Riya

Riya is that character that makes a person perform an action to show off. He does this to get honour in the eyes of people or for people to flatter him. When Riya comes into an Ibaadah or any task, then it loses its entire worth. It is like a small spark that can transform a beautiful castle into ashes. The success of any task that we undertake – big or small, lies in doing it with Ikhlaas. By the same token, our misfortune lies in Riya. With Ikhlaas, a small action also appears great and with Riya, even a great task appears like nothing. 

[English version of "Riya" – Al Jamiat – Vol.2 No.3]