How to Remember God Without Showing Off (Riya)?

Remembering God, known as 'Dhikr' in Islam, is the cornerstone of a believer's connection with their Creator. This constant awareness of the Divine presence not only brings tranquility to hearts but also illuminates the path of human life. However, one of the greatest challenges on this path is 'Riya' or showing off. Riya means performing an act, which should ideally be done solely for the pleasure of God, for the purpose of gaining attention, praise, or admiration from people. According to Quranic and Prophetic teachings, this act not only lacks reward but can also be a grave sin, as it essentially involves associating others in a sincere intention that should be exclusively for God. The Holy Quran explicitly states in Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:5): 'And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth.' This verse clearly indicates that the essence of any worship is sincerity and a pure intention directed solely towards God. Without sincerity, worship becomes devoid of meaning and value. To embed the remembrance of God without Riya into our lives, we must first look within ourselves and purify our intentions. The primary step is to always remember that Allah is 'Aleem bi Dhaat as-Sudoor,' meaning He is fully aware of what is in the hearts. He does not need our displays and only looks at the sincerity of our intentions and the depth of our faith. Therefore, striving to gain people's approval in acts of worship is not only futile but also contrary to the essence of Tawhid (Oneness of God) and true servitude. The Quran provides practical guidance in this regard in Surah Al-A'raf (7:205): 'And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and fear without loudness in words in the mornings and evenings and do not be among the heedless.' This verse emphasizes 'Dhikr Khafi' or the hidden, internal remembrance of God, which is the best way to avoid Riya. When the remembrance of God flows within one's solitude and the innermost layers of their being, it remains pure from any contamination of showing off. Practical ways to achieve sincere remembrance of God without Riya include: Firstly, focusing on the quality of worship, not just its quantity. Sometimes a small but sincere act holds more value with Allah than thousands of grand acts tainted by Riya. Secondly, performing some acts of worship and good deeds in secret. Secret charity, night prayers (Salat al-Layl), or internal supplications are examples of acts that can provide a suitable foundation for strengthening sincerity. When no one but Allah is aware of our deed, the motivation for Riya disappears, and the intention becomes purely for God. Thirdly, seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of Riya. Riya is a spiritual disease that Satan tempts one with. We must constantly ask Allah to purify our hearts from any non-divine intentions and to keep us steadfast on the path of sincerity. Supplications like 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika an ushrika bika wa ana a'lam, wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lam' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know) are very helpful. Fourthly, reminding ourselves of the greatness of Allah and our own insignificance. The more our knowledge of Allah and His magnificent attributes increases, the less we feel the need for people's praise. When we comprehend the Creator's grandeur, we see all existence as trivial before Him, and the praise of His creations will hold no meaning for us. The fifth way is practicing humility and avoiding self-admiration. Riya often stems from self-admiration and a desire to highlight oneself. By practicing humility and acknowledging our weaknesses, we can eradicate this root of Riya. Ultimately, we must remember that the main goal of life is to attain Divine pleasure, not the pleasure of creation. This perspective not only safeguards us from the trap of Riya but also transforms all our actions and moments of life, including worship and daily activities, into acts of remembrance of God, all directed towards achieving closeness to Allah. This is the 'sincere' way of living, as the Holy Quran also refers to it in Surah Az-Zumar (39:2): 'So worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.' This sincerity should permeate not only our prayers and fasting but all aspects of our lives, including social interactions, work, and even our private moments. Every good deed performed with a pure intention, no matter how small, is immense and blessed in the sight of Allah, while any action accompanied by Riya, however great it may appear, brings nothing but loss.