Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … It is understood from this that reciting the Noble Qur’an quietly (sirri) is superior. If a person recites aloud (jahri) in a place where there is no human being to hear or see him, then its ruling will also be that of quiet recitation. The fundamental issue is that, as far as possible, acts that bring reward and merit should be kept hidden, as is evident from the following hadith: Sayyiduna Zubair bin al-Awwam radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever among you is able to have a hidden (khabi’) deed of righteousness, let him do so.” (Al-Khatib in “Al-Tarikh”: 11/263, and Al-Diya in “Al-Ahadith al-Mukhtarah”: 1/396, Al-Khatib in “Al-Tarikh”: 11/263, Sahihah: 2313)

Ostentation (riya’) and showing off are among the elements that destroy righteous deeds; therefore, a servant should, as much as possible, keep his deeds hidden, such as giving charity (sadaqah) and alms, performing voluntary (nafl) prayers, performing Hajj and Umrah, and keeping voluntary fasts. However, it should be remembered that those deeds which are connected to the congregation or to people cannot be hidden, such as obligatory (fard) prayers, Eid prayers, good character, etc. In the present era, on certain occasions of good deeds, the fame and publicity of righteous actions due to congratulatory practices becomes so widespread that there arises a risk and suspicion of the doer’s deeds being wasted. For example, on the occasion of departure and return from Hajj and Umrah, upon completion of memorizing the Qur’an, upon completion of recitation of the Qur’an in Ramadan, upon returning from i‘tikaf, on the occasion of ‘aqiqah, and so on. At present, what happens on these occasions among us may perhaps be contrary to the spirit of Islam.

{لَّکُمْ} “If you disclose your charity and alms, it is good; but if you give them to the needy in secret, it is better for you.” It is understood from this that, in general circumstances, giving charity secretly is superior, except in a situation where giving charity openly serves as encouragement for others; if the intention of ostentation is not present, then the special virtue that the initiator can attain in such cases is clear from the ahadith. However, apart from such specific situations, it is better to give charity and alms quietly. Some scholars are of the opinion that the virtue of secrecy is limited only to voluntary (nafl) charities, and that in the payment of zakah, open declaration is better. However, the generality of the Qur’an and hadith includes both voluntary and obligatory charities; therefore, if there is no significant benefit seen in open declaration, then the secret act should be given preference.