Chapter 28: A Reminder for the Heart
28.1 Ustaz Bahar
Makcik Samirah's Eatery
Pak Bahar stepped closer to Makcik Samirah with a serious expression. "Makcik, did you realize that those boys weren't being honest?" he asked cautiously.
➤ Makcik Samirah, who was tidying up the tables, smiled faintly. "I did, Ustaz."
Pak Bahar frowned, slightly surprised. "If you knew, why didn't you say anything?"
➤ Instead, Makcik Samirah asked him back, "Then why didn't you say anything either, Ustaz?"
Pak Bahar fell silent for a moment. "Eh, but this is your business, Makcik. Why should I be the one to remind them?" he asked, sounding slightly hesitant.
Makcik Samirah's gentle smile remained. "Aren't we supposed to remind each other? Especially you, Ustaz, who has more knowledge than me."
Pak Bahar was taken aback. Her words felt like a soft slap to his conscience. He silently recited astaghfirullah, feeling guilty for witnessing the wrongdoing without intervening.
Finally, he said, "Alright then, I'll go find them and correct their mistake."
➤ But before he could take a step, Makcik Samirah gently held his arm. "There's no need, Ustaz."
Pak Bahar looked at her, confused. "Why, Makcik? This kind of act shouldn't be ignored."
Makcik Samirah sighed softly. "I'm not trying to blame anyone. I just wanted to share my thoughts. There's a reason why I let it be."
Pak Bahar raised an eyebrow. "What reason, Makcik? That was wrong. Such an act is like that of Dajjal, you know?" he said firmly.
Makcik Samirah chuckled. "Ustaz, don't call them Dajjal."
Pak Bahar shook his head. "I wasn't referring to them. I meant their action."
Makcik Samirah laughed lightly, then explained, "When they weren't honest, I forgave them from the start. I considered it charity—the extra food they didn't pay for."
Pak Bahar stood still, absorbing her words. Slowly, he shook his head and muttered, "Masya Allah… you have such a kind heart, Makcik."
Makcik Samirah smiled, then raised her hand slightly. "Eh, don't praise me too much, Ustaz. I fear it might lead me to riya'."
Pak Bahar chuckled. "InsyaAllah, may Allah protect your sincerity from any wrong intentions."
Makcik Samirah nodded, quietly saying Ameen.
"Well then, I'll take my leave now, Makcik. Assalamu'alaikum."
"Wa'alaikumsalam, Ustaz."
Pak Bahar walked away with a calmer heart, while Makcik Samirah continued her work with full sincerity.
Footnotes:
1. Kalimat Thayyibah – Righteous words frequently used to remember Allah, such as Masya Allah, Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Laa ilaaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar.
2. Ikhlas – Performing deeds solely for Allah's sake, without expecting worldly rewards.
3. Riya' – Doing good deeds with the intention of seeking praise or recognition from others, which can nullify the reward of the action.
28.2 Friday Morning
In Rizky's Room
"Today is Friday. Where should we go for Jum'ah prayer?" Rizky asked as he neatly arranged the koko shirt he was going to wear.
Rayan, who was sitting in the corner of the room, quickly responded, "Let's pray at a mosque outside the palace for a change of atmosphere."
They exchanged glances for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"That's a good idea. Tomorrow is our last practice before Bang Zaki's event," Rizky added, reminding them.
"Well then, let's take a shower and get ready," he continued.
"Alright," they answered in unison before heading to their rooms to prepare.
Jum'ah Prayer
That afternoon, Rizky and his friends arrived at the mosque early. After performing wudu, they chose to sit in the back. Though it was a bit far from the pulpit, they could still clearly see and hear the khutbah.
Not long after, the mosque committee announced the names of today's prayer officers: Jamaluddin as the muazin, Ibrahim as the imam, and Ustaz Bahar, Lc., MA, as the khatib.
As the adhan echoed through the mosque, the atmosphere turned silent, filled with solemnity. After the second adhan concluded, the khatib ascended the pulpit, greeted the congregation, and began his sermon.
"The theme of today's khutbah is honesty," the khatib said in a firm yet calm voice.
"Honesty is one of the most essential pillars in a Muslim's life. Be honest, whether in big matters or small. Dishonesty stems from fear—fear of loss, fear of lacking, or simply the desire for temporary pleasure."
The khatib's words started to touch the hearts of many in the congregation. Among them, Rayan suddenly felt uneasy. The word "honesty" instantly reminded him of what had happened the day before at Makcik Samirah's stall, when he had not been truthful about the number of fried snacks he had eaten.
However, his unease grew even more when the khatib continued, "Be honest in simple matters. For example, if you eat eight pieces of fried snacks, say eight. Don't say two."
Rayan stiffened. He glanced left and right, feeling as if he was being directly called out.
But what shocked him the most was when the khatib emphasized again, "Especially if you eat more than ten but claim it was only eight. That's not right."
Rayan's eyes widened. He started to question in his heart, How does this ustaz know exactly? Is he a wali of Allah?
He tried to get a clearer look at the khatib's face, and to his surprise, it seemed as if the khatib was looking directly at him.
Then, in an even more serious tone, the khatib stated, "Especially if he actually ate more than ten."
Rayan's heart pounded hard. Astaghfirullah, what is happening? I'm doomed!
He quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at anyone. Cold sweat began to form on his forehead.
Unable to bear it, he whispered to Zikri, who was sitting next to him. "Hey, don't you think he's talking about us?"
Zikri merely shook his head slightly, holding back laughter. Meanwhile, Rizky, sitting beside them, put a finger to his lips—signaling them to be quiet.
However, when Rayan tried to distract himself by opening his phone, the khatib's voice suddenly rang out again, this time with a sharper tone.
"Not only dishonest, but also ignorant of religious etiquette! One should not talk, let alone use a phone, during a khutbah. That is extremely inappropriate behavior!"
Rayan's panic escalated. Some members of the congregation around him even began glancing in his direction.
Ya Allah, I'm mentally shattered, he thought, lowering his head even further.
"Why do I say that using a phone during khutbah is inappropriate?" the khatib continued.
"Because human nature tends to imitate what it sees. For instance, if we see someone eating fried noodles, we might also crave fried noodles. The same applies to using a phone. If one person does it, children who see will be tempted to follow."
"Do we want such bad habits to spread?" he asked, his voice firm.
The mosque grew even quieter. His words felt like a hard slap to some of the attendees—especially Rayan, who kept sinking deeper into guilt.
"And don't forget," the khatib added, "one of the signs of Dajjal's followers is dishonesty. Let's make sure we are not among them!"
Then, the khatib closed his sermon with one final message:
"From now on, dear congregation, instill the values of faith, manners, and honesty in our children. We must ensure they do not grow up to be followers of Dajjal. One of Dajjal's traits is dishonesty."
The mosque remained completely silent, as if every attendee was deeply reflecting on the message.
Once the khutbah ended and the Jum'ah prayer was completed, Rayan kept his head lowered the entire time, not daring to look at anyone.
In his heart, he promised to change—to at least start learning to be honest, even in small matters.
But… would Rayan truly keep his promise?
Only time would tell.
Footnotes:
1. Muazin – The person who calls the adhan (call to prayer).
2. Imam – The person who leads the congregational prayer.
3. Khatib – The preacher who delivers the sermon, usually for Jum'ah prayers.
4. Mimbar – The pulpit where the khatib stands to deliver the sermon.
5. Wali Allah – A title for someone considered close to Allah due to their piety.
6. Khutbah – The sermon delivered before the Jum'ah prayer.
7. Salat al-Jumu'ah (Jum'ah Prayer) – The obligatory two-unit prayer that replaces the Dhuhr prayer on Fridays.
8. Jama'ah (Congregation) – A group of people gathered for collective worship.