Linguistically riyaa comes from the root "ra`aa" which means to see, to behold, to view. The derived word ’riyaa’ means "eyeservice, hypocrisy, dissimulation; dissemblance." From a Sharee`ah point of view, "to perform acts which are pleasing to Allah, with the intention of pleasing other than Allah". Thus riyaa originates in the heart.
