:sl:
A happy life is undoubtedly the primary object of every human being, although people differ over what constitutes happiness. Some assume it is found in accumulating wealth, others in having good health, security and stability, others in enjoyment of a spacious dwelling, good food and a pleasing spouse, others in obtaining lawful provision and beneficial knowledge and others in true faith and the performance of good deeds.
In reality, all of these things contribute to happiness, which is of two types: the temporary worldly happiness that is limited to a person’s lifespan and the eternal everlasting happiness of the hereafter. It is no secret that happiness in this life is gained when one exerts oneself toward the hereafter, and that complete happiness in this world and the next is reserved for believers who work for the acceptance of Allah, as He confirmed in the Qur’an.
The key idea is that happiness is not something ‘out there’ that you pursue, pursue and keep on pursuing – that is the materialist version of happiness. For example, “If only I get this job, that house, this car…
Islam teaches us that happiness emerges from the right kind of pursuit like exerting oneself for the sake of the hereafter, and working toward submission to, and acceptance of, Allah. The happiness thereby gained is not something ‘out there’ to be pursued, but ‘in here’ in the heart of the believer:
(Peace of mind, contentment and the elimination of anxiety and distress is something sought by everyone, for this is what comprises a good life and produces pleasure and happiness. Toward such an end people apply various means of both a physical and mental nature. The best use of those means is made by believers, while others, although they might realise some of their desires, inevitably miss out on the better and more lasting aspects.)
Only the believer’s peace of mind can endure, for each of us is sure to lose the things of the Dunya whether sooner or later. Those who tried to find happiness in those things alone will witness whatever satisfaction they achieved perish as they leave this world. Allah offers a clear warning in the Qur’an: “The lust for piling up things of this world diverts you, until you come to the graves.” (102:1-2)
The most basic and fundamental causes of happiness are faith and righteous deeds. Allah, the Exalted, declared in the Qur’an: “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – we will surely cause him to live a good life and w will surely give reward according to the best of what they used to do.” (16:97). This is a promise to those who combine faith and good works of a good life upon the earth and a good reward in this life as well as the eternal one to come. The reason is obvious, for believers with true faith who perform righteous deeds, who amend hearts and correct morals, who make good life of this world and the hereafter, have principles with which they meet all occasions of anxiety, distress and grief as well as those of pleasure and joy.
Sometimes one finds two people exposed to benefits or harm whose reactions are very different. But this is due to the difference in their faith and righteousness. One meets his experiences with gratitude or patience and thus obtains contentment and the removal of worry, anxiety and depression. The other receives his blessings from Allah with greed, tyranny and arrogance, so his morals are corrupted. He seizes those favours ravenously like an animal, yet his heart is not at rest.
In today’s world, it is too easy to forget and to drift into heedlessness. Deep down inside, we know we will somehow or other be rewarded for doing what is right, and will end up the losers if we do what is wrong. But without clear religious guidance, we easily drift into error.
Faith in Allah’s justice, which rewards acts of kindness and punishes violence and brutality, is the road to happiness. But this road is gained when one achieve faith without comprising his or her deen to this world. That is one has to strive for Allah only and live as Allah has said in the Qur’an and do not commit himself or herself to Shaytan’s temptations.
Remember, one must not imitate the Kufar, as they are certainly lost.
Wassalaam
Aisha