There are numerous how-to guides available that tell different guidelines to people by following which they could achieve happiness. Some of these guides tell us to change our lifestyle, while others focus on changing our mentality and the way we approach life. Regardless of whatever method we chose in the pursuit of happiness, the achievement of it is still relative and one method cannot guarantee the achievement of happiness by all those who follow it. Allah says:
وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا مَاذَا أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ قَالُوا خَيْرًا لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ الْمُتَّقِينَ
“And it will be said to those who consciously revere Allah, “What has your Lord sent down?” They will say, “Good.” For those who do good in this world (is) a good, and the home of the Hereafter (is) better. And surely excellent (is) the home (of) the righteous.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:30)
Every one of us constructs his or her version of happiness. Therefore, above everything, happiness is a mental construct and if the mind of a person can create happiness then the most adverse of the situations can bring joy. On the contrary, if the mind of a person is unable to construct happiness, then all the glory and material of this world cannot bring happiness to a person. Allah says:
مَن كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِأَنفُسِهِمْ يَمْهَدُونَ
“Whoever disbelieves, then against him (is) his disbelief. And whoever does righteousness, then for themselves they are preparing,” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:44)
The achievement of happiness is comparatively an easy thing for a Muslim because in the form of Islam Allah Almighty has given the perfect code of life to a Muslim by practising which a Muslim can achieve happiness in this life and eternal happiness of the life hereafter.
Islamic way of life, key principles of life according to Islam:
- Happy life has no schisms between human beings
- Happy life enjoins upon its believers in purifying
- Happy life establish peace and justice in society
- Happy life encourages people to be generous
- Happy life forbids hateful words and actions
- Happy life to see and feel the joy in our life
- Happy life engaging in creative activities
- Happy life find your work-life balance
- Happy life focus on building a career
- Happy life has infinite value for all
- Happy life support to good people
- Happiness has the sanctity of human life
- A happy life comes from a genetic setpoint
- Happy has more to do with the human mind
- Happy life has the dignity of all human being
- Happy life commands love, mercy, and peace
- A happy life is a leading factor to direct the life
- Happy is instrumental to get rid of the hardships
- A happy life is a deeper appreciation for your life
- A happy life is an easy-going attitude and avoids anger
One cannot expect to remain happy or achieve happiness whilst one is on the path of evil and always produces harm for other people. Rather, the strange thing with happiness is that sometimes it spurs by making others happy. The kind of satisfaction that helping another person or making the life of someone easy brings cannot be bought by all the money and all the professional success. Allah says:
مَن جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهَا وَهُم مِّن فَزَعٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ آمِنُونَ
“Whoever comes with the good, then for him (will be) better than it, and they, from (the) terror (of) that Day (will be) safe.” (Surah An-Naml, 27:89)
Sometimes, to achieve happiness, people attempt to follow complicated paths; they fail to see the easier path that is Islam. Happiness can be found in the solace that comes from being upon the truth. It can be achieved by sincere worship, hastening to do virtuous, noble and beautiful deeds, and by performing acts of kindness or giving charity. Allah says:
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
“Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good and save us from the torment of the Fire!” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201)
These things all have the potential to make us happy, every day, under any circumstances. Even giving the smallest charity, to please God, can bring a smile to your face and a feeling of joy to your heart. Therefore, to achieve happiness, a Muslim needs to do good and be kind towards others and spread this message of kindness and goodness wherever he or she goes.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “And consult them in the matter.” (Quran 3:159)
- “Is the reward for excellence (Ihsan) [anything] but excellence (Ihsan).” (Quran 10:26)
- “Seek the life to come using what God has granted you, but do not neglect your rightful share in this world. Do good to others as God has done well to you.” (Quran 28:77)
- “You who believe, be steadfast, more steadfast than others; be ready; always be mindful of God so that you may prosper.” (Quran 3:200)
- “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)
- “Verily! I am Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me.” (Quran 20:14)
Islam has the answer to all the problems that afflict humankind and knowing this leads to happiness because it allows us to look beyond the need for self-gratification, and the need to acquire possessions. Following the teaching of Islam and striving to please God is a constant reminder that this life is but a transient pause on the way to life everlasting. Allah says:
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ آبَائِكُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
“(There is) no god except Him; He gives life and causes death, your Lord and (the) Lord (of) your fathers the former.” (Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:8)
In the Quran, there are instructions for a Muslim. These instructions are not limited to a certain aspect of life, rather the instructions comprise all areas of life whether it is spirituality, social life, political concepts, law, or ethical values. The achievement of happiness is comparatively an easy thing for a Muslim because in the form of Islam Allah Almighty has given the perfect code of life to a Muslim by practising which a Muslim can achieve happiness in this life and eternal happiness of the life hereafter. Allah says:
لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“For Him (is the) dominion (of) the heavens and the earth, He gives life and causes death, and He (is) over all things All-Powerful.” (Surah Al-Hadid 57:2)
Perfect happiness will only be available to us if we spend life everlasting in Paradise. It is only there that we will find total peace, tranquillity, and security. It is only there that we will be free of the fear, anxiety, and pain that are part of the human condition. However, the guidelines provided by Islam allow us, imperfect humans, to seek happiness in this world. The key to being happy in this world and the next is seeking the pleasure of God, and worshipping Him, without associating partners with Him.
