Sheikh Salim al-Hilaali حفظه الله
Ar-Riya is censured
in the Book and the Sunnah. From them is the Statement of Allaah سبحانه و
تعالى:
"So woe to
the worshippers, who are neglectful of their prayers. Those who want to be seen
(by men)."
[Al-Ma'un 107:4-6]
As for the ahadith,
some of them have already been mentioned in the chapter of shirk, since ar-Riya
is the minor shirk. Some will be mentioned here, insha'Allaah.
Know O Muslim, O
slave of Allaah, that the word riya is taken from the word ruyah (to be seen).
So the one to be seen is viewed by the people as one seeking self-esteem
amongst them. So at times one would seek self-esteem by one's actions in this
world.
Riya is of many
types and forms, its nature and tendency is that it invalidates the actions as
stated in the Book and the sunnah. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says:
"Like those
who spend from their wealth to be seen by men, and they do not believe in
Allaah and the Last Day. Their example is like the example of a hard rock on
which is a little soil, then on it falls heavy rain which flows off it and they
will not be able to do anything with whatever they have earned and Allaah does
not guide the disbelieving people."
[Al-Baqarah 2:264]
The Prophet صلى الله
عليه و سلم said:
"What I
fear for you the most is the minor shirk, that is ar-riya. Allaah will say on
the Day of Judgement when He is rewarding the people for their actions: Go to
those for whom you did riya for in the world then see if you find the reward
with them."
[Related by Ahmad (5/428, 429) and
al-Baghawi in Sharh as-Sunnah (4135) from the hadith of Mahmud bin Lubayd, رضي الله
عنه, with
an authentic chain upon the conditions of Muslim]
The Prophet صلى الله
عليه و سلم said:
"Shall I
not inform you of what I fear for you more than the Masih ad-Dajjal? It is the
hidden shirk. It is when a man stands up for prayer, then beautifies his prayer
for another to look at."
