people about it so that he can gain money from people or people praise him or they consider him pious or that people treat him with respect.

(Az-Zawajir, vol. 1, pp. 86)

Let’s now listen to some examples of ostentation from page 73 in Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat’s دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ book ‘Call to Righteousness’. Bear in mind! Ostentation is such an action which is fully dependent upon the intention. Therefore, the examples provided are of ostentation, but in some cases where the intention differs, the ruling does change. Let’s listen to these carefully with the intention of reforming ourselves:

10 examples of ostentation

1. To learn the art of reciting the Holy Quran so that people will call him ‘Qaari Sahib’.

2. To say or write words that show humility for oneself such as faqeer, sinful, worthless, etc. so that people will consider him to be a humble person and praise his humility.

3. To meet people in a good manner so that people will consider him to be of good character.

4. To wipe tears from eyes whilst weeping during Du’a, etc. in the presence of others so that people will get the impression that he is wiping his tears quickly to avoid ostentation.

5. To say such sentences to impress others: I am very fearful of sins, I am in constant fear of losing my faith, what will happen to me in the dark grave, how will I give accountability on the day of judgement, etc.

6. To say sentences like ‘I avoid meeting rich and famous people’ to give the impression that he has no interest in this world and to make others acknowledge his piety.

7. To saying comforting sentences upon hearing about the troubles of someone so that people consider him a sympathetic person.