Ruling on Worship Mixed with Riya (Showing Off): Complete Explanation

Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām

Introduction​

When ostentation (riyā) mixes into worship, it affects the acceptance of that act according to its timing and nature. This matter relates directly to ikhlāṣ (sincerity) and one’s intention, and the rulings differ according to three primary situations.

① When the Motivation from the Beginning is Riya​

• If a person starts the act of worship solely for the sake of showing off—e.g., to appear pious before people—then:
  
  • The entire act is invalid and carries no reward.
  • Reason: It was performed without sincerity to Allah.

Example:
A man prays only so that people will think he is righteous. This prayer is not accepted.

② When Riya Appears During the Worship​

If the worship started with sincerity but riyā entered midway, there are two possibilities:

(a) The Act Has Distinct, Separate Parts​

• The portion done sincerely is accepted.
• The portion tainted by riyā is invalid.

Example:
A man gives 100 riyals in charity:

• The first 50 riyals — sincerely for Allah → accepted.
• The next 50 riyals — to impress people → invalid.

(b) The Act is a Single Connected Whole​

Here two situations arise:


(1) He Rejects the Riya

• If he dislikes it in his heart and removes it, the worship remains unaffected.
• Proof: The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Allah has forgiven my ummah for what crosses their minds so long as they do not act upon it or speak it."
[Bukhārī: 5269; Muslim: 127]


(2) He Accepts the Riya

• If he is content with the riyā and does not try to remove it, the entire act becomes invalid.
• Example:
  A man begins his prayer sincerely, but during the second rakʿah feels proud and continues without resisting. Since the prayer is one unified act, the whole prayer is invalid.

③ When Riya Comes After the Worship​

• If the worship is completed with sincerity, and later riyā appears (e.g., he starts feeling proud afterward), the act remains valid.
• Reason: The worship was complete at the time of sincerity.

Clarification: Riya vs. Natural Happiness​

• Merely feeling happy that people know about one’s good deed is not riyā—especially if it occurs after the deed.
• Feeling joy over good deeds is a sign of faith.

Prophetic proofs:

• "Whoever is pleased by his good deed and saddened by his bad deed is a believer."
  [Tirmidhī: 2165]
• "That is the glad tidings for the believer given in this life."
  [Muslim: 2642]

Summary Table​

Timing of Riya	Ruling
At the start of the act	Entire act invalid
During act — separate parts	Accept sincere part; invalidate riyā part
During act — single unit — riyā rejected	Act remains valid
During act — single unit — riyā accepted	Entire act invalid
After completion of act	No effect; act remains valid