36/16. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 3989 — Showing Off and Hidden Piety
One who hopes for protection from tribulation
Showing Off Is Shirk Hadith: Sincerity and Hidden Piety
Sunan Ibn Majah : 3989
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 3989
حَدَّثَنَا حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي ابْنُ لَهِيعَةَ، عَنْ عِيسَى بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ، أَنَّهُ خَرَجَ يَوْمًا إِلَى مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَوَجَدَ مُعَاذَ بْنَ جَبَلٍ قَاعِدًا عِنْدَ قَبْرِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَبْكِي فَقَالَ مَا يُبْكِيكَ قَالَ يُبْكِينِي شَىْءٌ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ " إِنَّ يَسِيرَ الرِّيَاءِ شِرْكٌ وَإِنَّ مَنْ عَادَى لِلَّهِ وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ بَارَزَ اللَّهَ بِالْمُحَارَبَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الأَبْرَارَ الأَتْقِيَاءَ الأَخْفِيَاءَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا غَابُوا لَمْ يُفْتَقَدُوا وَإِنْ حَضَرُوا لَمْ يُدْعَوْا وَلَمْ يُعْرَفُوا قُلُوبُهُمْ مَصَابِيحُ الْهُدَى يَخْرُجُونَ مِنْ كُلِّ غَبْرَاءَ مُظْلِمَةٍ " .
'Umar bin Al-Khattab Narrated from:
It was narrated from ‘Umar bin Khattab that he went out one day to the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and he found Mu’adh bin Jabal sitting by the grave of the Prophet (ﷺ), weeping. He said: “Why are you weeping?” He said: “I am weeping because of something that I heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘A little showing off is polytheism and whoever shows enmity towards a friend of Allah has declared war on Allah. Allah loves those whose righteousness and piety are hidden, those who, if they are absent, are not missed, and if they are present, they are not invited or acknowledged. Their hearts are lamps of guidance and they get out of every trial and difficulty.’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3989In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 64English translation : Vol. 5, Book 36, Hadith 3989
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3989
This Hadith about showing off warns that even a little showing off is polytheism. It also warns against showing enmity to a friend of Allah. Then it describes people loved by Allah: righteous, pious, and hidden. If they are absent, they are not missed, and if present, they are not invited or known. Their hearts are described as lamps of guidance, and they get out of trials and difficulty. The main lesson is sincerity. A person does not need public attention to be close to Allah. The Hadith praises quiet goodness, clean intention, and hearts that carry guidance without seeking fame or status.
What we learn from this hadith
- Showing off in worship is strongly warned against.
- Hidden righteousness and piety are praised in this Hadith.
- A person may be unknown to people yet loved by Allah.
- The heart can be a source of guidance through sincere faith.
