and the virtuous morals he displays; this carries no blame, for it stimulates and heartens the person. So if you notice in a man generosity, bravery, self-sacrifice, and kindness toward others, then you mention those very qualities in his presence to encourage him and steady him so that he perseveres, this is praiseworthy. It falls under the divine command: “Help one another in righteousness and piety” (Quran 5:2).

The second case is to praise him in order to make his merit known among the people so that his reputation spreads and they hold him in esteem—just as the Prophet ﷺ did with Abu Bakr and ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them). Concerning Abu Bakr, the Prophet ﷺ once asked, “Who among you awoke this morning fasting?” Abu Bakr replied, “I did.” He asked, “Who among you followed a funeral today?” Abu Bakr said, “I did.” He asked, “Who among you visited a sick person today?” Abu Bakr again answered, “I did,” and the Prophet ﷺ mentioned other deeds besides. He then said, “These qualities are never combined in a person except that he enters Paradise.” Likewise, when he ﷺ declared, “Whoever lets his garment trail out of arrogance, Allah will not look at him,” Abu Bakr said, “Messenger of Allah, part of my lower garment sometimes slips unless I attend to it.” He replied, “You are not one of those who do so out of arrogance.” And he said to ʿUmar, “Whenever Satan sees you walking down a path, he takes a path other than yours”—meaning that if you take a road, Satan flees to another. All of this was to highlight the virtue of Abu Bakr and ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them), and it is entirely permissible.

The third situation is to praise someone with extravagant flattery, attributing to him qualities he does not possess. That is forbidden; it is nothing but lies and deception—such as when a person heaps accolades upon an emir, a minister, or the like.