Seek Allah's pleasure over people's approval
“Our deen teaches us that we are to seek the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and not the pleasure of people.”
External validation is a natural human need but becomes spiritually and psychologically harmful when it controls our identity, values, and worship, so believers should seek Allah's pleasure rather than people's approval.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Introduces external validation as a widespread modern affliction.
- Distinguishes healthy encouragement from making praise the goal.
- Shows how riya enters worship, social media, silence around wrongdoing, and young people's mental health.
- Uses Quranic warnings and hadith to frame showing off as a spiritual danger and sincere Allah-seeking as the path to true acceptance.
- Offers three remedies: admit weaknesses to Allah, accept that pleasing everyone is impossible, and ask what Allah wants first.
In the khateeb's words
“The pursuit of wanting to be and needing to be validated by others in everything that we do.”
“And so our deen teaches us that we are to seek the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and not the pleasure of people.”
“The best way to find that is to go to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Don't seek anything from anyone.”
“And so the first step, dear brothers and sisters, is that we have to be conscious and aware of our own selves and our own weaknesses and admit that in front of Allah.”
For the dinner table
Wanting encouragement is part of being human, but it becomes unhealthy when other people's approval controls our identity, values, or worship. The khutbah reminds us that our deepest goal should be Allah's pleasure, not likes, praise, or being seen as impressive. Showing off can quietly enter prayer, religious posts, and even our willingness to speak up for what is right. To resist it, we should admit our weaknesses to Allah, accept that no one can please everyone, and ask what Allah wants before trying to meet every demand. When our priorities are ordered around Allah, our relationships with family and community can become healthier too.
- When does encouragement help us, and when can it start controlling us?
- What might it mean to ask what Allah wants before trying to please everyone?
- How can we share something good without depending on likes or praise?
The masjid
More on Character & conduct
The strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.10:16Masjid Al-Noor · Waterloo, IA · Oct 31, 2026Control anger before it causes harm
Peer pressure is an issue that is just as applicable to adults as it is to children.5:08The Rayyan Center · Plymouth, MI · Oct 31, 2026Adults must choose their influences
Lowering your gaze is cleaner to your heart and fulfilling the amanah that Allah gave you.1:03:23Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA · Oct 30, 2026Every trust from Allah must be honored