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Fatwa CenterDisclosing One’s Deeds Without Showing Off
Question
I know that in islam actions are by intentions, so in that case, is it permissible to "show off" good deed for a good purpose? For example, let's say you are surrounded by people who are proud of their sins and negatively influencing others, is it ok to try to counter it by "showing off" your acts of worship so people will not feel like no body is practicing anymore? it seems that part of the problem with muslims is that we see more people commiting sins, and good deeds are hidden away, so all people get to see are the ithm, and fawahish. By showing off, I mean reading quran in the open, praying where people can see, making a big deal to talk about islam.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
If what is meant in the question is that a person does a good deed for the sake of Allah, The Almighty, and discloses it to others so that they would follow his example in doing good and obeying Allah, not for showing off or seeking praise, then this intention is valid and the doer is rewarded – Allah Willing – for his deed and intention. Scholars believe that it is recommended to disclose good deeds for the purpose of urging others to do them and follow the example of their doer.
Az-Zawaajir ‘an Iqtiraaf Al-Kabaa’ir reads: “It could be rather recommended to disclose such good deeds that are difficult to conceal, like going to battle, performing Hajj, and performing the Friday Prayer and congregational prayers. Disclosing here means to hasten to do the good deed and show one's keenness and willingness to do it in order to urge others to do the same, provided that no ostentation is involved. In brief, whenever the disclosure of a good deed is not blemished by ostentation, nor does its disclosure cause any harm to anyone, then it is better than concealing it if it motivates people to copy it. This is so since this is the position of the Prophets and their heirs, who are exclusively favored by doing what is most perfect, and because its benefits extend to others. Also, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Whoever introduces a good practice, he gets a reward for it and a reward for all those who act upon it until the Day of Judgment…’ If one of these conditions is missing, then concealment is better. It is in light of this detailed explanation that the view that concealment of good deeds is absolutely better, as held by some scholars, should be understood…” [End of quote]
That said, disclosing one's good deeds is not considered showing off if he intends by his acts of obedience to draw closer to Allah, The Exalted, and to make manifest the might and strength of Islam without putting on a pretense before people or wishing to win their praise or any purpose other than getting closer to Allah, The Exalted.
Allah Knows best.
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