How to Distinguish Pure Intention from Showing Off?

In the luminous teachings of the Holy Quran, there is immense emphasis on sincerity of intention and avoiding any form of showing off or hypocrisy in deeds and acts of worship. Intention is the soul and essence of every action, and its value depends on the purity of that intention. The Quran clearly states that only those deeds are accepted by Allah that are performed solely and exclusively for His pleasure, not for gaining people's admiration or worldly benefit. This fundamental principle in a believer's life is the foundation of every move and decision. Showing off, termed as "Riya'" in Quranic and Islamic terminology, is a state where an individual performs a good deed, but their primary goal is to be seen by others, to be praised, or to gain status and prestige among people, rather than seeking Allah's pleasure. This phenomenon, considered one of the dangerous spiritual diseases of the heart, can nullify the entire spiritual value of an action. The Holy Quran severely condemns those who show off and deems their actions fruitless. In Surah Al-Ma'un, Allah Almighty refers to a group of worshippers whose prayers are out of heedlessness or for showing off, and considers such prayers and actions worthless. This indicates that even acts of worship, like prayer, which is the pillar of faith, lose their validity if accompanied by impure intentions. The verses explicitly state: "Woe to those who pray, but are unmindful of their prayer – those who make show (of their deeds) and withhold [aid]." (Al-Ma'un, verses 4-7). This means that true worship is only valuable when performed with one's whole being and with sincere intention for Allah, without any trace of Riya' or ostentation. One who prays to be seen as a devout worshipper, or gives charity to be praised, has in fact conducted their transaction with people and will not receive any share of divine reward. Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 264, Allah explicitly warns believers not to nullify their charities by reminders or injury, just like one who spends their wealth to show off to people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day: "O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or 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 smooth stone upon which is dust and then a torrential rain strikes it, leaving it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people." This verse employs a beautiful metaphor, likening the show-off to a stone covered with dust upon which heavy rain falls, leaving it completely bare and without any trace of dust. This means that ostentatious actions, though seemingly good, leave no internal trace and yield no reward for the show-off, because their intention was not pure, and their action was not connected to Allah Almighty. To separate pure intention from showing off, a believer must constantly scrutinize their heart. The Quran emphasizes "Ikhlas" (sincerity), meaning purifying one's intention from any impurity or associating partners with Allah. In Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, Allah states that the purpose of human creation and sending prophets is sincere worship for Him: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincerely obedient to Him, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakat. And that is the correct religion." This verse provides a fundamental solution: the main goal of all worship and good deeds must solely be the pleasure of Allah. To achieve this sincerity, several Quranic and practical strategies exist: 1. Constant remembrance of Allah and the Day of Judgment: Remembering that all our actions will one day be scrutinized before Allah helps us distance ourselves from worldly motives. If we believe that the true reward comes from Him and not from people, we will seek praise less. 2. Concealing good deeds as much as possible: The Holy Quran in many verses considers hidden good deeds more virtuous. Of course, this does not mean refraining from public good deeds, but if the goal is to seek Allah's pleasure, concealing the action is the best way to ensure sincerity of intention. This helps the believer eradicate Riya' from its root and only focus on divine pleasure. 3. Self-accountability (Muhasabah): A believer must constantly review their intentions and ask: "Am I doing this action for Allah or for people?" This continuous self-awareness gradually purifies the heart from the impurities of Riya'. The Quran emphasizes reflection and contemplation on actions and intentions. 4. Seeking refuge in Allah from Riya': The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) always sought refuge in Allah from Riya' and taught this prayer to his companions. Supplication and seeking Allah's help to maintain pure intention play a crucial role. Allah is aware of hearts and can help the believer purify their intention. 5. Understanding the transient nature of people's praise: People's praise is fleeting and worthless, whereas Allah's pleasure is eternal and boundless. Understanding this difference frees one from attachment to worldly commendations. The Quran constantly encourages believers towards eternal and everlasting rewards, which are far superior to any worldly gain. In summary, separating pure intention from showing off is a continuous process requiring constant vigilance. It means purifying the heart from any non-divine motive so that all actions, whether small or large, are performed solely for the pleasure of the One Lord. This path leads to inner peace and true contentment, which is achieved only through sincerity, and its reward is unparalleled in this world and the hereafter.