Does informing the girl I intend to propose to about my good deeds, with the aim of convincing her to accept me, constitute showing off (riya’)?
We advise against publicizing good deeds, as it may invalidate their reward, following the example of the righteous predecessors who disliked speaking about their good deeds. This is due to the condemnation of showing off (riya') and seeking reputation (sum'a), which can nullify actions. Riya' is performing an action for the sake of people's praise, and sum'a is when a person speaks about a deed they had performed after having concealed it for Allah. One should be wary of sum'a because it indicates a weakness in certitude (yaqeen) and leads to the invalidation of the deed. Al-Haytami mentioned the purposes and objectives of showing off. Scholars have differed regarding the nullification of a deed by something that occurs after its completion. While some believe it is nullified, Al-Ghazali inclined to the view that what occurs after the completion of a deed, such as speaking about it, does not invalidate its reward; rather, the person is rewarded for their action and punished for showing off. Others believe that it may invalidate the deed and that seeking reputation can corrupt it.
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- 124179
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