Exceptions

The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Performing actions in secret is better than performing them publicly, except for the one who wishes to set an example.

Imam al-Baqir (AS) was once asked by his companion Zurara, about a man who performs a good deed which people happen to see, and which he feels good about as a result. Imam replied, 'It does not matter as long as he did not [originally] perform the action for that purpose. Everyone naturally wants people to see them as good.

Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The deed of one who performs it in secret is recorded down as a secret action. If he admits to having performed it [when asked], the previous record is erased and it is recorded instead as a public action. If he subsequently avers it himself, however, the previous record is erased and it is recorded instead as showing off.