Rushing pious acts for fear of people seeing one performing them and some arrogant thoughts…

I have a habit of performing certain pious acts, but when I am in public I often rush these for fear that my intention will become insincere, and I will commit shirk in that my deeds will be for people to think good of me. I also try to “hide” my good actions for this reason and out of embarrassment, is this wrong? Lastly, sometimes thoughts of an arrogant nature occur to me and I reprimand myself, what should I do?

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Assalamu Alaikum,

Shaitan tries his utmost to take people away from the obedience of Allah in whichever way he can. The thoughts which you are experiencing are nothing but from the evil whispers and insinuations of the accursed Satan. You should continue with your pious actions and dismiss the thoughts which you get. If you are in the midst of a good action and someone happens to be there, continue with it and complete it in the matter prescribed by Islam. Yes you should try to hide your actions as much as possible, but if there is a need to disclose it, then do disclose it with the intention that the inquiring person will try to do that action as well.

If at any time, thoughts of arrogance over take you, then dismiss them by saying Astaghfirullah. But you should never let your thoughts of arrogance transform into words or actions. The thoughts are out of our control. But our words and actions can be controlled by us. Never express arrogance by your words or your actions explicitly or implicitly.

May Allah grant sincerity to us all in all of our actions and words.

Sincerely,

Nazim Mangera