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The qualities and signs of an ostentatious person

Question

Could you kindly give a reference for this?

It is narrated that Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “There are four qualities of a show-off; He is lazy when alone, he is [only] active when among people, he [only] increases in deeds if he is praised and he decreases actions when admonished.”

 

Answer

This statement of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has been cited in non primary sources like Tambihul Ghafilin. A shorter version appears in Ihya ‘Ulumid Din as well. I have not come across the complete chain.

(Tambihul Ghafilin, pg. 30. Ihya ‘Ulumid Din, vol. 6 pg. 332)

 

Imam Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar narration as the statement of Wahb ibn Munabbih, a Tabi’i.

Wahb ibn Munabbih (rahimahullah) said: “…And there are three signs of a hypocrite: He is lazy when alone, he as active [in carrying out good deeds] when joined by someone, he eagerly carries out all actions based on the amount of praise he receives…”

(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 4 pg. 47)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

This answer was collected from HadithAnswers.com. The answers were either answered or checked by Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah) who was a Shaykhul Hadith in South Africa, or by his son, Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer (hafizahullah), who is a Hadith specialist.