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The ruling on acts of worship if they are mixed with Riyaa (showing off)

25 April 2024 • 4.2K views
If worship is accompanied with Riyaa, it has TWO SCENARIOS: THE FIRST SCENARIO: Absolute Riyaa (الرياء المحض) I.e. Riyaa is present in ALL acts of worship, this is inconceivable in the case of a Muslim; rather, this occurs in the case of a hypocrite or a disbeliever. THE SECOND SCENARIO: Riyaa is present but only in SOME actions, then this has TWO CASES: 1⃣. If the original motive behind the action was Riyaa, then the entire action is invalid. Although this is minor shirk, it is feared that it may lead to major Shirk. 2⃣. If the original motive was for the sake of Allah, but the corrupt intention arises during it, then it has TWO SCENARIOS: FIRST. The person fights against it and does his best to repel it; in this case, there is nothing against him, and his action is accepted, and he is rewarded for his struggle. SECOND. Submitting to the Riyaa, being content with it and persisting in it; then the action has TWO SCENARIOS: THE FIRST SCENARIO: If the act of worship is separable (I.e. The first portion is not dependent on the last portion), such as charity, dhikr, and Quran recitation, then the portion that was done for the sake of Allah is valid, and whatever was accompanied with Riyaa is invalid. THE SECOND SCENARIO: If the act of worship is inseparable, such as prayer, then there is a difference of opinion: VIEW 1. The whole act is invalidated, as chosen by Imam Ibn Qayyim and ibn 'Uthaymeen, and this is the correct opinion, due to the Prophet's saying in the sacred Hadith: "I will abandon him with his polytheism." Also, due to the Hadith of Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "A man came to the Prophet and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, what do you think about a man who fights seeking reward and fame?' The Messenger of Allah said, 'He has nothing.' He repeated it three times. The Messenger of Allah said, 'Allah does not accept any deed except that which is purely for His sake, seeking His Face.'" [Narrated by An-Nasa'i with a good chain of transmission] VIEW 2. Only the portion that was affected by Riyaa is invalidated, such as if someone improved their standing, lengthened the prayer, increased the number of supplications, or improved their recitation and beautification. In this case, these affected qualities are invalidated, and the action is valid. This is the opinion of Imam Ahmad, Ibn Jarir, and others, narrated from Al-Hasan Al-Basri and others. Summarised from: الملخص المفيد في شرح كتاب التوحيد (323 - 324) تأليف: أبي عبدالله طارق بن يوسف بن عباس الوليدي