Purification of the Heart - Ostentation

*Excerpts from "Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms, and Curses of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart," a translation of Imam al-Mawlud's Matharat al-Qulub, by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf*

Ostentation

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Definition

The next disease is riya’ or ostentation, the most nefarious form of which is when a person performs rites of worship merely to obtain a place in the hearts of others. The Prophet (saw) referred to this behavior as “the lesser idolatry.” He also said, “I do not fear that you will worship the sun, the stars, and the moon, but I fear you worshipping other than God through ostentation.” He said, moreover, “What I most fear for my community is doing things for other than the sake of God.”

(p 57)

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The root source of ostentation is desire, wanting something from a source other than God. (The Arabic word for root here is alwiya, a derivative that also refers to one who carries the banner, the standard-bearer, who leads the way or commences an activity.) The Imam says that the cure for ostentation is the same cure for reckless compromise (mudahana). It is actively and sincerely seeking out purification of the heart by removing four things: love of praise; fear of blame; desire for worldly benefit from people; and fear of harm from people. This is accomplished by nurturing the certainty (yaqin) that only God can benefit or harm one. This is at the essence of the Islamic creed. The Prophet (saw) said in one of his most celebrated statements:

“Be mindful of God and God will protect you. Be mindful of God and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of God. If you seek help, seek help from God. Know that if the whole world were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you with something that God had already prescribed for you. And if the whole world were to gather together to harm you, it would harm you only with something that God had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the ink has dried.”

(p 57-58)

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