Is seeking knowledge and the Quran for the sake of Allah, while wishing to move on to teach people in a large mosque or via television, and desiring to be known by people, considered showing off?
A Muslim must be sincere in their intentions towards Allah Almighty in all their actions, especially in seeking and teaching knowledge and in da'wah (calling to Allah). Sincerity means the servant intends Allah's Face with their action, while showing off (riya') means intending someone other than Him. Whoever is sincere to Allah in seeking knowledge should persist in that.
If the desire for prominence and love of fame is present, then it is showing off (riya') and must be eliminated. However, if the intention is to benefit and teach people, then it is not considered showing off and you will be rewarded for it.
One should not abandon good deeds out of fear of showing off, as this is from the whispers of Satan. Fudayl ibn Iyad said: "Abandoning an action for the sake of people is showing off, and acting for the sake of people is polytheism, and sincerity is that Allah grants you well-being from both."
Wishing for people to know you is not showing off in itself. Some scholars have even recommended taking on positions of authority to publicize knowledge so that people may benefit from it.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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