Happiness is a feeling that resides in the heart. It is characterized by peace of mind, tranquillity, a sense of well-being, and a relaxed disposition. It comes as a result of proper behaviour, both inward and outward, and is inspired by strong faith. Money cannot buy happiness. Happiness is in the good life mentioned in this verse, that even the rich disbelievers cannot find, despite the money they have. That is why we are not surprised when we know that many of them committed suicide. Allah (SWT) has said:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“Whoever does righteous deeds whether male or female while he (is) a believer, then surely We will give him l a life good, and We will pay them their reward to (the) best of what they used (to) do.” (Surah 16. An-Nahl)
Happiness not only leaves us with a positive feeling in the centre of our being, but people tend to stay ‘happy’ also. 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 Allah (SWT) and His true religion.
Someone wise once said, ‘Happiness is the goal of all goals:
- Enjoy their work a lot more
- Spread goodwill and cheer
- Accomplish a lot
- Suffer from less anxiety and tension
- Can make creative contributions to their projects and the society
- Lead more fulfilled lives without heeding the rat race around them
- Make the world a much better place with their sunny temperaments and easy smiles
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)
Compare these desirable states with the mindset of an individual mired in negativity. You’ll find that they:
- Complain very often – leaving everyone around them dissatisfied
- Rarely get anything done.
- Creative drive is sub-zero.
- Have poor health and get stressed easily
So how does one become happy?
Some of the latest psychological findings suggest happiness is the effect of behaviours we choose to make a part of our lives. By adopting these behaviours, happiness becomes a natural state we live in. It is truly reassuring to see how the Holy Quran advocates these principles. Here are some principles from the Qur’an that will help you lead a life of lasting Happiness.
- Be Grateful: Whatever we concentrate on becomes our reality.
- Be Charitable: Contrary to popular beliefs, Money can buy happiness. The way to experience that high is by giving to others in need. Research shows that giving out of a sense of charity not only benefits the receiver but also the giver.
- Nurture Social Relationships: God has created man as a social creature; therefore maintaining social relationships is important for maintaining mental equilibrium.
- Learn to Forgive: Real forgiveness takes place when we let go of any resentment and feel peace in our hearts.
- Trust in God to cope with difficulties: At times we encounter difficulties in life that don’t make any sense, and we begin to question God & his wisdom.
- Spend time Prayer & Meditation: Remembrance of God is not just thinking of Him with our minds but remembering him with our hearts.
- Work for a Higher Purpose & Goal: Part of being happy is having a higher purpose.
- Sound Belief – Belief in Allah and His perfect attributes would deeply influence the Muslim’s character and his whole outlook on life. It brings him to acquire good qualities and aim for human perfection.
- Worship and Devotion to Allah:
- Goodness and Kindness to Others:
- Renunciation of Too Long Term Hopes and Grieves of the Past:
- The building of better understanding:
- Access to happiness can also be obtained:
- Stability of the human Personality: Be moderate in all that you do
- Repentance purifies: Rectify your mistakes with repentance rather than dwell on them and feel badly
- To form a happy social life: Choosing a spouse, friends, and companions wisely.
- Strong will: Ability to persist through the challenges and hurdles of life.
It is difficult to let go of deeply personal behaviours which we may have carried around since early childhood. Change can’t come in a day and neither will it be easy. But if you start right away, by making the smallest commitment to leading a better, happier life, the rest of the road will not be rocky.
We should be happy and content always, with whatever we have and not be greedy, because of the following reasons (Wise Old Sayings): Money can’t Buy Happiness
- MONEY can buy paintings, but not the artistry
- MONEY can buy companions, but not friends
- MONEY can buy finery, but not real beauty
- MONEY can buy medicine, but not health
- MONEY can buy a bed, but not sleep
- MONEY can buy marriage, but not love
- MONEY can buy a house, but not a home
- MONEY can buy luxuries, but not culture
- MONEY can buy anything, but not heaven
- MONEY can buy a tombstone, but not death
- MONEY can buy clothes, but not personality
- MONEY can buy everything, but not dignity and respect
Meaning of Happiness in Islam: Happiness is a feeling that resides in the heart. Happiness is characterized by peace of mind, tranquillity, a sense of well-being, and a relaxed disposition.
“Take one step towards me, I will take ten steps towards you. Walk towards me, I will run towards you.” Hadith Qudsi.
Happiness comes as a result of proper behaviour, both inward and outward, and is inspired by strong faith. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “True enrichment does not come through possessing a lot of wealth, but true enrichment is the enrichment of the soul.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
- “Surely they who believe and do good deeds and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate they shall have their reward from their Lord, and they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Quran 2:277)
- “And let not those of you who possess grace and abundance swear against giving to the near of kin and the poor and those who have fled in Allah’s way, and they should forgive and turn away. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 24:22)
- “O, you men! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honourable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah is Knowing, Aware.” (Quran 49:13)
- “Nothing will afflict us save what Allah has ordained for us; He is our Patron; And in Allah let the believers put their trust.” (Quran 9:51)
- “Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.” (Quran 6: 162).
- “And when your Lord made it known: If you are grateful, I would certainly give you more.” (Quran 14:7)
It is the nature of every person to seek happiness. One of the most elusive objectives of every human being is “Happiness.” The Noble Qur’an reveals the secret of attaining perfect happiness in this life and forever. We learn from the Noble Qur’an that happiness is an exclusive quality of the soul. Allah says:
قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
“Say, “Shall I inform you of better than that. For those who consciously revere[d], with their Lord, (are) Gardens flows from underneath them [the] rivers – abiding forever in it, and spouses pure and approval from Allah. And Allah (is) All-Seer of (His) slaves.” (Surah Al Imran 3:15)
Thus, a body that attains all the material successes it longs for – money, power, fame, etc. – often belongs to an unhappy person. Happiness depends totally on the degree of growth and development attained by the soul, the real person. Allah says:
مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ بَاقٍ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“Whatever (is) with you will be exhausted, and whatever (is) with Allah (will) be remaining. And surely We will pay those who (are) patient their reward to (the) best (of) what they used (to) do.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:96)
The Noble Qur’an provides a detailed map towards perfect happiness for both body and soul, both in this world and in the eternal Hereafter. Take the first step! And God will be with you making sure you have the power to continue. True believers in Allah, who have a sound belief that gives rise to righteous deeds, mend the heart and corrects the human behaviour, and makes good both this world and the Hereafter. These people know how to deal with situations of happiness and joy and situations of anxiety, sorrow, and grief.
