Ways of The Prophet (S.A.W)

Ostentation (Reya)

Hadrat Mahmud bin Labid (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “The thing I fear most for you is the lesser polytheism.” He was asked what the ‘lesser polytheism, was, he replied that it was ostentation (i.e doing anything only to show the people). [Ahmad, Mishkat]

Note: Just as (lkhlas) sincerity and (Lillahiyyat) for ALLAH’s sake (i.e doing every good deed for seeking the pleasure and mercy of ALLAH) are the natural requirements of lman and Tauheed, similarly hypocrisy and ostentation (i.e. doing good deeds to show the people and achieving fame in the world) are contrary to Iman and Tauheed in fact these are kinds of shirk (attributing partners to ALLAH). [Maariful- Hadis]

Hadrat Shaddad bin Aus (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that he heard ALLAH’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) say, “He who prays hypocritically has attributed a partner to ALLAH, he who fasts hypocritically has attributed a partner to ALLAH, and he who gives sadaqah hypocritically has attributed a partner to ALLAH.” [Ahmad]

Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “In the last times men will come forth who will fraudulently use religion for worldly ends and wear sheep skins in public to display meekness. Their tongues will be sweeter than sugar, and their hearts will be the hearts of wolves. ALLAH will say, “Are they trying to deceive Me? I swear by Myself that I shall send trial upon those people which will leave the Intelligent among them confounded.” [Ti rmizi]