Understanding Happiness
Throughout their lives, individuals strive for happiness amidst the challenges and misfortunes that life presents. It is a universal truth that everyone encounters hardships and sorrow at various points in their lives. The distinction arises in how people respond to divine decrees. Two individuals may experience the same affliction; however, one may choose to complain and express discontent, while the other finds solace and smiles as a reflection of acceptance of God’s will. The early companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were among the happiest, largely due to their adherence to his teachings. He served as an exemplary model of the traits that cultivate an expansive heart. According to a narration by Imam Muslim, the Prophet stated: “Three qualities, whoever possesses them will find the sweetness of faith: that Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than anything else, that he loves a person solely for the sake of Allah, and that he hates to revert to disbelief after Allah has rescued him from it, just as he would hate to be cast into the fire.” The Prophet also guided his companions toward paths of happiness, advising them to adhere to what would benefit them. When commanded by Allah to don the hijab, the Muslim women readily tore their garments to comply, thus experiencing happiness by fulfilling Allah’s commands. Acknowledgment of blessings followed by gratitude is a crucial pathway to achieving happiness. As stated in the Quran: “If you were to count the favors of Allah, you would not be able to enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” Recognizing the blessing of good health and the absence of pain can be sufficient to evoke a sense of happiness. Furthermore, if individuals were to appreciate their blessings before losing them, their lives would flourish with joy and contentment. Various factors contribute to happiness, including time, health, and intellect, with faith standing out as the most significant. Faith offers comfort to the grieving, wealth to the needy, and strength to the weak.
Factors Contributing to Happiness in This Life and the Hereafter
Happiness is an internal state rather than a tangible phenomenon that can be grasped. In His mercy, Allah has provided various causes through which individuals can attain happiness by following certain principles. A vital aspect of this is understanding that happiness is not something owned by others, but rather, it emanates from within and is enhanced by external influences. Happiness has a ripple effect on those around us. Below are some key factors that can lead an individual toward happiness:
- Accepting Allah’s decree with grace and contentment. Acceptance is one of the most powerful pathways to happiness, a hallmark of the truly joyous who constantly maintain a positive perspective, often overlooking their worries. It is crucial to recognize that nothing befalls an individual except by divine will.
- Greeting others with a smile. In Islam, smiling is considered a form of charity, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Your smiling in the face of your brother is an act of charity.” A smile fosters peace and comfort, making the individual who smiles well-liked among others, bringing joy to those who encounter them.
- Spreading peace among people. Wishing peace upon others serves as a profound prayer for their safety and plays a significant role in fostering love and community spirit. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) remarked: “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something that, if you do it, will help you love one another? Spread peace among yourselves.” Peace is an explicit call for security in society, thereby promoting happiness.
- Engaging in voluntary acts of service, such as assisting the needy, supporting the underprivileged, and caring for orphans. True fulfillment is found in giving, and the act of giving fosters a sense of purpose and value in life. Many psychological issues arise from feelings of worthlessness, thus performing good deeds—even if they seem minor to one—can greatly impact those in need.
- Maintaining family ties. Upholding relationships with family members is essential, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) indicated that it brings joy to people’s hearts and results in abundant provisions and longevity.
- Regular prayer in communal settings. Prayer places the worshipper under divine care and protection.
- Being mindful of the remembrance of Allah. Engaging in dhikr (remembrance) is among the foremost means to alleviate worries, heal hearts, and bring tranquility to souls.
- Providing care for orphans, as this compassionate act greatly impacts their welfare.
- Cultivating knowledge through attending educational gatherings and learning the Quran. Such gatherings are graced by angels and imbued with peace and mercy, offering numerous blessings to attendees.
- Encouraging what is good and prohibiting what is harmful with kindness and love.
- Being observant of the struggles of others can help one realize that there are those who endure greater hardships, thereby cultivating gratitude for one’s own blessings.
Happiness in the Holy Quran
Allah intended the Quran to serve as a guide for a noble life, paving the way to happiness and contentment. The Quran describes the inhabitants of Paradise as truly happy: “And as for those who are blessed, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord wills. A gift unending.” The key to happiness in the Hereafter lies in gaining God’s pleasure in this world through complete submission to Him. The verses of the Quran indicate that patience leads to a state of contentment, which is one of the highest forms of happiness. Furthermore, forgiving others and letting go of grievances fosters love and closeness among people. The Quran, revealed to bring happiness, is often misunderstood as merely a tool for accumulating wealth or achieving positions of power; however, true fulfillment does not stem from material gains. Even if one were to attain all transient pleasures—wealth, status, and fame—lacking inner peace would render them among the most wretched. Allah states: “And whoever turns away from My remembrance—indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” Genuine happiness arises from closeness to Allah, while misery is found in straying from Him.