Ostentation according to Al-Ghazâlî (al riya'), by Lyess Chacal, Muslim Spirituality Collection (2), Oryms editions, 2nd edition

After pride (kibr), ostentation (riya') was another of the vices of the soul condemned by Islam. It occupies a unique place there in the sense that devotion imbued with hypocrisy excludes from the circle of believers anyone who devotes himself to it. This is at least the judgment of Abú Hamid al Gazali (1058-1111) famous thinker and theologian who wrote, among other things, his no less famous lhya' 'ulúm al din (Revivification of the sciences of religion) and in which al Gazali devoted an entire treatise to the condemnation of ostentation (riya').

He takes, as often, the Prophet to witness. The latter had, in his time, confided his concerns to his Companions in these words: "What I fear most for you is the small association (shirk asghar). The Companions asked: "But what is it? So what about the little association, O Messenger of God? " He replied: "devotion marked by ostentation and hypocrisy." "This shows the importance of purifying one's intentions in the practice of prayer, fasting or pilgrimage for example since these devotions must not be the instruments of the narcissistic will of the individual anxious to show himself pious in the eyes of others when God knows best the nature of his intentions.

About the Author: Lyess Chacal

Lyess Chacal Doctor of the University of Paris IV Sorbonne, Lyess Chacal was more particularly interested in Islamic thought through the work of al Gazali. He is the author of numerous works on this author. He is, in particular, the author of illusion and deception in Islam, published by Oryms editions.