_Imām Ibn Qudāmah -rahimahullāh-_
Said:
And as far as what one feels during ‘Ibādāt in seclusion is not equal to what one feels during the ‘Ibādāt in the presence of others, then one will not seize from falling into the act of show off even though it may be obscured to one and this can reduce one’s reward in the side of Allāh. Thus, no one can escape from falling into this trap of hidden show off except the truthful ones.
It is reported from Wahb Munabbih – a Yemenite Muslim traditionist of Dhimar – that a man amongst the devout worshippers said to his companions:
_Indeed we have shun away from wealth and children fearing their calamities, but what we are also scared of is that, it shouldn’t be that we have fallen into another new calamities which are greater than the fitna of wealth and children. This is because on meeting others, we love to be respected, honored, given discount in terms of transactions, attended to in terms of needs due to our status in the deen._
When the speech of the devout worshipper got to the king, he was moved and touched by it. Then, he decided to visit the devout worshipper. On the exact day of the visit, people gathered every corner waiting for the arrival of the king.
The devout worshipper then asked the people: what is happening that you all gathered here? They replied: We heard that the king is coming to pay you a visit.
However, the devout worshipper wasn’t mesmerized and happy with the visit because he hates to be honored by ordinary people let alone the king.
Therefore, he said to his companion: Oh Sāhib, bring me food. He then brought beans, grapes and other forms of fruits to him.
The devout worshipper started eating vigorously so that the king can meet him in that situation and he would not be honored by him.
On the arrival of the king, the king asked: where is that your pious companion oh people? They replied: Here he is. The king said : How are you? He replied: like other ordinary people.
The king on hearing the reply of the devout worshipper and seeing the nature of the situation he met him in, said: No any form of goodness in this person. And the king quickly departed from him.
The devout worshipper said:
Alhamdulillah! Who Has turned him away from me while rebuking me.
*15 Dhul Qa’dah,1438H.*
Allāhu A’alam! Bārakallāhu fīkum!
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