Why would a person have Riya?

Setting aside this immense reward which Allah Ta'ala has promised for the acts of 'Ibaadah and being interested in other worldly things, is like throwing away gold or diamonds to pick up stone. This is not the action of a sane person. It must be a person who does not understand and does not know the value of what he is throwing. So, a person who has Riya must be a stupid person or a person who does not have the necessary belief about the promises of Allah Ta'ala. He lacks the Yaqeen (firm conviction) that one should have concerning the rewards which Allah Ta'ala has promised for each action.

As for those who are really Deendaar, they will never be willing to exchange a material or worldly item for an 'Ibaadah which they have performed. They are conscious and confident and sincerely and firmly believe that the reward of Allah Ta'ala is incomparable. The value of a single Tasbeeh exceeds the Dunya and all that which it contains. It may seem exaggerating for those who do not know but it is an undeniable fact and reality for the Imaandaar.

[English version of "Ki faire ene dimoune capave ena riya ?" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.12]