Sacrificing something to seek Allah's pleasure

Sometimes, there are things in our lives that we love dearly but are not in accordance with Allah’s pleasure. This could be a habit, a person, a lifestyle, or even a thought. In such moments, the greatest test is to prioritize Allah’s pleasure above everything else, even if it is difficult for our nafs (self). The stories of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) being willing to sacrifice his son for Allah and Prophet Yusuf (AS) choosing prison over falling into sin show us that nothing given up for Allah is ever lost. On the contrary, our Lord grants something better in return.

Nothing sacrificed for the sake of Allah is truly lost. Even if we do not realize it at the moment, when we look back, we see that it has become a reason for gratitude. Because when we earn His pleasure, we gain the blessings of both this world and the Hereafter. Our Lord never leaves those who make sacrifices for Him empty-handed. The important thing is to attach our hearts not to this world, but to Allah. If necessary, we must even be willing to give up parts of ourselves to gain His love, mercy, and pleasure. Because as we draw closer to Allah, He approaches us with His mercy.

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If I were to give an example from my own life, I gave up music for the sake of Allah. It might sound simple, but for me, it was an addiction. I used to listen to music all the time—on the road, at home, while exercising. I would carefully curate playlists and always have music playing. After quitting music for the sake of Allah, I thought it would become easier over time, but it wasn’t. Instead, I started listening to the Qur’an, nasheeds, and podcasts. There are still moments when I deeply miss listening to music.

When we give up something for Allah, the desire to return to it can arise. For seven months, I didn’t listen to any music and did my best to resist it. People often say that quitting smoking should be done gradually, but for me, music wasn’t like that. I had to cut it off completely. During that time, I felt a great sense of spiritual elevation: “I’m going to become a new person; I will be different now. I will also support those I care about in this journey.” But this thought was too idealistic. Because I couldn't force anyone to change with me. Everyone’s journey, progress, and heart are different.

I knew that music affected faith, but I only truly realized it after I stopped listening to it. Once I quit, my acts of worship became lighter, and my faith felt more balanced. There had been a weight on me that I hadn't noticed before, and I only realized it once it was gone. That’s why, sometimes, we need to distance ourselves from certain things to understand how they impact us.

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Today, many people face similar trials in different areas. For me, it was music, but for others, it might be appearance, dressing fashionably, or keeping up with trends. Especially Muslim youth, particularly girls, feel immense pressure to follow fashion and always look good.

But this is actually a form of manipulation. All these things provide temporary happiness, but they don’t truly satisfy our souls in the long run. That’s why we constantly seek more. However, Islam is a religion that aligns with human nature. It does not command anything that goes against our soul and innate disposition. Yet, it also does not allow desires to control us. Otherwise, everything would spiral out of control, and people would be dragged by their nafs.

What makes a person strong is a mind that can resist the desires of the nafs. It is the willpower to choose what is truly good rather than what simply feels good. Because what feels good is not always good.

For example, eating too much junk food might feel good at the moment, but it is not healthy. On the other hand, exercising, especially after a long break, can feel difficult at first and may not bring immediate pleasure, but it is actually beneficial. Life is just like that. Sometimes, the things that are truly good for us don’t feel good right away. But in the long run, they are what truly benefit us.

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In summary, giving up something for the sake of Allah is not just about abandoning a habit; it is about filling that void by drawing closer to Him. If we persist with patience, our Lord will never leave our sacrifices unrewarded. May Allah grant all of us the strength to let go for His sake, even when it is difficult for our nafs.