On the authority of ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever seeks Allah’s good pleasure while incurring people’s displeasure, Allah will be pleased with him and will cause the people to be pleased with him. But whoever seeks people’s good pleasure while incurring Allah’s displeasure, Allah will be displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him.” (1) Recorded by Ibn Ḥibbān in his Ṣaḥīḥ.

al-tamasa: to seek.

Overall meaning of the ḥadīth: The Prophet ﷺ points out the path that secures Allah’s approval—and, as a consequence, people’s approval—and the path that leads to Allah’s anger—and, inevitably, people’s anger. Because human beings are limited in their knowledge of outcomes and are often swayed by passing influences, their wishes may conflict with what Allah has legislated for their immediate and ultimate welfare. At that juncture the stance of one whose faith is sound is clearly distinguished from that of one whose faith wavers.

The believer gives precedence to Allah’s pleasure over that of people; he remains steadfast upon Allah’s law and is not deterred by the blame of any critic. Allah then supports him, for he has shown reverence for Allah: “And whoever fears Allah—He will make for him a way out.” [al-Ṭalāq 65:2]

The one with shaky faith, however, prefers people’s pleasure to Allah’s. He fulfils their wishes even when they conflict with what Allah has ordained. In reality he has feared people rather than Allah, and the outcome he sought will be reversed: those who once praised him will turn to censure, and they will be powerless to help him against Allah. Thus he harms himself and harms those he hoped to benefit through his disobedience.