A reflection on Surah Al-Insan 76:9 - the righteous who serve without seeking thanks or recognition, and what that teaches in an age of public approval.
Every person carries a natural longing to be seen and appreciated. Left unchecked, that longing can quietly reshape why a person does good in the first place.
Feeding Only for Allah's Sake
Allah (SWT) describes the righteous:
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءً وَلَا شُكُورًا
"We feed you only for the face of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude." (Surah Al-Insan 76:9)
Their care for the poor, the orphan, the captive, is not measured by whether it is acknowledged. The Prophet (SAW) said, "Whoever seeks Allah's pleasure by the people's wrath, Allah will suffice him from the people. And whoever seeks the people's pleasure by Allah's wrath, Allah will entrust him to the people." (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2414)
A Question Worth Asking
We encourage our students to ask themselves, especially where public recognition (likes, praise, attention) is easy to chase, whether a fleeting moment of approval is really worth trading for something lasting and unseen by Allah (SWT) alone.
May Allah (SWT) inspire our students to be grateful for His favours and to do good deeds that please Him alone, regardless of who is watching. Ameen.