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. This is what Islam teaches us, through the Quran and the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him. 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:

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 An-Nahl 16:97)

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. It is determined by faith in God and obedience to Him. Thus happiness embodies peace security and submission that is Islam. Our righteous predecessors understood the inherent happiness and joy to be found in striving to be close to God. Allah says:

وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ وَتَثْبِيتًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍ بِرَبْوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌ فَآتَتْ أُكُلَهَا ضِعْفَيْنِ فَإِن لَّمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

“And (the) example (of) those who spend their wealth seeking (the) pleasure (of) Allah, and certainty from their (inner) souls, (is) like a garden on a height, fell on it heavy rain so it yielded its harvest double. Then if (does) not fall (on) it heavy rain, then a drizzle. And Allah of what you do (is) All-Seer.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:265)

The injunctions and regulations of Islam reinforce the happiness that comes from knowing God and they help to guarantee humankind’s happiness during life in this world. However, Islam also emphasizes that the life of this world is nothing more than a means of attaining the Hereafter. By following the guidelines of Islam it is possible to be happy while awaiting our eternal happiness. Allah says:

اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

“Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and establish the prayer. Indeed, the prayer prevents immorality and evil deeds, and surely (the) remembrance (of) Allah (is) greatest. And Allah knows what you do.” (Surah Al-`Ankabut 29:45)

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.

Happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states, here are some important reasons:

1. Muslims should never indulge in worldly comparisons
2. Muslims should develop a feeling of being grateful
3. Muslim should be that of pleasing Allah Almighty
4. Muslim must also work upon enriching his soul
5. The key to happiness in the certainty of Faith
6. Muslims must try to work on physical fitness
7. Muslims always sets expectations with Allah
8. Muslims can easily fight and resist stress
9. The key happiness to connect with God
10. The key happiness to projecting family
11. The key happiness away from tension
12. The key to happiness with the Quran
13. The key to happiness away from sin
14. Understanding the meaning of life
15. Don’t expect from others
16. The key happiness of believing in God
17. The real happiness comes from the soul
18. The Day of Judgment and God’s Justice
19. The key happiness to a sense of belonging
20. After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief
21. The Belief in Allah and Ethical Responsibility
22. The key to happiness Believing in the hereafter
23. Positive Psychology is the science of wellbeing
24. Allah promises us that after every difficulty is a relief
25. If good befalls him, he is grateful and that is good for him
26. Boost the stress and keep a person from enjoying happiness
27. Losing hope in Allah’s mercy is likened to disbelieving in Allah
28. Happiness is that we as humans do a thing for pleasing others
29. Striving for pleasure is far better than striving for worldly pleasures
30. Listening to the Quran in heart touching recitation brings happiness

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.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

• “Certainly We have created man to be in toil.” (Sûrah al-Balad: 90)
• “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)
• “Those whom Allah wills to guide, He opens their breast to Islam; those whom He wills to leave straying, He makes their breast close and constricted as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus does Allah (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe.” (Surah al-An`âm: 125)
•  “Those who believe, and whose hearts find contentment in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find contentment.” (Surah al-Ra`d: 28)
• “But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’an nor acts on its teachings) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him blind on the Day of Resurrection.” (Quran 20: 124)
• “Whosoever does right, whether male or female, and is a believer, we shall make them live a good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.” (Surah al-Nahl: 97)

Every human is in pursuit of happiness, whether it be a child, an adult, a Muslim or a non-Muslim, and this is a fact. To achieve this true happiness, one must comprehend what this emotion is. Happiness is ‘feeling, causing, or giving pleasure’ and it is being ‘satisfied’ according to the Oxford dictionary. 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 l-Baqarah 2:201)

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. Socially and ethically, Islam emphasizes the equality of all persons before the law and the equality of all humans in origin since all humans belong to the same father, Adam, may Allah exalt his mention. Islam emphasizes fraternity and mercy as two major qualities of good believers.