We should all honestly ponder over whether we are lazy in worship when away from people but display eagerness when in front of people. After performing any pious or noble actions do we unnecessarily inform others of these deeds? When we are praised do we become proud and increase these righteous actions? Do we become sad, resulting in a decrease in our good deeds, if we are not praised? Do we get pleasure while performing good deeds in the presence of people and get no pleasure with the same action when alone? Do we humble ourselves in front of people by calling ourselves sinners, transgressor, criminals, beggars, humble and bad etc., just to impress them? Taking advantage of our Sunnah-conforming Madani attire, do we buy things from the shopkeepers who are impressed by us so that they sell us goods at a discount or give us things for free? If the answer to these questions is yes, then we should repent immediately, and strive to create sincerity in our actions, otherwise we might meet our death before repenting, and we are thrown into Hell because of showing off.

عطا کردے اخلاص کی مجھ کو نعمت                     نہ نزدیک آئے رِیا یا الٰہی

مری زندگی بس تری بندگی میں                  ہی اے کاش گزرے سدا یا الٰہی

Cure the disease of ‘showing off’

Dear Islamic brothers! If we feel the symptoms of showing off in our heart, then after repenting, do not delay treating this sickness. If we strive to heal our inner self, then اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ our outer self will automatically also get cleaned. The Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, ‘One who reforms his inner self, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will reform his outer self (as well).’

(Al-Jami’-us-Sagheer lis-Suyuti, pp. 508, Hadees 8339)

Let’s listen to some treatments to get rid of the destruction of showing off:

1. Seek help through Du’a!.

The first cure of showing off is to make the following Du’a to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ:       ‘O Rab of Mustafa صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Cure me of the disease of showing off. Fill