How do we differentiate between the whispers of showing off (riya') and conceit ('ujb) and their reality within the soul?

Hypocrisy (Riya') is when a servant performs an act of obedience or refrains from disobedience while being mindful of someone other than God, for a worldly purpose, or intending worldly benefit through an act meant for the afterlife.

To distinguish between hypocrisy and obsessive whispers (waswas), if a servant dislikes the whispers, strives to repel them, and his soul is not content with them, it is not considered hypocrisy. However, if he goes along with them, his soul becomes content with them, and he does not dislike them, then it enters the domain of hypocrisy.

The thoughts of hypocrisy (khatarat al-riya') have three stages: first, it crosses the servant's mind; then, it is beautified and made appealing; and finally, it calls to action and encourages it. The happiest person is he who repels the thought immediately, followed by him who repels it after it has been beautified, and then by him who does not engage in it after Satan's urging. Satan's call to hypocrisy is repelled by disliking the sin and abstaining from what is disliked. This dislike is achieved by remembering God's displeasure, His punishment, and the harms of hypocrisy.