In other words, showing off is to perform worship with the intention of informing people about our worship so that the show off can get money from them or be praised or considered to be pious or treated with respect etc. by them.

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب       صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Introduction to the book ‘Riya Kari’ [Showing Off]

Dear Islamic brothers! It is a very sensitive matter if the intention goes astray a bit, the one who performs that good deed falls into the trap of showing off. Therefore, we should be well-informed about the disasters of showing off in order for it to become easy for us to get rid of this fatal disease. In regards to this, the study of a 165-page book namely, ‘Showing Off’ published by the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami (Maktaba-tul-Madinah) is very effective. اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, this book contains the definition of Riya (showing off), its causes, signs, its horrible consequences and the remedies of this disease. Therefore, it is a Madani request for you to study it yourself and persuade others to do so as well. This book can be read online or downloaded for free from the website of Dawat-e-Islami www.dawateislami.net.

Let’s listen to some examples of showing off from page 73 of the excellent book of Shaykh-e-Tareeqat, Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـه named ‘Call to Righteousness’ (Nayki Ki Da’wat) 1^st volume, so that we can learn how showing off could be hidden in our actions. We sometimes mention it openly and do not pay any attention to it nor do we have the mind-set to protect ourselves from it. Therefore, after listening to these examples of showing off try to protect yourself from it. Keep in mind that showing off is a deed based solely on intention, therefore, the examples presented here, though categorised as showing off, but in many cases the rulings change according to the difference in intentions. Let’s listen to the examples attentively with the intention of our own reformation: