A Warning to the Son of Adam About the Origins of Evil

 

Showing-off (Riya')

 

Riya, "showing off", occurs when a person says or does something for a reason other than the pleasure of Allah. If pious people - except for those protected by Allaah's mercy - are capable of yielding to riya', then what about the common folk? How will they fare in the face of their greatest test? The Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

 

"Actions are like a vessel. If the vessel's bottom is good, its top is good. But if the vessel's bottom is polluted, then its top is polluted."