The causes are: (1) Desire for fame (2) Fear of being criticized (3) Greed for wealth. (Nayki ki Da’wat, pp. 86)

پیچھا مرا دنیا کی محبّت سے چھڑا دے

یا رب مجھے دیوانہ مدینے کا بنا دے

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب       صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

4. Create sincerity in your deeds

The fourth cure for showing off is sincerity. The Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, ‘O people! Perform deeds with sincerity for    Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, as Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ accepts only those deeds performed with sincerity for Him, and do not say this (deed) is for Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and for the sake of relationship.’ (Sunan Dar Qutni, vol. 1, pp. 73, Hadees 130)

Who is sincere?

A saint was once asked, ‘Who is a sincere person?’ He replied, ‘A sincere person hides his good deeds as he hides his evils.’ Another pious person was asked, ‘What’s the limit to sincerity?’ He replied, ‘[Its limit is that] you have no desire to be praised by the people.’ (Az-Zawajir, vol. 1, pp. 90; Nayki ki Da’wat, pp. 89)

یکساں ہو مَدح و ذَم مجھ پہ کر دو کرم

نہ خُوشی ہو نہ غم تاجدارِ حرم

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب       صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

5. Protect your intention

The fifth cure for showing off is to protect your intention. The Blessed and Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: ‘Deeds are based on intentions, and everyone will get what he intended.’ (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 5, Hadees 1)