What does Riya mean?

We perform 'Ibaadah to please Allah Ta'ala only. Taking into consideration another factor besides the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala is against sincerity. This is what is termed Riya. In simple words, Riya means performing 'Ibaadah for personal advantages and worldly benefits. In simpler words, we call it performing Ibaadah for ostentation and show. Sometimes a person does it to get grandeur, honour and merit in the eyes of people. And sometimes he does it to be known as good and to take benefits from people.

In this sense, we can easily detect that Riya is a mixture of several vices: lies, dishonesty, pride, jealousy, greed, etc.

[English version of "Ki veut dire riya ?" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.12]