Rather, he should go ahead and pray, clothed in tranquility and dignity; that will not harm him. If he confronts Satan and takes no notice of him, Satan will in the end slink away, withdraw, and retreat.

In truth, a person is hemmed in by two assaults. The first strikes before he even sets out to worship: Satan discourages him, saying, “Do not do it—this is showing off; people will praise you.” The second comes after he has already begun the act: Satan returns once more. The servant must repel Satan, seek refuge in Allah from him, press on, and never slacken.

Someone might ask, “When a person finishes an act of worship, hears people praising him, and feels happy about it, is he harmed?” The answer is no. The worship has already been completed soundly, and people’s praise is part of the believer’s immediate glad tidings in this world. Once the act is entirely over and he hears their praise, he should say, “Praise be to Allah, who has made me the object of good mention.”

Likewise, if a person performs an act of worship and, once finished, feels pleased about it, do we say that this joy is self-admiration (iʿjāb) that nullifies the deed? No, it does not harm him. Self-conceit is when, after finishing the worship, a person becomes impressed with himself, lays a claim upon Allah because of it, and reminds Allah of it; that is what cancels the deed—may Allah protect us. This believer, however, never entertained such a thought; he merely praised Allah and rejoiced that Allah enabled him to do good. That joy does not harm him.

For this reason the hadith says: “Whoever is pleased by his good deed and distressed by his bad deed—that is the believer.” May Allah make us and you among them.