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Seeking The Pleasure of The People Is an Unattainable Goal, So Fulfil Their Rights and Do Not Oppress Them, But Do Not Seek Their Pleasure To Displease Allaah!

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:

And what is obligatory to know is that it is neither an admissible (idea) for the intellect (i.e. the sound, uncorrupted intellect) nor (plausible) in the religion to seek the pleasure of the creation (i.e. mankind) due to two affairs:

Firstly: Indeed this is not possible, just as (Imaam) Ash-Shaafi’ee said: The people are an unattainable goal. Therefore, upon you is to (pursue) the affair that rectifies (or make your affairs upright and) adhere to it. Leave what is besides it and do not concern (yourself with) it.

Secondly: Indeed, we have been commanded to (strive to attain) the pleasure of Allaah and His Messenger, as Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَاللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَقُّ أَن يُرْضُوهُ إِن كَانُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ – but it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), if they are believers (9:62)]

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to fear Allaah and not fear anyone except Allaah, as Allaah (The Most High) said: [فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ – so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers (3:175)]

Allaah said:

[فَلَا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ -Therefore fear not men but fear Me (5:44)]

Allaah said:

[فَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ – Then, fear Me (Allaah) much [and Me (Alone), i.e. be away from all kinds of sins and evil deeds that Allah has forbidden and do all that Allah has ordained and worship none but Allah (16:51)]

Allaah said:

[وَإِيَّايَ فَاتَّقُونِ – and fear Me and Me Alone (2:41)]

It is incumbent upon us to fear Allaah and to fear Allaah concerning the (rights) of the people- we should neither harm them with our hearts (i.e. unjustified hatred, blameworthy envy etc) nor with of our limbs (i.e. physical harm). We should fulfil their rights by way of our hearts and limbs, and we do not fear them and leave what Allaah and His Messenger commanded- out of fear of them. The one who adheres to this path, the (good) end results will be his, just as Aa’isha wrote to Mu’aawiyah, (saying), ‘’To proceed: Indeed, whoever seeks the pleasure of the people at the expense of Allaah’s Pleasure will (earn) Allaah’s displeasure and Allah will cause the people to be displeased with him. And the praise of the people will become blame against him.  And whoever seeks Allaah’s Pleasure at the expense of people’s pleasure, will (earn) Allaah’s Pleasure and Allah will cause the people to be pleased with him.”

So the believer’s consideration and intention is nothing else but to (seek) the pleasure of his Lord and avoid His displeasure, and the (good) end result will be his – ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله

[Majmoo 3/233…Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

ibaadah, protection, Salaf, scholars, softening the hearts, worship