SEEK ALLAH’S HELP IN OVERCOMING RIYAA
Allah, the Most Merciful, knows every human’s weakness and has given us the cure as well. The best means is supplication to Him. Allah says that we should say (which means):
“You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)”
(Al-Fatihah: 1:5)
This Aayah from Surah Fatihah should strengthen our faith and make us steadfast. When we say that we worship Allah Alone, we should follow up this assertion with our actions. Worship signifies obedience and trust. It naturally follows that our deeds should have Allah’s acceptance as their only goal. Desire for worldly praise should be discarded.
‘NEEYAH’, INTENTION – THE DECIDING FACTOR
We should not let fear of riya take us to the other extreme and prevent us from doing good. Just as Satan arouses in us vanity and the yearning for self glorification, he also uses his wiles to make us avoid doing good out of fear of showing off. This suspicion can weaken our resolve and eventually stop us from doing that which pleases Allah. An honest assessment of the purity of our ‘neeyah’ ‘intention’ can help us in such a situation. We should ensure that the intention to seek Allah’s favor is the only factor that prompts us in the practice of good. As long as we are sincere in our intentions we need not worry about anything that Satan might come up with. A heart fortified with strong faith and sincerity of intention is not troubled by Satan’s whispers when practicing virtues secretly or openly.
Ibraheem Al-Nakha’I said:
“If Satan comes to you when you are praying and says, “You are showing off,” then you should make it even longer. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) suggested that seeking Allah’s refuge from the accursed Satan, one should go ahead with the good deed and not pay attention to his discouraging waswasaas (whispers from Satan).”
[Majmoo’ Fataawa Al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Question No. 277]
CONCLUSION
The purpose of a Muslim’s life is to become a “Muhsin” – a doer of good deeds who performs his actions totally for Allah, in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (SAWS), without any desire for worldly gain, praise or fame. Allah Most Exalted praises such believers in several Ayahs of the Quran.
He (SWT) says, (which means):
“… but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin then his reward is with his Lord (Allah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”
(Al-Baqara 2:112)
[See Tafsir Ibn Kathir ]
“…And who has (in mind) no favor from anyone to be paid back. Except to seek the Face of his Lord, the Most High.”
(Layl 92: 19, 20)
Narrated ‘Aishah (R.ah.) that the Prophet (SAWS) said:
“Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and receive good news because one’s good deeds will not make him enter Paradise.”
They asked:
‘Even you, O Allâh’s Messenger?’
He said:
“Even I, unless and until Allâh protects or covers me with His pardon and His Mercy.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.8, Hadîth No.474]
Entry into Paradise depends totally on the pardon, mercy and acceptance of Allah Most Forgiving; rejoicing in worldly praise and feeling secure in our virtuous acts is self deception; it is for Allah to accept them.
Finally, we can memorize a Dua to help us stay away from shirk.
The Prophet (SAWS) said:
“O people, beware of this shirk (form of polytheism), for it is more subtle than the footsteps of an ant.”
When a person asked:
‘How can we beware of it when it is more subtle than the footsteps of an ant, O Messenger of Allah?’
He said, Say:
“Allaahumma innee a’oodhu bika min an ushrika bika shai’aun wa ana a’lamu wa astaghfiruka limaa laa a’alamu”
“O Allah, we seek refuge with You from knowingly associating anything with You, and we seek Your forgiveness for that which we do unknowingly.”
[Musnad Ahmad Hadith 19171]
– End