Is what the questioner feels—admiration and showing off during or after an act of worship, especially prayer—real or just a whisper from Satan (waswas)? And does that invalidate her deeds? What is the ruling on deeds for which she is praised and takes joy in them, then retracts that joy internally, as well as rejoicing in a deed that has become truly sincere after self-assessment?

In any good deed, a Muslim must initially have a good intention and a sincere purpose, because sincerity is the basis for the acceptance of deeds. If thoughts of showing off (riya') occur afterward, it is obligatory to resist them, as they are from the whispers of Satan. If a Muslim repels the thought of showing off, it will not harm him.

However, if one succumbs to the thought of showing off, scholars have differed as to whether his deed is invalidated or not. Imam Ahmad preferred the view that his deed is not invalidated. Others mentioned that there is no sin in a deed mixed with showing off if the intention of obedience predominates. However, if the intention of showing off predominates, then he is sinful. If the two motives are equal, then there is no reward for him nor is there any sin upon him.

There is no sin upon a servant if he performs a deed purely for the sake of Allah the Almighty and people praise him for it and he rejoices in that, for this is an indication of the servant's faith and Allah's love for him.