What is the difference between seeking people's praise and seeking a good reputation? Is seeking prestige or wealth hypocrisy? Is someone who performs acts of worship and only desires a good reputation considered a hypocrite? Is doing good deeds for the purpose of marriage hypocrisy? Is lying to ward off hypocrisy forbidden?
Hypocrisy (riya') in seeking wealth and status to gain people's praise is not forbidden like hypocrisy in acts of worship. Rather, its ruling depends on the intended purpose; it may be permissible, an act of obedience, or blameworthy. As for performing acts of obedience solely for people's praise, or for people's praise along with seeking reward from Allah, this is forbidden hypocrisy. If a Muslim undertakes an act of worship for a worldly goal, such as feigning righteousness to obtain a worldly benefit, this is prohibited hypocrisy. It is preferable to conceal good deeds to maintain sincerity and avoid hypocrisy, and equivocation can be used instead of lying.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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