Does showing off invalidate a deed, and does its reward return after repentance and seeking forgiveness? Is telling people about Fajr prayer in another mosque considered showing off? Is a person held accountable for the soul's inclination to display good deeds? And is it better to allude to it, avoid the question, or answer despite this inclination?

Hypocrisy (Riya') is a major sin, and any act performed with hypocrisy is not accepted. As for seeking a good reputation (sum'ah) (informing others about an act after it was performed with sincerity), it is prohibited if its purpose is to gain benefit or praise from people. Scholars differ regarding whether it nullifies the act. Some believe that sum'ah is reporting acts of obedience after performing them sincerely, for the purpose of showing off. If the person repents, they are forgiven, and their act is not nullified. Others believe that sum'ah invalidates the act due to weak conviction. Al-Ghazali is of the view that speaking about an act after it has been completed does not invalidate it; rather, the doer is rewarded for their act and punished for their showing off, unless the hypocrisy occurred during the act itself. However, if one is asked about their act, there is no blame in stating the truth, especially if it leads to preserving one's honor. It is also commendable to speak of blessings as a form of gratitude to Allah the Almighty.