousness} meaning, in accordance with the prescribed laws of Allaah,

{and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.} This is what is meant by seeking the pleasure of Allaah alone with no associate or partner. These are the two basic features of acceptable deeds: their intent is for the sake of Allaah alone, and are done in accordance with the way of the Messenger of Allaah.

Imaam Ahmad recorded that Mahmud bin Labid said that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “What I fear the most for you is the small Shirk.” They said: What is the small Shirk, O Messenger of Allaah. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Showing off (al-Riyaa’). Allaah will say on the Day of Resurrection, when the people are rewarded or punished for their deeds: “Go to the one for whom you were showing off in the world and see if you will find any reward with him.”” [Musnad Ahmad (23630, 23631, 23636) and Shaikh al-Albaanee authenticated its chain in al-Saheehah (951)]

Imaam Ahmad recorded that Abu Sa`eed bin Abi Fadaalah Al-Ansari رضي الله عنه, who was one of the Companions, said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم say: “Allaah will gather the first and the last on the Day of Resurrection, the Day concerning which there is no doubt. A voice will call out: “Whoever used to associate anyone with Allaah in the deeds which he did, let him seek his reward from someone other than Allaah, for Allaah is the least in need of any partner or associate.”” [Tirmidhee (3154) and Ibn Maajah (3407) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

--end of quote

11. The saying of Allaah تبارك وتعالى:

﴿مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْحَيَوةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لاَ يُبْخَسُونَ - أُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ إِلاَّ النَّارُ وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُواْ فِيهَا وَبَاطِلٌ مَّا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ﴾

{Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire, and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do.} [Surah Hood (11): 15-16]

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Let the slave of Dinaar and Dirham and Khameesa (luxurious clothes) perish; for he is pleased if these things are given to him, and if not, he is displeased! Let such a person perish and relapse, and if he is pierced with a thorn, let him not find anyone to take it out for him. Paradise is for him who holds the reins of his horse to strive in Allaah's cause (Jihaad), with his hair unkempt and feet covered with dust: if he is appointed in the vanguard, he is perfectly satisfied with his post of guarding, and if he is appointed in the rearward, he accepts his post with satisfaction; (he is so simple and unambiguous that) if he asks for permission he is not permitted, and if he intercedes, his intercession is not accepted.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2887)]

About the Aayah Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه الله says:

“Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said concerning this verse: “Verily those who show-off will be given their reward for their good deeds in this life. This will be so that they are not wronged, even the amount equivalent to the size of the speck on a date-stone.”

Ibn `Abbas continued رضي الله عنهما saying: “Therefore, whoever does a good deed seeking to acquire worldly gain - like fasting, prayer, or standing for prayer at night - and he does so in order to acquire worldly benefit, then Allaah says: `Give him the reward of that which he sought in the worldly life,' and his deed that he did is wasted because he was only seeking the life of this world. In the Hereafter he will be of the losers.”

A similar narration has been reported from Mujaahid, Ad-Dahhaak and many others.

Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه and Al-Hasan both said: “This verse was revealed concerning the Jews and the Christians.”

Mujaahid and others said: “This verse was revealed concerning the people who perform deeds to be seen.”

Qataadah said: “Whoever’s concern, intention and goal is this worldly life, then Allaah will reward him for his good deeds in this life. Then, when reaches the next life, he will not have any good deeds for which will be rewarded. However, concerning the believer, he will be rewarded for his good deeds in this life and in the Hereafter as well.”

--end of quote

12. The saying of Allaah تبارك وتعالى:

﴿مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الاٌّخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُ فِى حَرْثِهِ وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهُ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ مِن نَّصِيبٍ﴾

{Whosoever desires the reward of the Hereafter, We give him increase in his reward, and whosoever desires the reward of this world, We give him thereof, and he has no portion in the Hereafter} [Surah al-Shooraa (42):20]

About the Aayah Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه الله says:

{Whosoever desires the reward of the Hereafter} means: whoever does things for the sake of the Hereafter.

{We give him increase in his reward} meaning: `We will give him strength and help him to do what he wants to do, and We will increase it for him. So for every good, We will multiply it and give him between ten and seven hundred good rewards,' as much as Allaah wills.

{and whosoever desires the reward of this world, We give him thereof, and he has no portion in the Hereafter} means: whoever strives for the purpose of worldly gains, and never pays any heed to the Hereafter at all, Allaah will deny him the Hereafter; and in this world, if He wills He will give to him and if He does not will, he will gain neither. So, the one who strives with this intention in mind will have the worst deal in this world and in the Hereafter. The evidence for that is the fact that this Aayah is reinforced by the passage in Subhaan (i.e., Surat Al-Israa') in which Allaah says:

{Whoever desires the quick-passing, We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell; he will (enter) burn therein disgraced and rejected. And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it while he is a believer -- then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated. On each -- these as well as those -- We bestow from the bounties of your Lord. And the bounties of your Lord can never be forbidden. See how We prefer one above another (in this world), and verily, the Hereafter will be greater in degrees and greater in preferment.} [Surah al-Israa’ (17):18-21]

Narrated Ubai bin Ka`b رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Give the glad tidings to this Ummah of sublimity, high status, victory and power in the land. But whoever among them does the deeds of the Hereafter for the sake of worldly gain will have no portion of the Hereafter.” [Musnad Ahmad (21220, 21221, 21222, 21223, 21224), Ibn al-Hibbaan in his Saheeh (405), al-Haakim in his Mustadrak (7862) and said: “It is Saheeh” and al-Dhahabee agreed with him. Shaikh al-Albaanee in Ahkaam al-Janaaiz (70) also graded this Hadeeth as “Saheeh” and said: “it is as per the condition of al-Bukhaaree.”]

--end of quote

Shaikh al-Sa`dee رحمه الله said:

In the saying of Allaah تعالى: {Whosoever desires the reward of the Hereafter} meaning: its recompense and its reward, and believed in it (the Hereafter) and affirmed it, and worked towards it, {We give him increase in his reward} meaning: by increasing many fold his deeds and its reward as Allaah تعالى said: {And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it while he is a believer -- then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated} [Surah al-Israa’ (17): 19], and along with that, no doubt, he will receive his share of the Dunyaa.

{and whosoever desires the reward of this world} meaning: as for the one whose only intend by it is the Dunyaa and that is what he seeks, and he does not sent forth anything for the Hereafter, neither seeking its reward, nor fearing its punishment, {We give him thereof} his share of the Dunyaa which was destined for him. {and he has no portion in the Hereafter} meaning: the Paradise and its blessings will be made Haraam for him, and he will be punished in the Hellfire.

--end of quote

13. We have been encouraged to hide our good deeds to the best of our ability:

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allaah will give shade, to seven, on the Day when there will be no shade but His. (These seven persons are) (1) a just ruler; (2) a youth who has been brought up in the worship of Allaah (i.e. worships Allaah sincerely from childhood); (3) a man whose heart is attached to the mosques (i.e. to pray the compulsory prayers in the mosque in congregation); (4) two persons who love each other only for Allaah’s sake and they meet and part in Allaah’s cause only; (5) a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for illicit intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allaah; (6) a man who gives charitable gifts so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity); (7) and a person who remembers Allaah in seclusion and his eyes are then flooded with tears.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (660, 1423, 6806) and Saheeh Muslim (1718)]

14. The person should also fear of being affected by Evil eye:

A person should be on high alert that by his bragging too much he might be affected by evil eye from a person who became jealous of him.

The “evil eye” is real, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has confirmed it.

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The evil eye is a fact.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5048) and Saheeh Muslim (2187)]

Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The evil eye is real, and if anything were to overtake the divine decree (al-qadar) it would be the evil eye.” [Muslim (2188)]

The evil eye usually comes from people who are jealous or envious (Hasad) as Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: “Everyone who gives the evil eye is jealous, but not everyone who is jealous gives the evil eye…”

He also said: “It begins when the person likes something, then his evil soul dwells on the matter, and by continually looking at the person who has the thing of which he feels jealous, he directs his venom towards him. A person may put the evil eye on himself, or he may put the evil eye on someone else without intending to, because it is a part of his nature.

This is the worst type of human being. Our companions and other fuqahaa’ said: if someone is known for this, he should be detained by the imaam (leader), who should spend on him and provide for him until he dies. This idea is absolutely correct…” [Zaad al-Ma`aad, (4/167)]

Although it is correct that the evil eye comes from people who feel jealous (Hasad), it may also come from a person who is not jealous but merely likes something:

Narrated Sahl Ibn Hunaif رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever among you sees something in himself or in his possessions or in his brother that he likes, let him pray for blessing for it, because the evil eye is real.” [Ibn al-Sunni in `Aml al-Yaum wal-Laylah, al-Haakim (4/216). And graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Kalim al-Tayyib (244)]

This hadeeth explains that a person may harm himself or his wealth – and no one feels jealous of himself – but he may harm himself with the evil eye by admiring himself.

When a person sees something in someone which amazes him, it is Mustahabb (desirable) for him to pray for that person by saying: “Allaahumma baarik feeh (O Allaah bless him).”

It was reported from Abu Umaamah ibn Sahl ibn Hunaif that his father told him that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم went out and they travelled with him towards Makkah until they reached Shi’b al-Khazzaar in al-Juhfah. Sahl ibn Hunayf رضي الله عنه washed himself, and he was a white man with a handsome body and skin. `Aamir ibn Rabee`ah رضي الله عنه, the brother of Bani `Udayy ibn Ka`b, looked at him when he was washing, and said: “I have never seen anything like this, not even the skin of a virgin in seclusion!” (This was a metaphor for the intense whiteness of his skin). Then Sahl رضي الله عنه suffered a seizure (an epileptic fit, in which he fell to the ground). He was brought to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and it was said: “O Messenger of Allaah, do you know what has happened to Sahl? By Allaah, he cannot raise his head and he will not wake up.” He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Do you accuse anyone with regard to him?” They said: “`Aamir ibn Rabee`ah looked at him.” So the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم called `Aamir and spoke angrily with him saying: “Would any of you like to kill his brother? If you see something that you like, why do you not pray for blessing for it?” Then he said to him (`Aamir): “Do ghusl for him.” So he washed his face, hands, elbows, the soles of his feet and inside his izaar (lower garment) from a vessel, then that water was poured over him (Sahl) – a man poured it over his head and back from behind, tilting the vessel. This was done to him, then Sahl went on with the people and there was nothing wrong with him. [Musnad Ahmad (3/486), al-Haythami in al-Majma` (5/107) said: “the men of Ahmad are the men of Saheeh.” Also reported by Ibn Maajah (3509) with a slight different wordings and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

15. What is not considered as showing-off?:

An example is when a fasting person is given some food or someone fights with him, in response the person can inform him that he is fasting.

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice: ‘I am fasting.’” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم added: “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1894, 1904) and Saheeh Muslim (2563)]

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported Allaah’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: “If any one of you is invited to a meal when he is fasting, he should say: “I am fasting.”” [Saheeh Muslim (2562)]

And Allaah alone is the One who grants success.