﷽

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful.

Peace and Blessings of Almighty Allah(ﷻ), be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his blessed descendants and his noble companions.

السلام عليكم ورحمةالله وبركاته○

Tip#2: DO MORE SECRET GOOD DEEDS.

Hide rather than you publicise your good deeds.

Without the watchful eyes of other people it will be easier to purify your intentions and to do things for the sake of Allah.

 
● Condemnation of Riya (Showing Off)

٥٠- عَنْ شَدَّادِ بْنِ اَوْسٍؓ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُوْلُ: مَنْ صَلَّي يُرَائِيْ فَقَدْ اَشْرَكَ، وَمَنْ صَامَ يُرَائِيْ فَقَدْ اَشْرَكَ، وَمَنْ تَصَدَّقَ يُرَائِيْ فَقَدْ اَشْرَكَ.

(وهو بعض الحديث) رواه احمد:٤/١٢٦

50. Shaddad ibn Aws Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates:

I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying:

Anyone  who offers Salat, for show, indeed he has committed Shirk; and anyone who fasts for show, indeed he has committed Shirk; and anyone who gives Sadaqah, for show, indeed he has committed Shirk.

(Musnad Ahmad)

Note:

• This means that if the deeds are done to be shown to the people, it amounts to ascribing those people as partners of Allah. As such these deeds are no longer for the sake of Allah but for the sake of those people for whom they were done. The doer of these deeds, instead of deserving reward, becomes liable for punishment.

Performing your deeds secretly will keep you away from Riya which is showing off. And Showing off is considered as shirk!

٦١- عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ قَيْسِ نِ الْخُزَاعِيِّؓ اَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ: مَنْ قاَمَ رِيَاءً وَسُمْعَةً لَمْ يَزَلْ فِيْ مَقْتِ اللهِ حَتَّي يَجْلِسَ.

تفسير ابن كثير:٣ /١١٦

61. .'Abdullah ibn Qais Al Khuza'i Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that indeed Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said:

He who engages in a virtuous deed intending to show off and get fame; he remains under the wrath of Allah until he abandons that intention.

(Tafsir ibn Kathir)

● Fulfilling the commandments of Allah Ta'ala only to please Him

١١- عَنْ اَبِيْ اُمَامَةَ الْبَاهِلِيِّ ؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ ﷺ: اِنَّ اللهَ لاَ يَقْبَلُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ اِلاَّ مَا كَانَ لَهُ خَالِصًا وَابْتُغِيَ بِهِ وَجْهُهُ.

رواه النسائي، باب من غزا يلتمس الاجر والذكر، رقم:٣١٤٢

11. Abu Umamah Al-Bahili Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said:

Verily, Allah does not accept any deed, except that done sincerely for Him and to obtain His pleasure.

(Nasai)

١٥- عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ ؓ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: ثَلاَثُ خِصَالٍ لاَ يَغِلُّ عَلَيْهِنَّ قَلْبُ مُسْلِمٍ: اِخْلاَصُ الْعَمَلِ لِلّهِ وَمُنَاصَحَةُ وُلاَةِ اْلاَمْرِ، وَلُزُوْمُ الْجَمَاعَةِ، فَاِنَّ دَعْوَتَهُمْ تُحِيْطُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ.

(وهو بعض الحديث) رواه ابن حبان (واسناده صحيح):١/٢٧٠

15. Zaid ibn Thabit Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said:

There are three habits which keep the heart of a Muslim free from hatred, malice and deception:
1. A deed performed sincerely for the pleasure of Allah.
2. Well wishing for the Rulers.
3. Holding fast to the Jama'ah of Muslims, as their supplications surround those with them.

(Ibn Hibban)

١٨- عَنْ اَبِيْ اُمَامَةَ ؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ ﷺ: صَدَقَةُ السِّرِّ تُطْفِيءُ غَضَبَ الرَّبِّ.

(وهو طرف من الحديث) رواه الطبراني في الكبير واسناده حسن، مجمع الزوائد:٣ /٢٩٣

18. Abu Umamah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said:

Giving Sadaqah secretly cools the anger of the Rabb.

(Tabarani)

So Indeed Almighty Allah knows your intentions of every act whether its to please Almighty Allah or to please people. When your intentions are pure and sincere, you will gain Allah's pleasure and when the deed is done secretly it purifies your intention even more and helps you to get more Closer to Almighty Allah.

١٩- عَنْ اَبِيْ ذَرٍّ ؓ قَالَ: قِيْلَ لِرَسُوْلِ اللهِ ﷺ: اَرَأَيْتَ الرَّجُلَ يَعْمَلُ الْعَمَلَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَيَحْمَدُهُ النَّاسُ عَلَيْهِ؟ قَالَ: تِلْكَ عَاجِلُ بُشْرَي الْمُؤْمِنِ.

رواه مسلم، باب اذا اثني علي الصالح...، رقم:٦٧٢١

19. Abu Dhar Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that it was asked of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam:

What do you say about that person who does a good deed and the people praise him for that? He replied: That is immediate glad tidings to the believer.

(Muslim)

Note:
• Indeed, for the Hereafter, there are numerous glad tidings for him, however here he receives an immediate glad tiding provided his action was done solely for the Allah's pleasure and not for the praise of people.
--
 Munthakhab Ahadees.

■ Things not to be Considered as Showing off

1621. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked: "Tell us about a person who does some good deed and people praise him, will this be considered as showing off?'' He replied, "This is the glad tidings which a believer receives (in this life).''
[Muslim].

Commentary:  

● We learn from this Hadith that if a person does a virtuous act to please Allah (i.e., not with the intention to show off) and people praise him for it, then there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, such praise is the glad tidings which he receives in this world. Expression of such good opinion about him by the public is akin to a declaration that Allah is pleased with him. Sincere admiration and praise of someone by the public is not a disqualification. It is, in fact, an evidence of his virtuous conduct and its recognition by Allah.

- Riyad Us Saaliheen.

So In Shaa Allah lets try to practise more secret good deeds, even if its a simple help to your sister or to your parents, secretly make your intention that you perform this task to please Almighty Allah and to obtain His utmost pleasure by helping others.

When you are being praised by others try to make yourself humble and never ever develop pride within yourslef which only belongs to Almighty Allah.

May Almighty Allah help you and me to perform more secret good deeds and become more closer to Him.

Aameen.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

"سُبْحَانَكَ اللْهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ"

'Glory be to You O Allah, and with Your praise, I testify that there is no God (worthy of worship) except You, I seek Your forgiveness, and I repent to You.'