بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Husayn Bin Abdir Rahmaan narrated: I was with Sa’eed Bin Jubair when he said, “Who amongst you saw a shooting star last night?” I said, “I did”. Then I said, “I was not in prayer, but was stung by a scorpion”. He said, “Then what did you do?” I said, “I performed Ruqyah…” [1]

Question: Why did Husayn Bin Abdir Rahman mention that he was not in prayer after informing Sa’eed Bin Jubayr that he saw the shooting star last night?!

Answer:

Imam Sa’di, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “This is because the pious predecessors were far removed from praising a person for something he does not possess”. [2]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: He (Husayn) made this statement to prevent people from thinking that he was engaged in prayer, and thus he is praised for what he did not do. This is the opposite of what some people do, as they rejoice when others think they were praying. This behaviour reflects a deficiency in one’s Tawhid. Husayn’s statement is viewed as showing off, but rather as a virtuous deed. It is not comparable to someone who avoids acts of obedience due to the fear of showing off, as Shaytan manipulates them and convinces them to abandon good deeds due to fear of showing off. Instead, one should perform acts of obedience, but nothing should be in your heart that you desire to be seen by people. [3]

Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaykh, may Allah preserve him, said, “He (Husayn) uttered these words due to his fear that those who were present may assume that he saw the shooting star during his prayer. Thus, he disclaimed any association with it. This highlights the virtue of pious predecessors, their eagerness for sincerity, distance from ostentation, and adorning oneself with something not possessed”. [4]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, said: O my brothers! Sincerity is a mighty affair. It is obligated to a Muslim to protect it and self-reflect at all times. One of the pious predecessors: “I used to think that the hadith required an intention [i.e. sincerity when seeking hadith in general], but then I realised that every hadith requires an intention.” So, when you convey or speak, do you desire praise from the people or do you desire the Face of Allah? Do you desire that it is said, “He is a scholar, intelligent, a jurist”, or do you seek the pleasure of Allah and fulfill the duty you bear? [5]

Read: https://abukhadeejah.com/chapter-36-concerning-riya-showing-off-ones-good-deeds-kitab-at-tawheed-ibn-abdul-wahhab/

[1] Saheeh Muslim 220
[2] An Excerpt from “Al-Qawlus Sadeed Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed”. page 77
[3] An Excerpt from “Al-Qawlul Mufeed Alaa Kitaab At-Tawheed”. 1/97
[4] An Excerpt from “Sharh Fat-hul Majeed Li-Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed”. 1/162
[5] An Excerpt from “Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm” pages 53-55