37/21. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4206 — Showing Off and Seeking Fame
Show-off and reputation
Hadith About Showing Off and Wanting to Be Seen
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4206
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4206
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا بَكْرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ الْمُخْتَارِ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنْ عَطِيَّةَ الْعَوْفِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " مَنْ يُسَمِّعْ يُسَمِّعِ اللَّهُ بِهِ وَمَنْ يُرَاءِ يُرَاءِ اللَّهُ بِهِ " .
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever wants to be heard of, Allah will make him heard of, and whoever wants to be seen, Allah will show him (i.e., make known to the people his true motives and intentions).”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4206In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 107English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4206
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4206
This Hadith warns against doing acts for reputation. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that whoever wants to be heard of, Allah will make him heard of, and whoever wants to be seen, Allah will show him. The translation explains this as Allah making known the person’s true motives and intentions. The core topic is showing off, also known as riya. People often search for “showing off hadith,” “riya hadith,” and “seeking fame in Islam.” This Hadith speaks to anyone who wants religious actions to become a personal image. It teaches that the heart behind an action is not hidden from Allah. Instead of chasing praise, a believer should seek Allah’s acceptance and keep good deeds clean from display.
What we learn from this hadith
- Seeking reputation through deeds is spiritually dangerous.
- Allah can make hidden motives known.
- Good actions should not become tools for self-display.
- Protecting intention is part of protecting worship.
