Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Indeed (among) the most beloved of actions to Allah Ta‘ala after fulfilling the faraa-idh (obligatory acts of Deen) is bringing happiness to a Muslim.” (Al-Mu’jamul Kabeer and Al-Mu’jamul Awsat – Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #13740)
Bringing happiness to a Muslim is an act of ‘ibaadah that is easy to fulfil yet earns immense rewards. In trying to bring happiness to a person, we should never consider any deed to be small and insignificant. Whether it is sharing something like a chocolate or a simple meal, or lending the neighbour flour and eggs in their hour of need, these seemingly mundane actions, when carried out with the correct intention, bring abundant rewards.
When the purpose is to please the person, then we should do what will please him and what he will be comfortable with, not what will please us and make us comfortable. For example, if you wish to invite a certain person for supper and you know that he prefers to eat after Maghrib, then serve the meal after Maghrib as this will make him comfortable and happy. Do not serve it after ‘Esha to suit yourself at the expense of his comfort. After all, the goal is to bring him happiness for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala.
One of the most important ways of making people happy is to ensure that we do not cause them any inconvenience – intentionally or unintentionally. We should always make an effort to ensure that others are not harmed because of us.
It is very important and very rewarding to make people happy. However, it is even more important to please Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, we cannot please people at the price of displeasing Allah Ta‘ala. For example, if we are invited to a family gathering where men and women will intermingle, then the priority will be to please Allah Ta‘ala by not attending, even if the family members will be unhappy.