Happiness is Not Restricted to Material Things


From an Islamic viewpoint, happiness is not restricted to material prosperity, though material reasons make up some of the elements of happiness. The material aspect is merely a means, but not the end in itself. Thus, the focus in attaining happiness is on nonmaterial, more abstract concerns, like the positive effects of good behavior. Allah says:

- And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them there is warm clothing and numerous benefits, and from them you eat. There is beauty in them for you when you bring them home in the evening and when you lead them to pasture in the morning.

- Say (O Muhammad): “Who has forbidden the adornment given by Allah that He has brought forth for his servants, and the good things of sustenance?” Say: “They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, and exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection.”

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Among the things that can bring happiness to the son of Adam are a pious wife, a good home, and a good means of transport.”



Islam Ensures Eternal Happiness for Humanity

Islam comes with a complete way of life. It provides rules and procedures to prepare a person for life in both this world and the next. In this way, Islam ensures a person’s well being in this world as well as in the life to come. Islam comes to protect the highest needs of man: life, reason, wealth, lineage, and faith.



Happiness, from an Islamic perspective, occurs on two levels:


1. Worldly happiness: Islamic Law lays down a number of injunctions and regulations to guarantee man’s happiness during his worldly life, which is his first life. At the same time, Islam emphasizes that the life of this world is nothing more than a means of attaining the Hereafter, which is the true life that we all must strive to attain. Allah says:

- Whoever works righteousness as a believer, whether male or female, We will give a good life.

- Seek, with what Allah has given you, the abode of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share of this world.

- Little are the enjoyments of the life of this world as compared to the Hereafter.

2. Eternal happiness: This is the true, lasting happiness. This happiness depends on the righteousness of the individual in his worldly life. Allah says:

- Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state, to them the angels will say: ‘Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise because of that which you used to do.

- For those who do good in this world, there is good, and the abode of the Hereafter will be better; and excellent indeed will be the abode of the pious.