and make it clear to people that the man was not sincere, but merely wanted them to hear of his deeds and praise him for his worship. Likewise, whoever shows off will be exposed by Allah. Thus, anyone who shows off before people or seeks to have his deeds heard will be exposed by Allah, and his true state will become apparent sooner or later.

“And withhold articles of common use.”

That is, they withhold utensils which they are obliged to make available. Someone may come to them seeking to borrow a utensil, saying, “I need a bucket,” “I need a vessel from which to drink,” or “I need an electric lamp,” and the like, but they refuse him. This too is blameworthy. Withholding articles of common use falls into two categories:

The first category is that for which a person incurs sin.

The second is that for which he incurs no sin, but forfeits the opportunity to do good.

A person incurs sin for withholding anything that he is obliged to provide. As for that which he is not obliged to provide, he incurs no sin for withholding it, but forfeits the opportunity to do good. An example is when a man in desperate need comes to someone and says, “Give me water to drink; if I do not drink, I will die.” Providing him with a vessel is obligatory, and a person incurs sin for failing to do so. Some scholars even say that if the man dies, the person who refused him would be liable to pay blood money for his death, because he caused it and was obliged to provide what the man had requested.

A person must therefore examine himself and determine whether he is characterized by these traits. If he is—having neglected the prayer, been heedless of it, and withheld good from others—then let him repent and return to Allah. Otherwise, let him expect woe—we seek refuge in Allah. But if he has kept himself free of these traits, let him rejoice in the promise of good. The Noble Quran is not meant merely to be recited by a person as an act of worship to Allah Most High—