Riya
Riya is doing a good deed so people notice and praise it, rather than seeking God's approval alone.
What it means for me: Scholars call this the lesser shirk because of how quietly it enters the heart, often without the person noticing at first. It does not always ruin a whole life of worship. It can spoil a single act while other sincere acts remain sound.
Example: A man prays extra prayers in the main hall so others notice his devotion, rather than in a quiet corner. Scholars describe this specific act as touched by riya, whatever his other worship is like.
Do not confuse with: Ikhlas, sincerity. Riya is its direct opposite: seeking to be seen rather than seeking God's pleasure. Scholars broadly separate riya that shapes an intention from the start from simply feeling pleased at unsought praise afterward. They treat the second far more leniently.
If scholars differ: This distinction between riya from the start and pleasure felt afterward is widely reported, not disputed as a category. Scholars differ mainly on how to recognize riya in one's own heart, and on how much mixed intention spoils an act's reward.
See the term in context
Are giving gifts, kind treatment, using the siwak, maintaining kinship ties, and asking for prayers considered a custom or an act of worship, and can riya' (showing off) or minor shirk enter into them? And what are the books that address these issues?
Imam Al-Qarafi distinguished between showing off (riya') in acts of worship and associating other intentions (tashrik) with them. Riya' is performing an act of worship for the purpose of being glorified by people, or to…
How can one overcome the feeling of showing off (riya') when increasing acts of worship, while simultaneously feeling joy and obedience?
One should accuse oneself of showing off (riya') and frequently seek Allah's forgiveness from hidden shirk (polytheism), recalling the Prophet's prayer: "O Allah, we seek refuge in You from knowingly associating…
How can one get rid of the feeling of showing off (riya') when completing the Qur’an and holding a ceremony for it?
If the questioner's sister feels joy at the blessing of memorizing the Holy Qur’an, this is not considered showing off (riya’). Holding a celebration does not affect sincerity, because joy in obedience does not…
Questions that use it
What is your advice to someone who finds hypocrisy (riya') creeping into their recitation of the Quran and their prayers, and how can one magnify sins and belittle good deeds to avoid conceit and arrogance?
Is this act of mine—hastening the audible prayer and reciting short surahs when performing the prayer, to avoid my wife hearing my recitation due to my shyness about my voice—considered showing off (riya') or associating partners with Allah (shirk)? And what is the expiation for that?
Why was "ri'a" in Surat An-Nisa not written as "riya"?