Faith is to develop a peaceful society

HAPPINESS IN ISLAM

Islam is the religion that is more than a religion; it is a religion that is a complete way of life.  Nothing is too small or too big to be covered by the teachings of Islam.  Rejoice and be happy, remain positive and be at peace. Every single one of God’s commandments aims to bring happiness to the individual. This applies in all aspects of life, worship, economics, and society. Allah says:

لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَىٰ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

“For them (are) the glad tidings in the life (of) the world and in the Hereafter. (There can be) no change in the Words of Allah. That is the success the great.” (Surah Yunus 10:64)

To reach true happiness, we need to know what is the purpose of our life, how to reach success in the hereafter, and to fulfil the requirements of reaching this success by following the commands of God and His true religion. Allah says:

وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

“And if Allah touches you with affliction then no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good, then He (is) on everything All-Powerful.” (Surah Al-An`am 6:17)

Happiness is basically a mental state of well being characterized by pleasant emotions which are ranging from satisfaction to extreme comfort. As human beings, we desire the inner peace of heart and happiness in our lives. As most of us have come to realize, happiness is that ethereal quality that encompasses contentment and peacefulness; it is the soft joy that causes our lips, faces, and hearts to smile. Happiness is the only goal on earth that all people without exception are seeking to attain.  Believers and unbelievers alike seek to be happy. Allah says:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَآبٍ

”Those who believed and did righteous deeds, blessedness (is) for them and a beautiful place of return.” (Surah Ar-Ra`d 13:29)

Happiness is defined as good luck, good fortune, prosperity,  an agreeable feeling or condition of the soul arising from good fortune or the propitious happening of any kind; the possession of those circumstances or that state of being which is attended enjoyment; the state of being happy. Human beings look for what they think of as happiness in thrills and chills, in things and events, in instant gratification. Surely, this type of thing is fun, but it’s transitory.  To be truly happy – contented, at peace with oneself – one must be true to oneself, honest with those around.  One must treat other people fairly.

True happiness is contentment, and this is only attained through activities that are not fleeting:

  1. “Men of knowledge” are praised throughout the Quran
  2. Choose friends that are spiritual, positive proactive
  3. Nourish your mind with positive information daily
  4. Seeking knowledge is essential for every Muslim
  5. Mental health is essential to happiness in Islam
  6. Make an effort to see and feel the joy in our life
  7. Our belief in Allah is a source of happiness
  8. The Quran injunction to seek knowledge
  9. Things to let go If you want to be happy
  10. Seek joy, be grateful, and smile always
  11. Seek, with what Allah has given you
  12. Be grateful to Allah Almighty 
  13. Live according to the rules of Islam
  14. Every human life is sacred in Islam 
  15. Do the best works for the sake of God
  16. Do you try to bend people to your way
  17. The pleasure of Allah should be our goal
  18. Muslims honour and respect all religion
  19. The believers will not face the same afterlife 
  20. Help people around and make their life easier
  21. Glorious Qur’an condemns the killing of people
  22. The pious will not be treated the same as sinners
  23. Find a reason to rejoice every single day of your life

The concept of happiness in Islam is expressed in the Qur’ân and Sunnah in several different ways. This “good life” is happiness itself. It is expressed through faith and good deeds and actions. This does not mean that we will not face difficulties in our ‘good life. Our worldly lives even when they are boosted by faith and good works are never free from distress and anxiety, but then as Muslims, it’s something that perhaps we should expect first, we find the Qur’ân discussing the “good life”.

The following are tips for the attainment of happiness:

  1. You should know with certainty that everything that happens, occurs by the divine decree.
  2. If you desire peace, tranquillity, and comfort, you can find it all in the remembrance of God.
  3. Relief comes from one hour to the next.  Indeed, with each difficulty, there is a relief.
  4. Calamities should strengthen your heart and positively reshape your outlook.
  5. Forget the past and all that it contained, focus on the present.
  6. Everything that is decreed for the believer is the best for him.
  7. Enumerate the blessings of God and be thankful for them.
  8. Remember that you are better off than many others.
  9. Do not let trivialities be the cause of your destruction.
  10. Do not expect gratitude from anyone.
  11. Assume an easy-going attitude and avoid anger.
  12. Always remember that your God is Oft-Forgiving.
  13. Train yourself to be prepared for the worst possibility.
  14. A daunting evil that seemingly will happen usually never occurs.
  15. Look at those who have more afflictions and be grateful that you have less.
  16. Life is bread, water, and shade; so do not be perturbed by a lack of any other material thing.
  17. Bear in mind the fact that God loves those who endure trials with steadfastness, so seek to be one of them.
  18. Do not spread rumours and do not listen to them.  If you hear a rumour inadvertently, do not believe it.

Know that if you do not live within the scope of today, your thoughts will be scattered, your affairs will become confused, and your anxiety will increase:

  • Seek the Pleasure of Allah: Nothing can make us happier than seeking the pleasure of Allah.
  • Avoid Worldly comparisons: Do not admire the lives of celebrities and rich people their lives are not ideal in the eyes of Allah.
  • Serve and maintain relations with others: Prophet Muhammad (SAW) strongly advised us to keep ties with family, strong relations with friends and relatives and also taught us the etiquette of social relations.
  • Be Thankful to Allah Almighty: We should be thankful to Allah for everything. The more we are thankful to Allah the more Allah (SWT) will be happy and He will shower His bounties on us. Thanking Allah Almighty is indeed an act of worship. 

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

  • “Certainly We have created man to be in toil.” (Surah Al-Balad: 90)
  • “And in the heaven is your providence and that which you are promised.” (Quran 51:22)
  • “You who believe, be steadfast, more steadfast than others; be ready; always be mindful of God so that you may prosper.” (Quran 3:200)
  • “Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, to try him: so We gave him (the gifts) of hearing and sight.” (Quran 76: 2)
  • “But We shall be sure to guide to Our ways those who strive hard for Our cause: God is with those who do good.” (Quran 29:69)
  • “So peace is upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I shall be raised to life (again).” (Quran, 19:33)
  • “And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless, verily! My Punishment is indeed severe.” (Quran, 14: 7)

The real source of happiness is inner peace. If our mind is peaceful, we shall be happy all the time, regardless of external conditions, but if it is disturbed or troubled in any way, we shall never be happy, no matter how good our external conditions may be Allah also talks of contentment of the heart. Allah says:

فَوَقَاهُمُ اللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٰلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّاهُمْ نَضْرَةً وَسُرُورًا

“But will protect them Allah (from the) evil (of) that Day and will cause them to meet radiance and happiness.” (Surah Al-Insan 76:11 )

If one wants true and lasting happiness one needs to develop and maintain  “inner peace”. The only way we can do this is by training our mind and body through spiritual practice. This type of happiness does not last longer and sooner or later will vanish because it relies on external events and objects which are constantly changing. A few examples are poor and rich, love and hate, young and old, etc.

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