riy

Riy is a transliteration variant of the Arabic term riyaa, which denotes ostentation or showing off in religious acts. In English-language discussions, riyaa (also spelled riya, riyaa’, or ri’ya) refers to performing worship or pious deeds in order to gain praise, recognition, or social advantage rather than out of sincere faith. The form "riy" is a less common spelling that may appear in informal transliterations.

The word riyaa comes from Arabic riya’ meaning ostentation and is discussed in Islamic ethics as a form of insincerity that can undermine the spiritual value of an act. In Islamic thought, acts performed with riyaa are distinct from those performed with sincere intention (niyyah) and may be considered lacking reward in the eyes of God. Scholarly discussions often emphasize humility, remembrance of God, and accountability to prevent or correct riyaa.

Outside of religious discourse, "riy" appears only sporadically as a coincidental string of letters, or as a shorthand or abbreviation in unrelated contexts. It is not established as a separate concept in general reference works. In some languages, transliteration variants of riyaa can lead to spellings such as riya or riyaa, but "riy" on its own is not a standard term with a widely accepted meaning.