Gems of the Promised Messiah & Imam Mahdi (as) – Nothing is Inherently Evil

In actuality, human nature is not inherently evil, nor is a thing evil in itself; rather, improper use makes it so. Display, for instance, is not bad in itself. For if one performs an action for the sake of God Almighty alone and so that others are moved to perform that good deed as well, then such an exhibition is also virtuous. 

There are two forms of display. Firstly, for the sake of the world. For instance, when a person is leading the congregational prayer, and a high-ranking person joins the congregation, he begins to prolong the prayer in view and consideration of the latter’s presence. On such an instance, some from among the congregation become overwhelmed with awe, and in turn, the person leading the prayer swells with pride. This is also a kind of ostentation, which is not always manifested, except on particular occasions, like one who eats bread at a time of hunger or one who drinks water at a time of thirst. On the contrary, however, one who beautifies their prayer only for the sake of God Almighty is free from ostentation. In fact, this is a means of seeking divine pleasure. So display too has its occasions and man is a creature that instinctively abstains from improper action. For instance, a person who considers himself to be truly virtuous and pious is travelling alone and comes across a pouch of jewels. He looks at it and realises that there is no one around and no one can see him. If on such occasion the person does not fall upon the money, considering it to be the right of another and belonging to someone else, and thus refrains from taking it, not being driven by greed, then such a one has acted with true virtue and piety. Otherwise, if nothing but mere claims exist, his true character will be revealed on such an occasion and he will take the money. Similarly, a person about whom it is believed that they are free from pretensions will only be proven as such when they do not exhibit ostentation, even when an opportunity arises. 

However, as I have just described, sometimes these habits are performed on such occasions that they become virtues. As such, there is somewhat of an element of display in a person who offers the congregational prayer. However, this would only be ostentatious when one’s purpose is to show others. If, on the other hand, the purpose is obedience to Allah and His Messenger, then this becomes a marvellous blessing. So observe your prayers both at mosques and in your homes. Similarly, if on a particular occasion, contributions are being sought for a religious endeavour and one observes that others do not rise to the occasion and remain unmoved, and such a person leads in making a contribution only so that others may be motivated to do the same, this would apparently be an act of display, yet still warrants spiritual reward. 

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), The Advent of the Promised Messiah (Tilford, Surrey: Islam International Publications Ltd., 2016), 42-44.