Blindspot!
From Issue: 549 [Read full issue]
Seeking Reputation
Seeking reputations entails informing others of one's acts of obedience after they had been performed free of blemishes.
This results from some causes of showing off. A good deed becomes corrupted when telling others of it. But should you repent, [the deed's goodness] is restored.
Similar to this are deeds done so that others may hear about them. The one who does this is also considered a seeker of reputation, according to those with insight.
The great brigand [al-Shizaz] who robs all of these wayfarers is covetousness.
This is the cause of every iniquity, such as backbiting, lies, preoccupation of the heart during one's prayers, and insincere praise of others. Indeed, one will inevitably resort to hypocrisy as a result of it.
If one recognizes that [creatures] are incapable of benefitting anyone even themselves, then [covetousness] wanes.
Compiled From:
"Purification of the Heart" - Hamza Yusuf, p. 74