The soul of every act of worship in Islam is Ikhlas (sincerity)—the purest intention to seek Allah’s (SWT) pleasure alone. However, when this intention deviates, it becomes driven by the desire for people’s praise, respect, or worldly gain. This deviation ultimately gives birth to ‘Riya,’ or showing off in worship. The concept of Riya in Islam is a serious one because it acts like a silent assassin, destroying a person’s accumulated deeds over many years. In fact, scholars classify it as ‘Shirk al-Asghar’ (minor shirk), which creates a deep wound in one’s faith. Therefore, this article will discuss in detail Riya’s definition, its severity, its deep-rooted causes, and the ways to find freedom from this dangerous spiritual disease.

Understanding Riya in Islam

The word ‘Riya’ (الرياء) comes from the Arabic root ‘ru’yah’ (رؤية), which means to see or to display. In Islamic terminology, Riya involves performing worship specifically to showcase one’s piety or knowledge to other people. Consequently, the goal becomes gaining their praise instead of pleasing Allah. As the modern Arab literary scholar Sayyid Ahmad al-Hashimi stated:

“Riya is a reprehensible characteristic that calls towards hypocrisy, bad character, and the baseness of deception and fraud.”

For instance, this could involve beautifying and prolonging one’s prayer only when people are watching. Similarly, it could mean publicizing one’s charity simply to be known as generous. In essence, the core of Riya in Islam is any act of worship where people’s perspective becomes more important than Allah’s pleasure.

The Severity of Riya in the Light of the Quran and Hadith

Islam strictly forbids Riya, and its consequences are extremely severe.

In the Light of the Quran:

A Characteristic of the Hypocrites: First, Allah (SWT) describes Riya as a key characteristic of hypocrites, saying:
- إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَامُوا كُسَالَىٰ يُرَاءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
  “Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing off to the people and not remembering Allah except a little.”
  (Surah An-Nisa, Verse: 142)
A Condition for the Acceptance of Deeds: Furthermore, for Allah to accept a deed, one of the primary conditions is that it must be free of shirk. As Allah says:
- فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا
  “…So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord – let him do righteous work and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord.”
  (Surah Al-Kahf, Verse: 110)
The Nullification of Charity: In addition, when a person performs charity for show, it loses its reward
- .يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ كَالَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ
  “O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders of your generosity or injury as does one who spends his wealth only to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day.”
  (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse: 264)

Key Hadith on Riya:

Minor Shirk: Mahmud ibn Labid (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
- “The thing I fear most for you is the minor shirk (Shirk al-Asghar).” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is the minor shirk?” He said, “Riya.”
  (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 23630; Sahih chain)
Consequences on the Day of Judgment:
- On the Day of Judgment, the deeds of one who committed Riya will testify against him. For example, a particularly powerful Hadith on Riya describes how the first people Allah will judge will be a martyr, a scholar, and a charitable person. Despite their actions, they will be cast into Hellfire. This is because they performed their great deeds so that people would call them a ‘hero,’ a ‘scholar,’ and a ‘generous man,’ not for the sake of Allah.
  (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1905)
More Feared than the Dajjal: Finally, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) expressed a profound fear of Riya for his followers. He (ﷺ) said:
- “Shall I not tell you about what I fear for you more than the Masih ad-Dajjal?” They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” He said: “Hidden Shirk; that a man stands to pray and he beautifies his prayer because he sees another man looking at him.”
  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 4204; Hasan chain)

The Root Causes of Riya in Islam

Crucially, the phenomenon of Riya in Islam is not a spontaneous act. Instead, it is an external manifestation of certain deep-seated diseases of the heart. Its primary causes are:

1. Love of Praise (Hubb al-Madh)

To begin with, the desire to receive praise is a natural human inclination. However, Hasan al-Basri (RA) warned, “The root of Riya is the love of praise.” When people become infatuated with praise, they display their good deeds before others just to derive satisfaction. Allah (SWT) condemns such people, saying:

لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَا أَتَوا وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحْمَدُوا بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّهُم بِمَفَازَةٍ مِّنَ الْعَذَابِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
“And never think that those who rejoice in what they have perpetrated and like to be praised for what they did not do – never think them to be in safety from the punishment, and for them is a painful punishment.”
(Surah Ale Imran, Verse: 188)

In a related warning, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,

“He who pretends to have been given what he was not given is like the one who wears two garments of falsehood.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 5219; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2129)

2. Fear of Criticism and Condemnation

Another cause is the fear of what others think. Specifically, people sometimes perform acts out of fear of criticism, not from their hearts. Performing worship due to fear of public shame or condemnation is also a form of Riya. Allah says:

يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَهُوَ مَعَهُمْ
“They seek to hide from the people but they do not seek to hide from Allah, while He is with them…”
(Surah An-Nisa, Verse: 108)

Reinforcing this point, Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi (RA) said, “Know that fear of people’s condemnation and love for their praise have destroyed most people.”

3. Desire for Honor and Status

Similarly, a desire for high standing among people can lead to Riya. Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi (RA) stated, “Know that the root of Riya is the love of status and position.” Indeed, the desire to prove oneself as important in the eyes of people gives birth to Riya. This desire is also extremely destructive to one’s religion. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Two hungry wolves sent into a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a man’s greed for wealth and honor is to his religion.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2376; Sahih chain)

4. Self-Admiration or ‘Ujb (العُجْبُ)

Moreover, ‘Ujb occurs when a person is impressed with their own qualities or deeds, forgetting that Allah granted the ability to perform them. This disease, in turn, gives birth to Riya. For instance, when a person is impressed by his own deeds, he then wants others to be impressed by them as well. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mentioned three destructive things, saying:

“…followed desires, obeyed stinginess, and a man’s self-admiration. And this (‘Ujb) is the most severe of them.”
(Shu’ab al-Iman, al-Bayhaqi, Hadith: 731; Hasan chain)

5. Other Relevant Causes

Beyond these primary drivers, several other factors can contribute to Riya. For instance, greed for a higher position might motivate someone to perform good deeds just to be seen by those in authority. Family influence is another factor, as a person can adopt these habits when growing up in a family where showing off is practiced. Furthermore, a lack of knowledge about Allah’s greatness and His constant watch can make a person overly dependent on creation. Finally, bad company is a significant risk, as a friend who engages in Riya can easily infect a person with the same spiritual disease.

The Path to Freedom from Riya

Thankfully, it is possible to combat this disease. Every believer must make a conscious effort to save themselves from this silent assassin. Below are some effective methods:

Increase Ikhlas (Sincerity): First and foremost, constantly remind yourself that all worship is for Allah alone. Therefore, check your intention before, during, and after every deed.
Practice Worshipping in Secret: Second, try to perform some voluntary deeds in complete privacy. Besides the obligatory acts of worship, you can pray Tahajjud, fast voluntarily, or give secret charity so that no one but Allah knows. This practice is highly effective in combating Riya.
Remember the Severe Consequences of Riya: Additionally, frequently reflect on the dire consequences of showing off. Contemplating the results in this world and the Hereafter helps restrain the heart.
Seek Refuge in Allah through Du’a (Supplication): Also, you must constantly ask Allah for help to be saved from Riya. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught this specific Du’a for protection:
- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ
  Allahumma inni a’udhu bika an ushrika bika wa ana a’lam, wa astaghfiruka lima la a’lam.
  “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowingly associating partners with You, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly.”
  (Musnad Ahmad, Sahih)
Devalue the Praise and Criticism of People: Finally, learn to devalue the opinions of people. As Ibn al-Qayyim (RA) said:”Sincerity cannot coexist in a heart that loves praise from people and has greed for what they possess, just as fire cannot coexist with water.”You must strengthen the belief that only Allah gives honor and reward. Ultimately, the praise or blame of people holds no weight with Him.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the challenge of Riya in Islam is its nature as a subtle spiritual cancer that Shaitan uses to destroy a believer’s deeds. It effectively snatches the soul of worship and turns it into a hollow exhibition. Therefore, it is incumbent upon each of us to remain vigilant about our intentions and actions. We must also constantly pray to Allah for sincerity.

May Allah (SWT) grant us all the ability to perform our worship free from Riya and to attain His pleasure through pure sincerity. Ameen.