Seeking Allah’s Satisfaction Above All Else
There will always be moments in life when you feel the discontent of people toward you—whether it’s their criticism, disappointment, or even outright rejection. As humans, we naturally desire to be accepted, understood, and appreciated by others. However, when this desire begins to weigh on our hearts, leading us to prioritise people’s approval over Allah’s, we risk losing what truly matters: His pleasure.
The key is to shift your focus. Instead of being consumed by the discontent of people, find solace in the satisfaction of Allah. When you sincerely seek His pleasure, His love, and His acceptance, it will preoccupy your heart to the point where people’s opinions no longer hold power over you.
The reality is, no matter how much you try to please people, their expectations will always shift. They will always find faults, misinterpret your intentions, or hold you to impossible standards. But Allah is not like people. He sees the sincerity of your heart, the efforts you make, and the struggles you endure. And His satisfaction is not fickle—it is eternal, unchanging, and far more valuable than the fleeting approval of this world.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure at the cost of people’s displeasure, Allah will be pleased with him and will make the people pleased with him. And whoever seeks to please the people at the cost of Allah’s displeasure, Allah will be displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him as well.” (Ibn Hibban)
This Hadith is a powerful reminder that chasing people’s approval at the expense of Allah’s will never bring lasting contentment. In contrast, when you seek Allah’s pleasure—even if it means facing disapproval from others—Allah will grant you inner peace and eventually turn the hearts of people in your favour, or remove those who are not meant to be in your life.
This is a test of sincerity. It requires courage to stand firm in what pleases Allah, even when it makes you unpopular. It requires faith to believe that His satisfaction is enough. And it requires patience to endure the criticism or misunderstandings that may come your way.
But in the end, what matters most is how Allah sees you, not how people see you. The true success is not in being loved by everyone, but in being loved by the One whose love lasts beyond this world and into eternity. So, let your heart find peace in seeking Him, and the noise of the world will fade into insignificance.