The Dangers of Showing Off (Riya), The Importance of Sincerity (Ikhlas), and Accepting Spiritual Correction
Hazrat Qari Ismail Desai Saheb
Hijri date
Ramadaan 1440
Duration
19:26
Summary
Riya kari (showing off) involves doing actions to gain recognition from others, not solely for Allah's pleasure.
This is also known as 'secret shirk' (shirk as-sarair), where one beautifies their prayer or actions to impress people.
Secret shirk is considered more dangerous and harder to detect than open shirk, akin to a poisonous snake hidden among wood.
All ability to perform good deeds or avoid wrong comes from Allah (Tawfiq); without His help, nothing is possible.
Rewards for actions are solely from Allah, so intentions must be pure and directed only towards Him.
Acting for others is like an employee working for another company during their contracted hours – they won't receive payment from their primary employer.
A practical way to combat showing off is to remember that our body, strength, and abilities are not our own, but given by Allah, similar to a chauffeur driving someone else's car.
Sincerity (Ikhlas) is crucial in every action.
Accepting spiritual correction (islah) from scholars and spiritual guides is vital for one's spiritual growth.
Spiritual guides may correct disciples even in public, sometimes sternly, to break arrogance or pride (takabbur).
Two essential steps for spiritual reformation are 'Ittila' (informing one's spiritual condition/problems to the guide) and 'Ittiba' (diligently following the guide's prescribed advice).
Just as one accepts the pain of an injection or a dentist's drill for physical cure, one should wholeheartedly accept spiritual advice and correction for inner purification.