Chapter 53

OSTENTATION

Ostentationisaserioussin.Itindicatesmentalvices.Theostentatious
donothaveanyrelationwithGod.Islamhaswarnedagainstexhibition-
ism andorderedMuslims ofpurifying themselvesfrom itsgerms.The
holy Quran, also, exposes and warns against ostentation. God says:
Surely, the hypocrites strive to deceive Allah, and He shall requite
theirdeceit tothem, andwhenthey standup toprayer, they stand up
sluggishly.TheydoitonlytobeseenofmenanddonotrememberAllah
save a little.
Whoeverhopestomeet hisLord,heshoulddogooddeeds,andnot
join any one in the service of his Lord.
Woetotheprayingoneswhoareunmindfuloftheirprayers,whodo
good to be seen and withhold the necessaries of life.
The reports that deal with and warn against the ostentation are
uninterrupted.
The Prophet (s) said, “The most dangerous thing that I warn you
againstistheminorpolytheism...Itistheostentation.OntheResurrec-
tionDay,Godwillsaytotheostentatious:Irewardtheservantsfortheir
deeds.Gotothosewhomyouwereshowingintheworld.Willtheyre-
ward you?”. “God will not admit any deed that possesses a bit of
ostentation.”
ImamAli(a)said,“FearGodexhaustively,andworkforHimwithout
seekinganyreputation.He,whoeverworksforotherthanGod,willbe
attached to those for whom he works.”.
Imamas-Sadiq (a) said,“DedicateyouraffairstoGod’ssake.Do not
makethemforpeople’ssake.WhateverisintendedtoGod,goestoGod,
and whatever is intended to people will never ascend to God.”
Imamar-Rida(a)said,“Youshouldworkforotherthanostentationor
reputation.He,whoever worksfor otherthan God,willbe attachedto
those for whom he works.