What Is Hidden Shirks ?
This hadith is not condemning worldly ambition. It is condemning corrupted intention in acts that are supposed to be done for Allah.Riyā’ (showing off) happens when a person performs an act of worship — something meant purely for Allah — but internally does it for people’s praise. For example, fighting “for Allah” but actually wanting to be called brave, teaching religion but wanting status, giving charity so people call you generous. That is why it is spiritually serious: because the person presents the act as worship while seeking human approval.But pursuing science, career success, wealth, or recognition in worldly matters is not automatically riyā’. Wanting appreciation for your hard work is natural. Islam does not deny human psychology. Recognition, reputation, and ambition are normal motivations. They only become morally problematic if they involve arrogance, injustice, or deception — not simply because you want to succeed.The key difference is this:Riyā’ is when you claim to act for Allah but actually act for people.Healthy ambition is when you pursue excellence in worldly matters and appreciate recognition without pretending it is worship.Even pride in knowledge or career success is not automatically riyā’. It may become arrogance (kibr) if it leads to looking down on others, but it is not the same as spiritual hypocrisy.The three people in the hadith were punished not because they achieved great things, but because they used sacred acts — jihad, knowledge of religion, charity — as tools for ego and public image. They turned worship into self-promotion.So ambition is not condemned. Recognition is not shirk. What is condemned is using religion to feed the ego while pretending sincerity.