In a small village named “Neik Naami” nestled at the edge of a dense forest, the residents were renowned throughout the region for their honesty. The people lived simple lives but never compromised on their principles. Among them was an elderly Quran teacher, Hafiz Sadiq Sahib, whose very life was a living lesson.
One summer vacation, Hafiz Sadiq announced special classes for his four brightest students – Umar, Bilal, Sameeha, and Ayesha. On the first day, when all the students gathered at the madrasa, the teacher began with an unusual lesson. Handing each student a shiny red apple, he said: “Today’s lesson is in the forest. Follow me.”
Deep in the woods where only birds could see them, the teacher instructed: “Each of you will go behind that large banyan tree. No one will be watching you there. You may eat your apple or choose not to. The decision is yours. Then come back and tell me what you did.” The first student, Umar, went behind the tree.
He thought: “Who’s watching?” and took a big bite of the apple. When Bilal went, he thought: “Perhaps the teacher is testing us,” and just tasted the apple before putting it back. Sameeha went next and didn’t even touch the apple. The last student, Ayesha, refused to even hold the apple. When they returned, Hafiz Sadiq first asked Umar: “What did you do, my son?”
Umar replied without hesitation: “Sir, I ate the apple. No one was watching, right?” The teacher smiled but said nothing. He then asked Bilal, who admitted: “Teacher, I only tasted a little bit.” Sameeha said she had touched but not eaten the apple. When it was Ayesha’s turn, she said: “Hafiz Sahib, I didn’t even touch the apple because you gave it to me, and without your permission, I don’t take anything.”
Then Hafiz Sadiq pulled out a shiny object from his beard – a small camera that had been hidden on the tree branch. He explained: “Remember, children, Allah is always watching. What you do in private reveals your true character. Umar thought no one was watching, Bilal saw it as a test, Sameeha exercised self-control, but Ayesha went beyond fear of God to prioritize respect for her teacher.”
The story spread throughout the village. Hafiz Sadiq rewarded each student with a new apple, but gave Umar two, saying: “One for you, and one for the Umar who thought no one was watching.”
**Moral:** Life’s greatest achievement isn’t what others think of you, but what you think of yourself. True character shines even in solitude. As Imam Ghazali said: “A person’s faith is revealed when they are alone.” Always remember that your conscience, your Lord, and your principles are always with you – whether anyone is watching or not.