SHOWING OFF IS FORBIDDEN !

SHOWING OFF IS FORBIDDEN !

By Sheikh-ul-Islam Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab rahimahullah

Chapter No: 36, Kitab At-Tauhid, THE BOOK OF MONOTHEISM

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah the Most Exalted said:

"Say (O Muhammad صلي الله عليه وسلم ): I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God -i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord." (18:110)

Muslim reported the following Marfu` Hadith from Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) that Allah عز وجل said:

"I am most independent and free from needing associates. Whoever performs a deed while associating partners with Me (doing so for others along with Me) I will leave him, along with his setting up of associates to Me (Shirk)."

Ahmad reported the following Marfu' Hadith from Abu Sa'id (Al-Khudri رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم said:

"Shall I not tell you what I fear for you more than the false Messiah?" The Companions رضي الله عنهم said, "Indeed, O Messenger of Allah," He said, "Inconspicuous Shirk, as, when a .person improves his rendering of the Salat when he knows that others are watching."

IMPORTANT ISSUES OF THE CHAPTER

1) Explanation of the verse in Sural Al-Kahf (18: 110).

2) The great issue that good deed, if it was joined other with Allah in any way, is fully rejected.

3) Allah's absolute self-sufficiency is the reason (of the rejection of the good deed, if it is not done purely for Him).

4) Another reason is that He is the Best than those who are given share in worship (i.e. false deities of disbelievers).

5) The fear, the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم had of Riya', for his Companions رضي الله عنهم.

6) He explained Riya' by expressing the state of a person performing prayer for Allah, but he improves his rendering of the Salat when he knows that others are looking at him.

Source: Kitab At-Tauhid, THE BOOK OF MONOTHEISM. CHAPTER NO: 36, (Page: 126-127). By Sheikh-ul-Islam Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab rahimahullah