Allah’s Pleasure vs People’s Pleasure

[ummtaalib]

 

Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who seeks the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala through (carrying out an action which is pleasing to Allah Ta‘ala, but is) displeasing (to) people, then Allah Ta‘ala will suffice him against the difficulty of the people (i.e. the difficulty he experiences from them), and the one who seeks the pleasure of people through (carrying out an action which is pleasing to people, but is) displeasing (to) Allah Ta‘ala, Allah Ta‘ala will abandon him and leave him to the people (i.e. he will lose the divine assistance of Allah Ta‘ala and will be left at the mercy of the people).” (Sunan Tirmidhi)

 

In this blessed hadeeth, we are taught that if a believer is ever in a situation where he is forced to choose between pleasing Allah Ta‘ala at the expense of displeasing people, and pleasing people at the expense of displeasing Allah Ta‘ala, then he must ensure that he pleases Allah Ta‘ala.

 

It should be borne in mind that if a person is able to please people and also please Allah Ta‘ala, in such a manner that his Deen is not compromised in any way and people are also happy, then this will be the ideal. However, there are times when a person is unable to please both Allah Ta‘ala and people, as the decision that the people want him to make or action they want him to carry out is in direct conflict with the command of Allah Ta‘ala. In this case, a believer must place his loyalty to Allah Ta‘ala above all else and ensure that he pleases Allah Ta‘ala.

 

For example, if a person’s family wish for him to attend a mixed function (i.e. a gathering with no purdah, segregation, etc.), or a function in which there will be music, photography and other similar sins, then in such a case, he should ensure that he pleases Allah Ta‘ala by not attending the function, though it will result in his family being displeased.

 

Through one remaining faithful to Allah Ta‘ala and pleasing Him, one will acquire the divine assistance of Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, Allah Ta‘ala will suffice him against the harm or ill treatment which people wish to inflict upon him. On the contrary, if one gives preference to pleasing people, then Allah Ta‘ala will abandon him and leave him to the people. Thereafter, it is most likely that the very people whom he tried to please, and for whose sake he displeased Allah Ta‘ala, will turn their backs on him, causing him to become a loser in this world and the next.

 

In regard to the futility of a person making it his mission to try and please all people, Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) once advised his student, Yunus bin Abdil Aa’laa (rahimahullah), saying, “Pleasing people is a goal which is unattainable (i.e. you will never be able to please and satisfy every person at all times), and there is no way that you will be able to remain safe from (the criticism and negative remarks of) people. Hence, (do not be concerned about pleasing people and about their negative remarks, but rather) concern yourself with that which will benefit you and firmly hold onto it (i.e. pleasing Allah Ta‘ala etc.).” (Siyaru Aa’laamin Nubalaa vol. 10, pg. 89)

 

From this golden advice of Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah), we learn that our primary focus and concern in life should be to please and obey Allah Ta‘ala. If we acquire the divine happiness of Allah Ta‘ala, then we will be successful in this world and the next.

 

May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all with His divine pleasure, aameen.

 

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