How to Distance Myself from Religious Pretense?

The concept of religious pretense, known as 'Riya'' in Islamic terminology, is one of the greatest spiritual dangers that can nullify good deeds and diminish their spiritual value. The Holy Quran addresses this phenomenon with precision and provides practical solutions for avoiding it. Riya' essentially means performing an action to gain attention, praise, or admiration from others, rather than solely intending to seek the pleasure and satisfaction of Allah. This approach is considered a serious obstacle to spiritual growth and perfection, not just in Islam, but in any spiritual path. To free oneself from the trap of pretense, deep self-purification and adherence to Quranic principles are essential, as will be discussed in detail below. 1. Purifying Intention (Ikhlas): The Foundation of Every Righteous Deed The most fundamental and vital step to distance oneself from pretense is to purify one's intention. Every action a person undertakes, whether it be individual acts of worship like prayer (Salah) and fasting (Sawm), or social deeds such as charity (Sadaqah) and helping others, must be done solely and exclusively for the sake of Allah Almighty. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of sincerity. For instance, in Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, Allah states: “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincerely obedient to Him, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” This verse explicitly states that the core of religiosity is sincerity in worship. A pure intention is the soul of an action; without it, an action, no matter how grand or outwardly impressive, is considered worthless in the sight of the Lord. To achieve this purity, one must constantly and at every moment, before and during any act, re-examine their intention and ask themselves: “For whom am I doing this? Is my goal the praise of people or the love and satisfaction of Allah?” This honest self-questioning gradually refines the heart and purifies the intention from any impurity. This process of purifying intentions should not only apply to acts of worship but also to all aspects of one's personal and social life, so that one's life may take on a divine hue. 2. Understanding the Depths of Riya's Harms and the Blessings of Ikhlas: Quranic Warnings and Divine Promises A precise and deep understanding of the harms and severe consequences of Riya', as well as the numerous blessings and rewards of sincerity, significantly increases one's motivation to combat pretense. The Holy Quran severely condemns those who engage in Riya'. For example, in Surah Al-Ma'un, verses 4 to 6, we read: “So woe to those who pray, [but] who are heedless of their prayer – Those who make show [of their deeds].” These verses serve as a serious warning, indicating that even an act as significant as prayer, if tainted with Riya', not only becomes worthless but can also lead to destruction and punishment. These verses remind us that Allah does not need our outward actions; rather, He looks at our hearts and intentions. On the other hand, the Quran refers to the immense rewards that accrue to sincere deeds—deeds performed without any expectation from creation, purely for the Creator. For instance, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 264, Allah says: “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.” This verse shows how Riya' can nullify acts of charity. Understanding these concepts helps a person realize that true honor and respect are not found in the eyes of people, but with Allah. This deep understanding helps one to distance themselves from fleeting worldly attractions and to step towards eternal rewards and divine pleasure. 3. Practicing Secrecy in Good Deeds (When Possible): A Barrier Against the Temptation of Riya' One practical strategy to avoid Riya' is to perform certain acts of worship and good deeds discreetly, away from the public eye. This does not mean abandoning public good deeds or obligatory acts that must be done openly (such as congregational prayers or obligatory Zakat), but for voluntary acts (nawafil) and supererogatory deeds, performing them in secret greatly helps in preserving sincerity. When an action is done away from public view and solely for Allah, the opportunity for Riya' and worldly temptations diminishes. This gives a person peace of mind that their only observer is God, and His satisfaction is the only goal. This approach is particularly effective for charities and good deeds that can be done secretly, ensuring that their reward is purer and more complete. This act not only eliminates Riya' but also creates a hidden, deep connection between the servant and the Lord, full of blessings and tranquility. 4. Self-Vigilance (Muraqabah) and Self-Accountability (Muhasabah): Continuous Self-Assessment Distancing oneself from pretense is a continuous jihad (struggle) against the ego (nafs) and requires constant vigilance (muraqabah) and accountability (muhasabah). One must always be watchful of their inner motives and, after performing any action, engage in reviewing and evaluating their intention. This means that every night before sleeping, we should review our day's actions and see if our intentions were pure or tainted with any hint of Riya'. If a slip occurs, one should immediately repent, seek forgiveness, and strive to correct the intention in the future. This continuous practice of self-assessment makes a person more aware of the whispers of Shaytan and the commanding self (nafs al-ammarah) that invite to Riya'. Muraqabah, meaning presence of heart in every moment of action, and Muhasabah, meaning reviewing past deeds, are two powerful tools in the hands of the believer to achieve sincerity and avoid pretense. This process helps one to recognize their weaknesses and take steps to address them. 5. Remembering Death and the Day of Judgment: Aiming for Eternity Constantly remembering the truth that a day will come when all of a person's deeds will be openly and completely revealed before Allah Almighty, and nothing will remain hidden, is one of the strongest deterrents against Riya'. On that Day, only sincere deeds and pure intentions will be beneficial for salvation. When a person realizes that all their actions are recorded and will be meticulously accounted for, they cease to strive for people's attention and instead seek only the pleasure and reward of the Creator. This Quranic perspective—that this world is transient and the Hereafter is enduring and eternal—guides individuals toward actions that possess eternal value rather than fleeting, perishable worldly values. This deep contemplation of the Hereafter liberates a person from the bondage of people's gaze and leads them to pure servitude to God. 6. Seeking Refuge in Allah and Supplication (Dua): Seeking Help from the Source of Purity Riya' is a spiritual disease of the heart, and only Allah, the Healer of hearts, is capable of curing it. One of the most important ways to combat Riya' is to seek refuge and supplicate to Allah. The prayers narrated from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Imams (A.S.) regarding seeking sincerity and deliverance from Riya' are very effective and helpful. One should humbly ask Allah to purify their intentions and protect them from the evil of showing off and pretense. This reliance on Allah not only helps a person in distancing themselves from Riya' but also strengthens their spiritual connection with Him and deepens their faith and reliance. Dua (supplication) is a bridge that connects a person to the source of purity and sincerity and purifies the heart from any impurity. 7. Choosing Righteous Companions and a Healthy Environment: The Impact of Surroundings on Sincerity The environment and one's companions play a very significant role in shaping a person's character and motivations. Avoiding gatherings and individuals who prioritize showing off and pretense, and striving to associate with those whose actions and words reflect sincerity and piety, can have a profound positive impact on avoiding Riya'. The Holy Quran advises believers to be with the truthful and the righteous. Such companionship provides positive role models in a person's life and guides them towards sincerity, humility, and true servitude to Allah. A healthy environment is like fresh air for the lungs; it helps a person's heart and soul stay away from the impurities of Riya' and walk on the right path of servitude. Sincere individuals, through their behavior and words, unconsciously influence us and guide us towards sincere actions, away from display and showing off. In conclusion, distancing oneself from pretense is a long spiritual journey that requires continuous self-purification. This struggle with the ego is constant and continues until the last breath, and only those who constantly remember Allah and seek nothing but His pleasure will succeed in it. By following these Quranic and practical principles, one can possess a heart full of sincerity and perform deeds that are accepted only in the sight of Allah. This path not only leads to inner peace and divine satisfaction but also helps a person to live a life of true meaning and purpose, freeing them from the deceptive allure of worldly appearances. This persistent effort for sincerity will guarantee human felicity in this world and the Hereafter.