Islam is a peace-loving, great, true and complete religion. All Islamic teachings not only conform to human nature but they also guarantee a complete and excellent society. ‘Pleasing someone’ is also one of the incredible traits of Islamic teachings and this beautiful attribute is the source of the survival of the system of life; furthermore, it is a means of a pleasant life. ‘Pleasing someone’ is such a beautiful excellence that cultivates in human the habit of behaving gracefully towards others and makes him an embodiment of high values. It is an endearing habit through which a person can win the hearts of others. It is why Islam persuades us again and again to please other Muslims by treating them well and sharing their grief and sorrow.
Meaning of pleasing others
‘Pleasing others’, ‘consoling’, ‘sympathizing’, ‘offering condolence’, ‘expressing compassion’ etc., all the above-mentioned expressions are synonyms of ‘pleasing others’, and it gives the following meanings: ‘extending sympathy’, ‘making people happy’ and ‘gladden the heart of others’.
Three blessed sayings of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم about pleasing others
1 After offering Faraid [obligations], the most superior act in the sight of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ is to gladden the heart of a Muslim [brother]. (Mu’jam Kabeer, vol. 11, pp. 59, Hadees 11079)
2 Undoubtedly, gladden the heart of your Muslim brother is also from the noble acts that make forgiveness Wajib. (Mu’jam-e-Awsat, vol. 6, pp. 129, Hadees 8245)
3 Whoever makes a Muslim happy pleases Allah. (Hilyat-ul-Awliya, pp. 66, vol. 3, Hadees 3188)
Parable and Lesson
Imam Hasan رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ passed by some [acutely] needy people who were eating leftover bread crumbs, lying scattered on the floor. They requested Imam Hasan رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ to have food with them. He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ ate some [food] with them. While leaving, he said Salaam to them and said, ‘I have accepted your invitation and now you should also accept my invitation.’ He invited them over; and when they came to him [his home], he رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ served them with excellent food and also joined them in eating food. (Ihya-ul-Uloom, vol. 2, pp. 45; amended)
Ponder over! Imam Hasan رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, the grandson of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, despite possessing ‘high rank and exalted status’, joined those poor people to please them and then invited them over in return. He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ practically taught us a lesson that apart from the rich, we should also treat the poor with love, affection and kindness.
Benefits of pleasing others
Pleasing others according to Shar’i rulings bring great benefits in this world and the Hereafter. For example, it strengthens relationships, removes displeasure and develops love. In addition to these benefits, the act of ‘pleasing others’ frequently can help bring others close to you and creates a healthy environment in society. A person who is habituated to it is loved by all. Above all, he who pleases others following the ‘blessed Shari’ah rulings’ can attain the will of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Thus, we should cultivate a habit of pleasing others.
Ways to please others
Enquiring after a patient, condoling a grief-stricken person, attending the funeral procession, sympathizing with a Muslim [brother] who has suffered a loss, keeping in touch with friends and relatives from time to time for the will of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and for calling people to righteousness, doing good and showing gentleness to a Muslim brother, helping the needy financially as per one’s capacity, removing worries of the grief-stricken and providing others with ease and comfort by sacrificing one’s own comfort. In short, treating a Muslim brother well, by any permissible means according to Shar’i rulings, is the act of pleasing others.
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