Hadith #4278

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "آفَةُ العِبادَةِ الرِّياءُ۔" This translates to

The bane of worship is showing off.

This wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the detrimental nature of performing acts of worship with the intention of seeking recognition or praise from others.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The term "آفَةُ" refers to a harmful or destructive element, while "العِبادَةِ" refers to acts of worship. Lastly, "الرِّياءُ" denotes showing off or seeking attention.

This Hadith is in line with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worship. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ma'un (107:4-6),

So woe to those who pray, but are heedless of their prayer - those who make show [of their deeds] and withhold [simple] assistance.

Here, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against those who perform acts of worship, such as prayer, but lack sincerity and mindfulness in their actions. They engage in showing off their deeds to gain recognition and praise from others, while neglecting their true purpose of worshiping Allah alone.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:264), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day.

This verse highlights the importance of giving charity sincerely for the sake of Allah, without seeking any worldly recognition or reward. It warns against the act of invalidating one's good deeds by attaching conditions or seeking personal gain through public display.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that acts of worship should be performed solely for the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we engage in acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, or giving charity, our intention should be to seek closeness to Allah and to fulfill our obligations as His servants.

Performing acts of worship with sincerity and purity of intention brings numerous benefits. It strengthens our relationship with Allah, purifies our hearts, and increases our spiritual growth. Conversely, engaging in acts of worship for the sake of showing off can lead to hypocrisy, arrogance, and a loss of reward from Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder to Muslims to constantly examine their intentions and strive for sincerity in all their acts of worship. It encourages us to purify our hearts and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone, rather than seeking validation or praise from others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the destructive nature of showing off in acts of worship. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of sincerity and purity of intention in all our worship. As Muslims, we should strive to purify our intentions, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone in our acts of worship, and avoiding the pitfalls of showing off. May Allah guide us all to worship Him with sincerity and accept our efforts.