[2] Unwinnable Battles

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

One must know that neither is it conceivable to the intellect (i.e. sound intellect) nor (plausible) in the religion to seek the pleasure of the creation [i.e. mankind and Jinn] due to two affairs: First, Imam Ash-Shafi’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: The people are an unattainable goal”. Therefore, it is obligated on you to (pursue) that which would rectify your affairs and adhere to it; abandon its opposite and do not concern (yourself) with it. Second, indeed, we have been commanded to (seek) the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger, as Allah, The Most High, said:

وَٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَحَقُّ أَن يُرْضُوهُ إِن كَانُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ

But it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), if they are believers.[at-Tawbah. 62]

It is obligated to us to fear Allah and not fear anyone except Allah, as Allah, The Most High, said:

فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers. [Aal Imran. 175]

Allah said:

فَلَا تَخْشَوُا۟ ٱلنَّاسَ وَٱخْشَوْنِ

Therefore fear not men but fear Me. [Al-Ma’idah. 44]

Allah said:

فَإِيَّٰىَ فَٱرْهَبُونِ

Then, fear Me (Allah) much [and Me (Alone), i.e. be away from all kinds of sins and evil deeds that Allah has forbidden and do all that Allah has ordained and worship none but Allah. [An-Nahl. 51]

Allah said:

وَإِيَّٰىَ فَٱتَّقُونِ

And fear Me and Me Alone. [Al-Baqarah. 41]

It is obligated to us to fear Allah – fear Allah concerning the (rights) of the people- neither harm them with our hearts (i.e. blameworthy hatred, malice etc) nor with our limbs (i.e. physical harm); fulfil their rights with our hearts and limbs (i.e. wish them good, love for them what we love for ourselves, physically do what will benefit them etc), but do not fear them and leave what Allah and His Messenger commanded. The one who adheres to this path will (reach) the (praiseworthy) outcomes, just as Aa’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, wrote to Mu’aawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, and said, “To proceed: Indeed, whoever seeks the pleasure of the people at the expense of Allah’s displeasure will (earn) Allah’s displeasure and Allah will cause the people to be displeased with him. And the praise of the people will become blame against him. And whoever seeks Allah’s Pleasure at the expense of people’s displeasure, will (earn) Allah’s Pleasure and Allah will cause the people to be pleased with him”.

Therefore, a person’s concern and intention should be nothing else but to (seek) the Pleasure of Allah and to avoid Allah’s displeasure, and there is no power or might except with Allah.

An Excerpt from Majmu Al-Fatawa 3/233