Happiness is perhaps the most highly sought after goal in our life. Happiness is a habit. True happiness will never be achieved without enduring trials and tribulations. This is what Islam teaches us, through the Quran and the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad. 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
قُلْ يَا قَوْمِ اعْمَلُوا عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّي عَامِلٌ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن تَكُونُ لَهُ عَاقِبَةُ الدَّارِ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الظَّالِمُونَ
Say, “O my people! Work on your position. Indeed, I am a worker. And soon you will know who will have for himself (a good) home (in) the end. Indeed [he], (will) not succeed the wrongdoers.” (Surat Al-An`am 6:135)
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. If you desire peace, tranquillity, and comfort, you can find it all in the remembrance of God. Allah says
لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَا أَتَوا وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحْمَدُوا بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّهُم بِمَفَازَةٍ مِّنَ الْعَذَابِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
“(Do) not think (that) those who rejoice in what (they have) brought and they love that they are praised for what not they do – so (do) not think (that) they (will) escape from the punishment, and for them (is a) punishment painful.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:188)
Happiness 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.
Happiness is perhaps one of the most important things in life, the following the attainment of happiness:
- Happiness must also work upon enriching his or her soul
- Happiness should never indulge in worldly comparisons
- Happiness should develop a feeling of being grateful
- Happiness should be that of pleasing Allah Almighty
- Happiness establish peace and justice in society
- Happiness enjoins upon its believers in purifying
- Happiness always sets expectations with Allah
- Happiness fully engaged to live in the moment
- Happiness is a leading factor to direct the life
- Happiness can easily fight and resist stress
- Happiness encourages people to be generous
- Happiness is a deeper appreciation for your life
- Happiness brings your awareness and attention
- Happiness has more to do with the human mind
- Happiness comes to seeking the pleasure of Allah
- Happiness comes in the promotion of brotherhood
- Happiness is an easy-going attitude and avoids anger
- Happiness promises us that after every difficulty is a relief
- Happiness is the blessings of God and is thankful for them
- Happiness is that we as humans do a thing for pleasing others
Islam is the idea that to be happy or content we must be grateful to God, not just for what we perceive to be blessings but for all circumstances. 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. The key to happiness is acknowledging the power of Allah. Allah says:
لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آيَةٌ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ كُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ
“Certainly, (there) was for Saba in their dwelling place a sign: Two gardens on (the) right and (on the) left. “Eat from (the) provision (of) your Lord and be grateful to Him. A land good and a Lord Oft-Forgiving.” (Surah Saba` 34:15)
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. Indeed, with each difficulty, there is a relief. In Islam, everything revolves around the axis of God, including the goal in the mission of prophets and individuals’ goals of life. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا فِي اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
“And those who emigrated in (the way) (of) Allah after [what] they were wronged, surely We will give them posit in the world well, but surely the reward (of) the Hereafter (is) greater, if they know.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:41)
Ways to have a happier life according to Islam:
- Remembering Allah Much: Remembrance of Allah has a wonderful effect of bringing expansion and tranquillity to the heart and removing worry and grief from it.
- A Less Considered Blessing: Feeling happy in life is to be healthy. Many of us don’t even think about this blessing. When we lose it or find our physical strength not to be as before, then we realize how precious it was.
- Share your life with a lifelong companion: One of the places in which one can find his/her inner peace and feel happy and relaxed is the family. Talking to the spouse and sharing feelings can relieve the soul from everyday stresses and misfortunes.
- Visit your friends and relatives regularly: Seeing a familiar and friendly face is always heart-warming. So, it is a good idea to visit your relatives or invite them to your house, for example, once a week.
- Goodness brings goodness: Positivity and kindness act like a boomerang. You spread the goodness and in return, receive goodness. Usually, when we do a good thing, we feel better about ourselves, and that makes us happier with our life.
- Hearts Find Peace by the Remembrance of Allah: Another way to reach happiness and satisfaction is to talk to the creator of the world, the merciful Allah. Worshipping and praying Allah is always recommended in times of hardships.
- Forget the past: The past is gone forever. Today is all that you have. Life is short and passes quickly; don’t make it shorter by worrying.
- Spice up your life with fun: Balance your time between the activities that you do as your responsibility (e.g., your job, your housework, etc.) and the time that you need to rest and have fun. Allah says:
فَلَمَّا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ
“Then when came to them their Messengers with clear proofs they rejoiced in what they had of the knowledge, and enveloped them what they used to [at it] mock.” (Surah Ghafir 40:83)
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 Almighty says in The Holy Quran about happy life in Islam:
- “Certainly We have created man to be in toil.” (Surah Al-Balad: 90)
- “The wealth and children (are) adornment (of) the life (of) the world. But the enduring good deeds (are) better near your Lord (for) reward and better (for) hope.” (Al-Kahf 18:46)
- “And whoever turns away from My remembrance, then indeed, for him (is) a life straitened and We will gather him (on the) Day (of) the Resurrection blind.” (Ta-Ha 20:124 )
- “If you express gratitude, I shall certainly give you more, and if you are ungrateful, then My punishment is severe.” (Surah Ibrahim: 7)
- “Whoever does a good deed will be rewarded with better than it, and these will be secure against the fright of that Day.” (Quran, 27:89)
- “They know (the) apparent of the life (of) the world, but they, about the Hereafter, [they] (are) heedless.” (Ar-Rum 30:7)
- “Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I will remember you,” (Quran, 2:152)
Do not completely preoccupy yourself with the future and then discard the present. Be balanced in life, prepare yourself adequately for all situations. Do not be shaken by criticism; instead, be firm. Be sure that in proportion to your worth, the level of people’s criticism rises. Also, make good use of criticism in discovering your shortcomings and faults, and let it drive you toward self-improvement. 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)
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.