It is also related from him that ostentation is a form of shirk.1

The Most High says, “So whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him act righteously and not associate anyone at all in the worship of his Lord.”2

He taught some of his Companions to say, “O Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I associate anything with You knowingly, and I ask Your forgiveness for what I do not know.”

Within the same category fall those who ask for charity—or give it—for other than Allah’s sake. A person may say, “This is for the sake of so-and-so,” whether referring to one of the Companions or a member of the Prophet’s household, until the very act of asking becomes a pretext for consuming people’s wealth unlawfully. In this way, some who claim adherence to the sunnah end up handing money to others while Satan has taken hold of them all. Yet almsgiving, like every act of worship, is only legislated for Allah alone, as the Most High says, “But the one who is truly reverent will be spared it—he who gives of his wealth to purify himself, not seeking any favor from anyone that must be repaid, but only seeking the Face of his Lord, the Most High; and surely he will be satisfied.”3

He, exalted is He, also says, “Whatever zakah you give, seeking the Face of Allah, it is such people whose reward will be multiplied.”4

And He says, “The parable of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah’s pleasure and to strengthen their own souls is like…”