When the Fear of Showing Off Stops You from Doing Good

We all know riya (showing off) is really damaging to our faith. It's basically doing a good act just to be seen and praised by people, like praying more noticeably when others are watching or giving charity in public so folks think you're generous. But sometimes, our fear of falling into riya backfires. Because we know how serious it is, we might actually avoid doing good deeds altogether, worrying our intention isn't pure enough. The tricky thing is, that avoidance itself can be a form of riya-changing your actions based on what people might think. There's a wise saying from Imam Sufyan al-Thawri about sincerity (ikhlas). He said it means the praise and criticism of people become equal in your sight. So, a believer shouldn't do good for people's sake, but they also shouldn't stop doing good because of people. The goal is to act purely for Allah's pleasure, constantly working on your heart's intention. This internal struggle is what leads to success, insha'Allah. Allah says in the Quran: “And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways.” (29:69) One of Shaytan's tricks on sincere people is to scare them so much about riya that they end up abandoning good deeds they originally meant for Allah. The takeaway? Keep doing the good deed, whether you're seen or not. Don't let the worry of a flawed intention make you quit altogether. Here's a helpful dua to pray when you feel riya creeping in or to guard against it: اللّهُـمَّ إِنّـي أَعـوذُبِكَ أَنْ أُشْـرِكَ بِكَ وَأَنا أَعْـلَمْ، وَأَسْتَـغْفِرُكَ لِما لا أَعْـلَم Allahumma inni audhu bika an ushrika bika wa ana aa'lam, wa astaghfiruka lima la a’lam. (O Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I associate anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I know not.)