Farhan was known as one of the most active volunteers at his local mosque. Whenever there was a community event, a charity program, or a cleaning campaign, he was usually among the first people to arrive and the last to leave.
Many people admired his dedication.
"You are always helping others," one of his friends said. "Everyone appreciates your efforts."
Farhan smiled politely.
However, as time passed, he began to notice something within himself.
Whenever his name was not mentioned during public acknowledgments, he felt disappointed.
Whenever another volunteer received praise, he felt slightly jealous.
These feelings disturbed him.
One evening after Maghrib prayer, Farhan attended a study circle led by an elderly scholar.
The scholar spoke about sincerity.
"Many people focus on visible actions," the scholar said. "But Allah also looks at the condition of the heart."
The room became silent.
The scholar continued.
"A person may perform great deeds, but if he constantly seeks recognition from people, he may lose the deeper spiritual value of those deeds."
Farhan listened carefully.
The words felt as though they were directed specifically at him.
After the lecture, he remained seated in the mosque long after everyone else had left.
He reflected on his intentions.
For the first time, he realized that he had become attached to people's praise.
He had started serving others not only for the sake of Allah but also for the approval of the community.
The realization was painful.
That night, he made a sincere supplication.
"O Allah, purify my intentions and help me seek only Your pleasure."
Over the following months, Farhan decided to change his approach.
He continued volunteering, but he deliberately chose tasks that received little attention.
Sometimes he cleaned the mosque before dawn when nobody was around.
Sometimes he donated anonymously to charity projects.
At first, it felt strange.
No one thanked him.
No one praised him.
No one even knew what he was doing.
Yet gradually, he experienced something unexpected.
Instead of feeling disappointed, he felt peaceful.
The absence of recognition no longer bothered him.
His motivation slowly shifted from pleasing people to pleasing Allah.
One year later, during another community event, Farhan watched younger volunteers receive awards and public appreciation.
This time, he felt genuinely happy for them.
There was no jealousy in his heart.
Only gratitude.
As he walked home that evening, he remembered the scholar's words.
True sincerity was not about hiding good deeds from people.
It was about removing people's approval from the center of one's heart.
And Farhan knew that this lifelong journey of purification had only just begun.
Vocabulary (15 Words)
| No | English | Indonesian |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | volunteer | relawan |
| 2 | dedication | dedikasi |
| 3 | acknowledgment | pengakuan |
| 4 | disappointed | kecewa |
| 5 | jealous | iri |
| 6 | scholar | ulama/cendekiawan |
| 7 | sincerity | keikhlasan |
| 8 | recognition | pengakuan |
| 9 | reflect | merenungkan |
| 10 | intention | niat |
| 11 | supplication | doa |
| 12 | anonymously | secara anonim |
| 13 | motivation | motivasi |
| 14 | gratitude | rasa syukur |
| 15 | purification | penyucian |
Comprehension Questions
Why was Farhan admired by many people?
What feelings began to disturb him?
What topic did the scholar discuss during the study circle?
How did Farhan change his behavior after the lecture?
What important lesson did Farhan learn about sincerity?
Answer Key
He was admired because he was very active in volunteering and helping the community.
He felt disappointed when he was not praised and jealous when others received recognition.
The scholar discussed sincerity and the importance of pure intentions.
He continued helping others but focused on doing good deeds without seeking attention.
He learned that true sincerity means seeking Allah's pleasure rather than people's approval.
Moral Value
Sincerity is one of the most valuable qualities in Islam. Good deeds become more meaningful when they are performed solely for the sake of Allah rather than for praise, recognition, or personal benefit.
