Major Sins: Al-Riyaa'
Aboo Saalim
The same way Islaam obligates, encourages and recommends those things which benefit the individual and society, Islaam also prohibits, discourages and warns against those things that can cause harm to the individual and society.
Amongst the most dangerous and destructive sins to the true believer (al-Mu’min) are the major sins (al-Kabaa’ir). And of the major sins which the Prophet (salallaahu 3alayhi wa sallam) most feared his followers committing was al-Riyaa’. Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 3alayhi wa sallam) said, "The thing that I fear most for you is the minor Shirk; Riyaa" . Al-Riyaa’ is also from the worst of sins, being a form of Shirk.
Riyaa’ linguistically means “hypocrisy, dissimulation, dissemblance, double-dealing, duplicity” . Most importantly “From the Shareeah point of view, it means “to perform acts which are pleasing to Allaah, with the intention of pleasing other than Allaah.” The intention may be a totally false intention, where the person who does this act has no consciousness of Allaah, or it may be a partially false intention, where the person does have Allaah in mind, but at the same time desires praise from other people.
One of the most popular examples of al-Riyaa’ can be found in the hadeeth where the Prophet (salallaahu 3alayhi wa sallam) has said, “Shall I not inform you of what I fear for you more than the maseeh al-Dajjaal? It is the hidden shirk. It is when a man stands up for prayer, then beautifies his prayer for another to look at." [Related by Ibn Maajah (2604) from the hadeeth of Aboo Sa`eed al-Khudree, radiyallaahu `anhu. The hadeeth is hasan.]
For example, one may come to the masjid (mosque) and find it empty so he starts to pray his nafl (voluntary prayer) and does so in a less than perfect manner. Then, when the congregation starts to make its way into the masjid and he notices that he is now in their viewing distance he starts to prolong his recitation, straightens his back perfectly in ruku (bowing) according to the manner of the Prophet Muhammad (salallaahu 3alayhi wa sallam) and increases his supplication in the prostration.
This evil may start as a “simple” act of trying to look pious in front of the brothers but may become a way of life which can lead to the punishment of the hell-fire. “One of the greatest ahaadeeth concerning the punishment in the Hereafter of those who show off is the following, in which the Prophet (salallaahu 3alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the Day of Resurrection comes, Allaah, may He be blessed and exalted, will come down to judge between His slaves, and every nation will be kneeling. The first ones to be called forth will be a man who learned the Qur’aan by heart, a man who fought for the sake of Allaah, and a man who had a lot of wealth. Allaah will say to the Qur’aan-reader, ‘Did I not teach you that which I revealed to My Messenger?’ He will say, ‘Yes, O Lord.’ He will say, ‘What did you do with that which I taught you?’ He will say, ‘I used to read it night and day.’ Allaah will say to him, ‘You have lied,’ and the angels will say to him, ‘You have lied.’ Allaah will say, ‘Rather you wanted it to be said that so and so is a reader of Qur’aan, and that is what was said.’ Then the wealthy man will be brought forth, and Allaah will say to him, ‘Did I not give you ample provision so that I did not leave you in need of anybody?’ He will say, ‘Yes, O Lord.’ He will say, ‘What did you do with that which I gave you?’ He will say, ‘I used to uphold the ties of kinship and give in charity.’ Allaah will say to him, ‘You have lied,’ and the angels will say to him, ‘You have lied.’ Allaah will say, ‘Rather you wanted it to be said that so and so is generous, and that is what was said.’ Then the one who was killed for the sake of Allaah will be brought forth and Allaah will say to him, ‘Why were you killed?’ He will say, ‘I was commanded to fight in Jihaad for Your sake, so I fought until I was killed.’ Allaah will say to him, ‘You have lied,’ and the angels will say to him, ‘You have lied.’ Allaah will say, ‘You wanted it to be said that so and so was courageous, and that is what was said.’” Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) struck my knee and said, “O Abu Hurayrah, these three are the first of the creation of Allaah who will be dragged into the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.” (Narrated and classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi, 2382; classed as saheeh by Ibn Hibbaan, 408, and Ibn Khuzaymah, 2482).”
Know dear reader that one should guard ones actions and constantly work to purify ones deeds from showing off, making them solely for the sake of pleasing Allaah ta’ala. The one who does a deed to be seen by his peers will not only rob himself of the reward from Allaah, it may also lead to receiving the worst of punishment from Allaah.
Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattaab (May Allah be pleased with him), reported: The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 3alayhi wa sallam) said, "The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration will be for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration would be for what he emigrated for".