What is the difference between showing off (riya') in acts of worship and showing off in worldly matters? Does seeking people's praise for personal traits, or striving diligently in a job for praise, or the patience of an afflicted person seeking people's praise, fall under riya'? Is the saying: "Leave behind a good deed by which people will remember you after your death with praise and prayers for you" included in riya'? And does blameworthy riya' in worldly deeds fall under minor shirk?

Censurable riya' (ostentation) is seeking status through acts of worship that should be directed only to Allah. Seeking people's praise for personal traits like intelligence, or for diligence in one's job, is not among the forbidden types of riya'. However, enduring patiently to gain people's praise is riya' because it is an act of worship to Allah. And seeking good praise after death is not riya'. Riya' in worldly matters is not shirk (polytheism). The riya' that is minor shirk is seeking people's praise through acts of worship that should be performed solely for the sake of Allah.