Chapter: Matters that might be assumed to be riyāʾ (showing-off) but are not

1621 – Abū Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: It was said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, “What do you think of a man who performs a righteous deed and the people praise him for it?” He replied, “That is the believer’s glad tidings brought forward in this life.” Reported by Muslim.

[Commentary]
The compiler, Imām al-Nawawī (may Allah have mercy on him), entitles this section “Matters that are imagined to be riyāʾ yet are not,” meaning deeds a person might suspect are tainted by showing-off when in fact they are not. He then cites the ḥadīth just mentioned, in which the Prophet ﷺ was asked about someone who does a good deed and is praised by the people. The Prophet ﷺ answered, “That is the believer’s glad tidings brought forward,” i.e., the people’s commendation of him.

The case envisioned in the report is that a man performs a righteous act solely for Allah. He does not care whether people know about it or not—whether they see him, hear of him, or remain unaware. His action is purely for Allah. Afterwards, however, people speak well of him, saying, “So-and-so is abundant in goodness, constant in worship, generous in helping others,” and the like. Concerning such praise the Prophet ﷺ said, “That is the believer’s glad tidings brought forward,” meaning the commendation itself, for when people speak well of someone they are Allah’s witnesses on earth. For this reason, when a funeral passed before the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions spoke favorably of the deceased, he said, “It is granted.” Another bier then passed and they spoke ill of the person, and he again said, “It is granted.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what