Whoever sought the pleasure of Allah though it was displeasing to the people then Allah becomes pleased with him, and will make the people please with him, and whoever sought the pleasure of the people though it was displeasing to Allah then Allah becomes displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him
Seeking the Acceptance of the People by displeasing Allah results in humiliation in this life and the next
من التمس رضى الله بسخط الناس رضي الله عنه وأرضى الناس عنه ومن التمس رضا الناس بسخط الله سخط الله عليه وأسخط عليه الناس
Whoever sought the pleasure of Allah though it was displeasing to the people then Allah becomes pleased with him, and will make the people please with him, and whoever sought the pleasure of the people though it was displeasing to Allah then Allah becomes displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him
(Ibn Hibban/ Tirmidhi)
Commentary
a. In the narration of Tirmidhi the narrator relates that Mu’awiya sent a letter to ‘Aisha asking her to advise him, and she wrote back saying she had heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying this.
b. The results of someone’s actions are in the Hands of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, who can bring the people against him or to him irrespective. So there is no use in seeking to please the people by going against Islam, or compromising, since in doing so will not ultimately please the people, and furthermore will earn the displeasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.
c. This narration also is reflected in the sunnah of all the Prophets, in when they called to their people, they were rejected. And through the seeking of the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, then Allah سبحانه وتعالى brought about the victory to those of them He chose.
d. The Islamic personality is a very distinct and straightforward one, because it has one basis for its viewpoint in life. Any decision, judgement or action will be based upon that viewpoint, which is the referring to the Quran and sunnah in seeking the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. In doing so, the believer will not pay any attention to the blame of the blamers, confident in that what he is calling to is the Truth, and patient upon what befalls him from the people, expectant of the victory of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.