Questioner says: Oh Eminent Sheikh -may Allah give you success- some people do not speak about the blessings of Allah but rather they conceal them and say: "I fear that if I were to speak about them (the blessings of Allah) I would be afflicted by the evil-eye and/or envy". He uses as a proof the hadeeth of the Prophet -sallahu 'alayhi wasallam- where He said: Seek help in executing your needs by keeping them secret.*
So I hope for some instructions if there is an apparent contradiction?
Answer: Firstly, the hadeeth "Seek help in executing your needs by keeping them secret" this (hadeeth) I don't think that it is authentic, I don't think that it is an authentic hadeeth. Secondly, as for not wanting to speak about the blessings of Allah fearing the evil-eye and fearing this and that, this is trickery from the Shaytaan. Because Allah the Mighty and Sublime commanded His Prophet -sallahu 'alayhi wasallam- by saying: And as for the favors of your Lord then speak about them.(94:11)
So now you say: "no i'm not going to mention anything because I fear such and such a thing" no this isn't the case. Speak about the favors of Allah! As this is (showing your) appreciation to Allah the Mighty and Sublime and do not conceal them instead speak about them and don't be afraid. Because this is from displaying appreciation to Allah and showing one's gratitude towards Him 'azza wa jall.
Translators Note: *If anyone knows the authenticity of this hadeeth please can you post so that we can benefit thereby. Baarakallah feekum
Taken from:http://www.alfawzan.ws/AlFawzan/FatwaaTree/tabid/84/Default.aspx?View=Page&NodeID=17904&PageID=9838
Translated by:Abu Fouzaan Qaasim
what would be the distinction between showing/speaking about the blessings of
Allah and showing off? ie, where would we draw the line?
Allah the Most High knows best. However here is a question that was asked to Sheikh Fouzaan -may Allah preserve him- insha Allah it sheds some light on your question.
The Intentions are that which distinguish between Showing-Off and other than it by the Sheikh Saalih Al-Fouzaan -may Allah preserve him-
Question: Oh Honorable Sheikh may Allah give you success, if a person fasts Mondays for example and there's another person with him so that person asks him: Are you fasting or not? If the (fasting) person answers in the affirmative does this fall under Riyaa' (Showing-Off)?
Answer: It depends on the persons intention, if he intends to just merely answer the question then this doesn't harm. However if he intends to be praised (for this thing) and the like then this is how Riyaa' enters (upon him). It all depends on his purpose behind answering the question.
Taken from:http://www.alfawzan.ws/AlFawzan/FatwaaTree/tabid/84/Default.aspx?View=Page&NodeID=17664&PageID=10893
Translated by: Abu Fouzaan Qaasim
So what I take from the Sheikh is that the line between the two (Speaking about the blessings of Allah/Showing-Off) lies in the intentions of the person and everyone knows what he intends. And Allah knows best.
http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=4020
quote:
I say this from the point, "And proclaim the bounty of your Lord." (ad-Duhaa:11)
سبحان الذي لا يشكر إلا بنعمة أخرى