Hadith #5170

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,

Verily the slightest showing off is polytheism.

This impactful saying highlights the grave sin of riya' (showing off) and equates it to shirk (polytheism). To fully understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words.

The term "riya'" refers to the act of performing religious deeds or acts of worship with the intention of seeking praise or recognition from others, rather than solely for the sake of pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a form of hypocrisy that corrupts the sincerity of one's actions and intentions. The word "shirk" refers to associating partners with Allah, which is the gravest sin in Islam.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the dangers of riya'. In Surah Al-Ma'un (Chapter 107), Allah says:

(Quran 107:4-7)

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

This ayah highlights the condemnation of those who engage in riya' by performing their prayers with negligence and insincerity. They seek to impress others with their outward display of piety, while neglecting the true essence of their worship.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the dangers of seeking praise from others. He says:

(Quran 2:11-12)

And when it is said to them, 'Do not cause corruption on the earth,' they say, 'We are but reformers.' Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.

This ayah emphasizes the hypocrisy of those who engage in riya'. They claim to be righteous and virtuous, but their true intentions are to seek recognition and praise from others. They deceive themselves and fail to recognize the corruption they bring upon themselves and society.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to constantly examine their intentions and purify their hearts. It emphasizes the importance of performing acts of worship solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure alone.

By equating riya' with shirk, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the severity of this sin. Just as shirk is a violation of the fundamental principle of Tawheed (monotheism), riya' is a violation of the fundamental principle of sincerity in worship. Both acts undermine the essence of true faith and devotion to Allah.

The consequences of engaging in riya' are far-reaching. It not only diminishes the reward of one's good deeds in the sight of Allah, but it also leads to spiritual hypocrisy and a lack of inner peace. When one seeks validation and praise from others, they become enslaved to the opinions and judgments of people, rather than seeking the pleasure of Allah alone.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of self-accountability and introspection. We must constantly evaluate our intentions and strive to purify our hearts from the desire for recognition and praise. Our actions should be driven by a sincere desire to please Allah and seek His pleasure, without any regard for the opinions of others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to guard against the sin of riya'. It equates the slightest showing off with polytheism, highlighting the severity of this act. By referring to the Quranic verses that condemn riya' and warn against seeking praise from others, we are reminded of the importance of sincerity in our worship and the need to constantly purify our intentions. May Allah protect us from the sin of riya' and grant us the ability to worship Him with utmost sincerity.