Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, has a clear message for imams and preachers: stay sincere and avoid showing off. He pointed to the trend of filming and posting prayers and sermons from mosques, especially during Ramadan, as something that goes against true sincerity.

In a religious edict (fatwa), Al-Sheikh responded to a question about the Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ recent decision to ban filming and sharing mosque prayers and lectures online.

He backed the move, saying the issue was serious even before the ban, as mistakes could happen, and sincerity in worship must always come first

“For any act of worship to be accepted, it must meet two conditions: sincerity to God and alignment with the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet’s Sunnah,” he explained, as shared by Saudi Gazette.

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The Grand Mufti referenced a well-known saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “The thing I fear most for you is minor polytheism.” When asked what that meant, the Prophet replied, “Hypocrisy.” Al-Sheikh also pointed to another hadith: “Whoever listens, Allah will listen to him, and whoever shows off, Allah will show off with him.”

While acknowledging that the rulings on filming acts of worship depend on the intention behind them, he stressed that true sincerity is key. He also emphasized if an action isn’t done purely for Allah, it won’t be accepted. He urged Muslims to reflect on their intentions ASAP.

The takeaway? Worship is about sincerity, not social media.