How do I please my Lord?

Whoever desires God's pleasure must strive to do what God loves and avoid what displeases Him. This is achieved by believing in Him, obeying His commands, and avoiding His prohibitions with sincerity and adherence to the Sunnah of His Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and by loving and hating for the sake of God.

The sacred texts have clarified what God loves and dislikes in His servants. He is pleased with the grateful believers who show loyalty and enmity for His sake. He loves those who repent, the pure, the pious, the benevolent, the just, those who put their trust in Him, the patient, and those who follow the Messenger. He does not love disbelievers, oppressors, aggressors, mischief-makers, arrogant ones, traitors, extravagant ones, or those who rejoice (in worldly things). Nor does He love the proud and boastful, nor the treacherous sinners.

Among the deeds that Almighty God and His Messenger love are: the pious, wealthy, and humble servant; having one's tongue moist with the remembrance of God; gentleness in all matters; leniency in buying, selling, and judging; worshipping God alone and not associating partners with Him; holding fast to the rope of God; advising the ruler; noble character; being the most beneficial of people to others; bringing joy to a Muslim; relieving his distress; paying off his debt; and feeding the hungry.

Among the deeds He dislikes are: gossip, excessive questioning, wasting money, ignoble character, indecency in speech, and for a person to be arrogant, boastful, loud in the marketplaces, a carcass by night, a donkey by day, knowledgeable of the world yet ignorant of the Hereafter.