How much should you want to please Allah? Salam and a thought
A long read - As-salamu alaykum. Allah makes His pleasure the ultimate aim: وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ “But the pleasure of Allah is greater (than everything).” (Qur’an 9:72) Point: Allah’s pleasure is above even the delights of Jannah. Allah links success and salvation to seeking His pleasure: فَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضْوَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ “Whoever follows the pleasure of Allah, there will be no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.” (Qur’an 5:16) Point: Pleasing Allah promises freedom from the ultimate fear and sorrow. Allah commands preferring Him over everything else: قُلْ إِن كَانَ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ… وَأَمْوَٰلٌ ٱقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا… أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ “If your fathers, sons, wealth, homes, and businesses are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger…” (Qur’an 9:24) - a warning follows. Point: Allah must be dearer to you than family, wealth, comfort, and safety. A hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: “None of you truly believes until Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than anything else.” (Bukhari & Muslim) Point: Wanting to please Allah is essential to iman. Allah’s pleasure overcomes seeking human approval: “Whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure by displeasing people, Allah will suffice him against the people.” (Tirmidhi, Hasan) Point: Choose Allah’s approval even if it costs social comfort. The highest gift in Paradise: The Prophet ﷺ related that Allah will ask the people of Paradise if they are pleased, then grant them something better: His own pleasure and never being angry with them again. (Bukhari & Muslim) Point: Even Jannah is perfected by Allah’s pleasure. Voices of the salaf: - Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله: The heart’s purpose is to love Allah and seek His pleasure. - al-Ghazālī رحمه الله: Sincerity shows when one prefers Allah’s pleasure even against personal desire. - Hasan al-Basrī رحمه الله: True honor is in pleasing Allah, not people. So how much should you want to please Allah? You should want Allah’s pleasure more than your comfort, reputation, desires, safety, relationships, even your life - not in a reckless way, but deliberately and consciously. What this does NOT mean: It doesn’t mean perfection, nonstop guilt, ignoring your needs, or expecting to never slip. Allah says He does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear (2:286). What it DOES mean: - When desires clash with obedience, you strive to choose Allah. - When people disapprove, you still give preference to Allah’s command. - When you sin, the real pain is that you’ve displeased Allah. - When deciding, you ask: “Which option brings me closer to Allah’s pleasure?” That striving itself is worship. The heart’s order: Loving other things is allowed - family, work, lawful pleasures - but Allah must be at the top. Love family for Allah, pursue success without disobeying, enjoy halal things while keeping Allah first. A simple test from the scholars: Ask: “If Allah is pleased with this but no one else is, would I still do it?” Your honest answer shows how much you really want to please Allah. Signs Allah may be pleased with you (without claiming certainty): - Consistency in good, even if small. The Prophet ﷺ said the most beloved deeds are those done consistently. (Bukhari & Muslim) - Feeling troubled by sin - that regret is mercy. The Prophet ﷺ described sin as something that troubles the heart. (Muslim) - Quickness to repent. Allah loves those who constantly repent (Qur’an 2:222). - Humility after good deeds - fearing they might not be accepted. The companions showed this humility. (Tirmidhi) Final reflection: You were created for worship: “I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Qur’an 51:56). Worship means seeking Allah’s pleasure. Want that above all, but with hope, love, mercy, and effort - not despair. May Allah make us among those who love Him most and seek His pleasure sincerely. Ameen.