Is loving to hear praise considered hypocrisy (riyaʾ) that diminishes reward, and how can one push away this thought and purify one's intention in action?

Love of praise is innate in humans, and what is blameworthy is performing acts of worship for the sake of people's commendation. Working for other than Allah falls into categories, one of which is pure ostentation (riya'), which invalidates the deed and renders its perpetrator deserving of punishment. If the origin of the deed was for Allah but ostentation became mixed with it, then if it was mixed from its very beginning, the deed is invalid. However, if the intention of ostentation occurs after one has started the deed, and the servant repels it, it does not harm him. But if he gives in to it, some scholars are of the opinion that the deed is not invalidated and he is rewarded for his initial intention; this is the more sound view for deeds whose beginning is connected to their end, such as prayer. As for deeds that have no such connection, like recitation, they are interrupted by the sudden intention. If people praise the righteous servant for a deed done for Allah, and this does not harm him, then this is the immediate glad tiding for the believer. Sincerity requires struggle, and repelling whispers of ostentation is achieved by seeking refuge [in Allah] and saying: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating partners with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know." One must be moderate in self-reckoning, and forbidden ostentation is specific to pure acts of worship. The intention does not need to be uttered.