How to Become Aware of My Hidden Hypocrisy?

Hidden hypocrisy, or "Riya' al-Khafi" (subtle showing off), is one of the most perilous spiritual and internal diseases that can render all of a person's good deeds worthless and void. While the Holy Quran does not explicitly provide a checklist for detecting Riya', it paves the way for self-awareness and uprooting this internal affliction by articulating fundamental principles of faith and righteous conduct. The central axis in understanding and combating Riya' is the principle of "Ikhlas" (sincerity); that is, performing every action solely and exclusively for the pleasure of Almighty Allah, and purifying it from any taint of showing off, seeking fame, drawing people's attention, or hoping for their praise and commendation. The Quran, in numerous verses, emphasizes the importance of Ikhlas and warns against actions performed with intentions other than for God. For instance, in Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, it states: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakat. And that is the correct religion." This noble verse clearly states that the foundation of religion and servitude is sincerity in intention and action. Every act of worship, whether it is prayer or zakat, gains its true value only when it is performed solely for Allah. If this sincerity is compromised and the intention becomes mixed with human gazes and judgments, that act becomes devoid of its spiritual content. One of the best ways to become aware of hidden Riya' is through "Muhasabah al-Nafs" (self-accountability) and constant "Muraqabah" (vigilance) over one's intentions. Before starting any good deed, during its performance, and after its completion, one should ask oneself: "What is my primary goal in doing this? Do I want to be praised by people? Do I want others to see me as a pious, generous, or knowledgeable person?" If we find even the slightest inclination towards being seen or gaining worldly recognition within our hearts, we must be vigilant. The Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 264, presents a vivid illustration of the consequences of Riya' in charity: "O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or [other] injury, like one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [hard] rock upon which is dust and then is hit by a downpour, leaving it bare. They are unable [to retain] anything of what they earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people." This verse demonstrates that Riya', even if seemingly a good deed, renders it ineffective; it's as if a seed were planted on a smooth rock, washed away by rain, leaving nothing behind. Another subtle sign of Riya' is the difference in the quality of performance of an act in private versus in public. If an individual prays with more precision and humility in the presence of people, or engages in more remembrance (dhikr) and recitation in a gathering, but lacks this quality in solitude, it is a sign of Riya' being present in their actions. The hypocrites (Munafiqoon), whom the Holy Quran refers to in Surah An-Nisa, verse 142, are prime examples of this state: "Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little." Although this verse is about overt hypocrites, it serves as a warning for every believer to be careful that their acts of worship, even prayer, do not become tainted by the desire to be seen. To combat Riya' and become aware of it, one must always adhere to "Taqwa" (God-consciousness) and the "remembrance of death and the Hereafter." When a person knows that only Allah's judgment and pleasure matter, and that their deeds will be weighed on the Day of Judgment without regard for people's opinions, they will be less inclined to seek the admiration of others. The Quran, in Surah Al-Hashr, verse 18, states: "O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do." This verse is a clear invitation to self-reflection and accountability for one's actions, and it is the best tool for discovering hidden hypocrisy. When we know that Allah is "Acquainted with what you do" and even knows our hidden intentions, there is no longer any room for Riya'. Furthermore, a significant aspect of identifying and combating Riya' involves observing one's internal state after receiving praise or criticism. If, after being praised, one feels excessive pride or self-satisfaction, or conversely, if one is criticized or ignored and becomes discouraged or stops performing good deeds, these can be indicators of Riya's presence. A true believer is someone whose spirit is not inflated by people's praise nor deterred by their criticism; because for them, only the gaze and pleasure of Allah matter. Their heart is connected to the eternal source of power and love, Allah, and thus, they are unaffected by worldly fluctuations. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes reliance on Allah and not fearing the blame of blamers, which in itself is a path to liberation from the shackles of human perception and a means of strengthening sincerity. Moreover, combating "Kibr" (arrogance) and "Ghurur" (vanity), which are the primary breeding grounds for Riya', is of paramount importance. Riya' stems from self-importance and a desire for superiority. Humility and modesty, which are enjoined in numerous Quranic verses, such as walking with tranquility and without arrogance (Al-Furqan: 63; Luqman: 18), are antithetical to Riya'. When a person sees themselves as insignificant before the greatness of Allah and knows that everything they possess is from Him, they will no longer seek to show off. Constantly reminding oneself that every blessing and success in performing good deeds comes from Allah ensures that a person does not consider themselves worthy of praise and attributes it back to the Almighty. This path is a continuous jihad (struggle) against the commanding self (Nafs al-Ammara) and the whispers of Satan. Satan constantly endeavors to pollute even our acts of worship with Riya' so that we are deprived of divine reward. Therefore, seeking refuge with Allah from his whispers, especially when commencing good deeds, is crucial. This self-awareness not only frees us from the snare of Riya' and saves our deeds from corruption but also leads to inner peace, spiritual stability, and genuine spiritual growth, as we are no longer concerned with people's judgments, and only the pleasing gaze of our Creator matters to us. Ultimately, true Ikhlas is the highest level of faith that elevates a person to the loftiest ranks of proximity to Allah, and its fruits will be felt not only in the Hereafter but also in this world in the form of tranquility and blessings. This internal struggle, though difficult and continuous, bears the sweet fruit of divine pleasure, which makes all efforts worthwhile.