Does a student of knowledge or a person whose outward appearance is righteous, refusing an invitation to eat in a restaurant where there are unveiled women, for fear of people's talk and falling from their esteem, or avoiding breaches of chivalry to avoid people's talk about him, count as showing off (riyaa')?

A Muslim, especially a student of knowledge, must preserve his dignity and protect his honor by avoiding suspicious situations and things that provoke criticism. This is not hypocrisy, but rather a good deed encouraged by the Sharia (definition). Al-Ghazali mentioned that avoiding situations of suspicion protects people's hearts and tongues, citing the verse prohibiting the cursing of the deities of polytheists and the hadith (definition) prohibiting the cursing of one's parents. It was also reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) clarified to a companion that the woman with him was his wife Safiyyah, fearing that Satan might whisper to them. Umar ibn al-Khattab said: "Whoever places himself in a position of suspicion should not blame those who think ill of him." Umar also reprimanded a man who was speaking to his wife in a public road, saying: "Why not where no one can see you?"