The Fourteenth Type: Loving Praise and Hating Censure

They are two types of loving the life of this world. Know that the loss, failure, and doom of most of people is because of being afraid of the censure of the people and intending to have their praises, so they made all of their moves and stillness in accordance with what satisfies the people and to accrue their praises—intending to get the praise and escaping from the censure. This is considered from amongst the great sins that lead to hell. May Allah save us from it and may he grant us refuge from His withdrawal of support!

The soul should be treated to eliminate this bad manner. For example, the praised one should remember that if the praised description was mundane then it is like a mirage in a desert. However, if it was religious, then he should not be happy because of it because the end is unknown. Therefore, fearing the evil end makes the one too preoccupied to be happy.

Regarding the censure in case of the dispraiser was honest and sincere to you, then you have to consider this censure as a piece of advice to you, and you have to thank him for it. But if he was a liar, then he only considered that he harmed himself, and this shall be consider a reason that causes some of your sins to be forgiven, if you were patient. Therefore, in fact, a benefit has occurred to you from his side, and then you may not be sad because of it.