Shaykh Abu Umar Usaamah al-Utaybee (may Allaah preserve him) said:
"Showing off for the people. Looking to that which they say and hear from their speech. Leaning towards the worldly life and being heedless of the hereafter. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever seeks to be heard, Allaah will make the people hear of him. Whoever shows off (for the people), Allaah will make him seen." (Agreed Upon)
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) stated:
"Allaah ta 'aala said: I'm the most independent from having partners associated with Me. Whoever does an action in which he associates with Me other than Me, I abandon him and his act of polytheism." (Muslim)
It is a must for the person, the Muslim, the Salafee, the one who has Taqwaa (fear of Allaah) to make (all acts of worship) for Allaah and not turn towards the people (seeking their praise). Therefore, please the Lord of mankind. Give precedence to pleasing Him over pleasing the servants (of Allaah). Fear the anger of Allaah and do not fear the anger of the people when it is (in that which) pleases Allaah. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allaah but angers the people, Allaah will be pleased with him and will make the people pleased with him. Whoever seeks to please the people by that which angers Allaah, Allaah will be angry with him and will cause the people to be angry with him."
(Narrated Ibn al Mubaarik in az-Zuhd, Ibn Hibbaan in as-Saheeh 267, at-Tirmidhee in his sunan 4/610. The chain of narration of Ibn Hibbaan is good and it is an authentic Hadeeth)
Indeed the only reason Allaah will be pleased with the servant is when He loves him. Indeed Allaah loves the people of Tawheed (Monotheism), Ikhlaas (Sincerity), It-tibaa' (Following of the Prophet), Sidq (Truthfulness) and Taqwaa (Fear of Allaah). Allaah has said:
"Indeed the pious will be in the midst of gardens and rivers. In a seat of truth near the Omnipotent King." (Soorah al-Qamar 54-55)
The Awliyaa (friends) of Allaah are those who have piety. Allaah loves those who have piety. He loves those who are patient. He loves those who constantly turn to Him in repentance. He loves those who purify themselves. Based upon that the noble Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) stated:
"Indeed when Allaah loves a servant, He calls Jibreel. He says: Indeed I love so and so therefore love him. So Jibreel loves him. Then he (Jibreel) calls out in the heavens: Indeed Allaah loves so and so therefore love him too. So the inhabitants of the heavens love the servant. Then acceptance for him (amongst the people of righteousness) is placed on the earth. When Allaah hates a servant He callas Jibreel and says: Indeed I hate so and so, therefore hate him too. So Jibreel hates and then calls out in the heavens: Indeed Allaah hates so and so, therefore hate him too. So the inhabitants of the heavens hate him then hatred for him is placed in the earth."
(Bukhaari and Muslim with the wording of Muslim)
As a result of that which has been mentioned, whoever wants the love of Allaah to be a reality for him, then let him be sincere for the sake of Allaah in his actions. Also let him follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and traverse upon the guidance of the Messenger of Allaah."
Taken from Ma'ooqaat Fee Tawreeq Talabil'Ilm pg. 5-6 by Shaykh Usaamah al-Utaybee (may Allaah preserve him).
Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah
Brooklyn NYC USA
The 24th Night of Rabee' al-Awwal 1433 corresponding with the 15th of Feb 2012
