30
The Path To Happiness
True happiness is attained through a number of key fundamental
beliefs:
The First Pillar: Belief in God and in
His Oneness
Whoever believes in Allah and in His Oneness will be guided to
the path of happiness. His heart will be content, and he will live
in a state of pure tranquility. God, Almighty, says:
“Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by
the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance
of Allah hearts are assured.” (13:28)
When man knows the greatness of His creator who has created
all things and is capable over all things, he will become more
humble. Nothing is like unto Him. God, Almighty, says:
“Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer
of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor
sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever
is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by
His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and
what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His
knowledge except for what He wills. His footstool extends over
the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not.
And He is the Most High, the Most Great.” (2:255)
With the belief in God, one will attain true happiness. When one
is faced with trials, he asks God directly to alleviate the problems
that he faces. God says:
• I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls u pon
Me (2:186)
With the belief in
God, one will attain
true happiness.
When one is faced
with trials, he
asks God directly
to alleviate the
problems that he
faces.
How to Attain True Happiness
31
“And when My slaves ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me
- indeed I am near. I respond to the supplicant when he calls
upon Me. So let them respond to me and believe in Me that
they may be guided.” (2:186)
Misery is the result of one not believing in God, the Almighty.
Whoever does not believe in God will indeed live a life filled with
anxiety and misery. God instilled in us a natural disposition to
recognize the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. God can
easily be recognized by simple deductions, as is mentioned in
the following verse:
“Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of
themselves]?” (52:35)
One’s belief in God must be tied with the belief in the Oneness
of God. One must not associate any partners with Him. Whoever
associates a partner with God, his belief will not benefit
him. God, Almighty, says:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others in worship
with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He
wills. And he who associates in worship others with Allah has
certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” (4:48)
When one associates in worship others with God, they would
be disrespecting God. Anything imperfect deserves no form of
divine praise, let alone worship! God, Almighty, says:
“Had there been within the Heavens and Earth gods besides
Allah, they would both have been ruined. So exalted is Allah,
Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.” (21:22)
God, the Exalted, is not in need of any of His creation; whereas,
all creation is in need of Him. God, Almighty, says:
“Allah has not taken any son, nor has there ever been with
Him any deity. If there had been, then each deity would have
taken what it created, and some of them would have sought to
overcome others. Exalted is Allah above what they attribute to
Him.” (23:91)
One’s belief in
God must be tied
with the belief in
the Oneness of
God. One must
not associate any
partners with Him.
Whoever associates
a partner with God,
his belief will not
benefit him.
32
The Path To Happiness
Of the Benefits of the Belief in God:
01 It will free one from all forms of enslavement to any creature.
When one is fully cognizant that fate is in the hands
of God and can only be changed by His will, they will ultimately
free themselves from all forms of spiritual slavery
and will worship and submit to their Creator fully. God, the
Exalted, says:
“Say, ‘Who is Lord of the heavens and earth?’ Say, ‘Allah.’
Say, ‘Have you then taken besides Him allies not possessing
[even] for themselves any benefit or any harm?’ Say, ‘Is
the blind equivalent to the seeing? Or is darkness equivalent
to light? Or have they attributed to Allah partners who created
like His creation so that the creation [of each] seemed
similar to them?’ Say, ‘Allah is the Creator of all things, and
He is the One, the Prevailing.’” (13:16)
02 Each individual will fear God alone. When one fears others
than God, it will bring him misery. Satan will strike fear in
his heart. Allah says:
“That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So
fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.” (3:175)
03 One will become courageous and brave. Allah causes
death and appoints for each person a period for which they
will live on this earth. God, Almighty, says:
“And it is not [possible] for one to die except by the permission
of Allah at a decree determined.” (3:145)
As for a non-believer, they will live a life of misery because
disbelief does not give a person anything to fall back on
in times of hardship. How true are the words of God, the
Almighty, when He says:
“So whoever Allah wants to guide - He expands his chest
to [contain] Islam. And whoever He wants to misguide - He
makes his chest tight and constricted as though he were
climbing into the sky. Thus does Allah place defilement
upon those who do not believe.” (6:125)
• So whoever Allah wants
to guide - He expands his
chest to Islam (6:125)
When one fears
others than God, it
will bring him misery.
Satan will strike fear
in his heart.
How to Attain True Happiness
33
The Second Pillar: Belief in the Angels
Angels are of the unseen world. One can only understand their
nature by hearing what the Messengers brought to us of the
revelation of God. Through them the Message of God was
given to the Prophets and Messengers on Earth. The Angel in
charge of delivering Divine Messages was the Angel Gabriel.
God, the Exalted, says:
“O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger
and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and
the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves
in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the
Last Day has certainly gone far astray.” (4:136)
The Third Pillar: Belief in the Scriptures
These scriptures contain the instructions for life, which a believer
should apply so as to succeed. When one puts the revelation
of God into application, they will indeed experience social,
individual and political stability. God says:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while
he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and
We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according
to the best of what they used to do.” (16:97)
A good life is one that includes all righteous walks of life. It will
suffice one’s soul and bestow true happiness upon an individual.
God, Almighty, says:
“Indeed, those who have believed [in the Prophet Muhammad
صلى الله عليه وسلم] and those [before him صلى الله عليه وسلم] who were Jews or Sabeans or
Christians - those among them who believed in Allah and the
Last Day and did righteousness - no fear will there be concerning
them, nor will they grieve.” (5:69)
Angels are of the
unseen world. One
can only understand
their nature by
hearing what
the Messengers
brought to us of the
revelation of God.
34
The Path To Happiness
The Teachings of Islam bring Happiness
The teachings of Islam have a great impact on the upbringing
of a practicing Muslim. It also has an impact on his manners,
ethics and, ultimately, upon his state of mind; a state of stable
happiness. The teachings of Islam distance a Muslim from being
miserable. These Islamic teachings include:
01 To love Allah and His Messenger. Loving Allah and His
Messenger will motivate a believer to give charitably to attain this
love. As it has been said, “True happiness has
no price.” The pursuit of happiness has led
some to spending great amounts of money in
hope of attaining the approval of a loved one.
When asked if it was worth it in the end, they
would certainly agree; for love has no price,
and happiness is worth the price!
If this is the case with love in this life, attaining
Godly love should be a goal that all strive
for. God says:
“And yet, among the people are those who
take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as
they should love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in
love for Allah. And if only those who have wronged would consider
[that] when they see the punishment, [they will be certain]
that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is severe in punishment.”
(2:165)
The Companions of the Prophet loved Allah and His Prophet
very much. When the Companion Khubaib b. Adi was brought
forth to be executed by the polytheists, they asked him, “Do
you have any last requests?” He said, “Yes, let me perform
prayer.” They allowed him to perform the prayer.
He was the first to perform a two-unit prayer before execution.
Loving Allah and
His Messenger will
provoke a believer to
give out in that path
to attain this love.
How to Attain True Happiness
35
After he finished praying he said, “By Allah, if it were not for
the fact that you might say, I am afraid of dying, I would have
lengthened my prayer.” When they wanted to execute him, they
asked him, “Don’t you wish that the Prophet Muhammad were
in your place and that you could be safe with your family?” He
replied, “By Allah, I wouldn’t want Muhammad to be harmed by
a thorn while I am in the safety of my family!”
The miserable is he who gives priority to his desires over the
love of Allah and the Messenger. God says:
“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If your fathers, your sons, your brothers,
your wives, your relatives, the wealth which you have obtained,
commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which
you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His
Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah executes
His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly
disobedient people.’” (9:24)
When one loves for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, he
will gladly make many sacrifices, for this love is everlasting and
a believer will feel the utmost happiness. Almighty, God says:
“And [also for] those who were settled in Madinah and [adopted]
the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and
find not any want in their hearts of what the emigrants were given,
but give them preference over themselves, even though they are
in need themselves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess
of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.” (59:9)
• And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people (9:24)
36
The Path To Happiness
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“One will experience the ‘sweetness’ of faith when they acquire
three traits: that Allah and His Prophet are more beloved to
Himself than all of creation, that one love for the sake of God,
and that one hate to return to disbelief as much as they would
hate to be tossed into the blazing Fire.” (Bukhari)
Achieving this love is indeed one method by which a person
can protect himself from the difficulties, hardships and trials of
the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Seven types of people will be shaded in the Shade of Allah, a
day when there is no shade but His shade. A
just ruler, a youth who grew up worshipping
Allah, a man whose heart is attached to the
mosque, two who loved each other for the
sake of Allah and then departed on that as
well, a man whom an affluent woman sought
to seduce him, but he said, ‘I fear Allah’, a
man who gave out in charity so secretly that
his left hand knew not of what was in his
right hand, and a man who remembered Allah
and then wept.” (Bukhari)
Worshipping Allah will indeed make one submissive
to Allah and will free him from being a captive to his desires
and whims. When a person follows that which has been
ordained by Allah and abstains from the prohibited, he will feel
true happiness for at that point, he will have overcome his desires
and defeated Satan.
The teachings of Islam instruct us to dedicate our lives, wealth
and time for the sake of God. Practicing Islam is not only a
temporary effort, to be done occasionally; it is a way of life.
Allah says:
“Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my
dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds.’” (6:162)
Achieving
this love is indeed
one method by
which a person
can protect himself
from the difficulties,
hardships and
trials of the Day of
Resurrection.
How to Attain True Happiness
37
W. Montgomery Watt in his book, What is Islam?, said:
“Prejudice is only one of the difficulties to be met by the European
or American student of Islam. As soon as he begins to
describe Islam as ‘the religion of the Qur’an’, or ‘the religion
of the four hundred million Muslims of today’, he introduces a
category which does not fit the category of ‘religion’. For what
does ‘religion’ now mean to the occidental? At best, for the
ordinary man, it means a way of spending an hour or so on Sundays
in practices which give him some support and strength in
dealing with the problems of daily life, and which encourages
him to be friendly towards other persons and to maintain the
standards of sexual propriety; it has little or nothing to do with
commerce or economics or politics or industrial relationships.
At worst, it fosters an attitude of complacency in the more prosperous
individuals and breeds smugness. The European may
even look on religion as an opiate developed by exploiters of
the common people in order to keep them in subjection. How
different from the connotations to the Muslim of the verse (3:19):
‘The true religion with God is Islam!’ The word translated as ‘religion’
is Din, which, in Arabic, commonly refers to a whole way
of life. It is not a private matter for individuals, touching only the
periphery of their lives, but something which is both private and
public, something which permeates the whole fabric of society
in a way of which men are conscious. It is - all in one - theological
dogma, forms of worship, political theory, and a detailed
code of conduct, including even matters which the European
would classify as hygiene or etiquette.”(1)
The Angels, Prophets and Messengers of God were all submissive
to Him. Allah says:
“Never would the Messiah disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor
would the angels near [to Him]. And whoever disdains His worship
and is arrogant - He will gather them to Himself all together.”
(4:172)
(1) W. Montgomery
Watt is a Scottish
Orientalist.
W. Montgomery
Watt in his book, What
is Islam?, said: “The
European may even
look on religion as
an opiate developed
by exploiters of the
common people in
order to keep them in
subjection.”
38
The Path To Happiness
All creation is submissive to Allah, which proves the greatness
of the Creator. Allah says:
“The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them
exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts Allah by
His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting.
Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving.” (17:44)
Whoever turns away from the worship of Allah will only experience
a life of misery, for he will have no direction in his life and
will not experience true happiness. Allah says:
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance, indeed, he
will have an uneasy life, and We will raise him on the Day of
Resurrection blind.” (20:124)
In short, whoever is not submissive to Allah is a puppet to the
Devil. Allah says:
“And whoever is blinded from remembrance of the Most
Merciful, We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion.”
(43:36)
Satan will only lead one to misery, as he himself has promised:
“Iblis said, ‘My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will
surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I
will mislead them all.’” (15:39)
Worshipping Allah indeed bestows upon one an infinite feeling
of happiness which is unparalleled. Listen to what one of the
Muslims said upon expressing his feelings about the happiness
that he felt:
“If the kings or their children knew of the happiness that we
experience, they would indeed fight us for it with their swords.”
02 What is the formula to true, ever-lasting happiness? True
happiness is the result of the same actions that will also grant an individual
with a blissful life in the Hereafter. This is what makes a Muslim
always strive to become better. God, the Exalted says:
“And as for those who were [destined to be] prosperous, they
Whoever
turns away from
the worship of
Allah will only
experience a life of
misery, for he will
have no direction
in his life and will
not experience true
happiness.
How to Attain True Happiness
39
will be in Paradise, abiding therein as long as the heavens and
the earth endure, except what your Lord should will - a bestowal
uninterrupted.” (11:108)
One should not make an objective of amassing as much wealth
as he can in this life, for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“This world is the prison of the believer and the paradise of the
non-believer.” (Abu Dawood)
One may ask, “How can all of this be true when we see that
many non-Muslims are living in poverty, while other Muslims
are very wealthy?” The answer is simple, and can be clarified
through the following story. The head judge of Egypt, Ibn Hajar
al-Asqalani, may Allah have mercy on him, was stopped by a
Jew who asked him, “How do you interpret the words of your
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ‘This world is the prison of the believer and the
Paradise of the non-believer.’ I am a non-believer and yet, I am
very poor. You are very wealthy and are a Muslim!” Ibn Hajar
replied, “Even though you are poor, you are still considered to
be in your paradise, for the punishment that awaits you in the
next life is extremely painful. And even though I am dressed
up in these robes, if Allah wills to admit me into Jannah(1), this
bliss that I am enjoying in this world is considered nothing in
comparison to the joys of Jannah.” Upon hearing these words,
the poor man accepted Islam.
Islam instructs the believer to avoid overestimating the life of
this world. Its insignificance is clarified and a Muslim is not to
indulge deeply into it. In the Prophetic Tradition narrated by
Sahl b. Sa’d it states: “We were with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم
in the area of Dhul-Hulaifah, and he saw a bloated, dead sheep
at which he said:
‘Do you see the owner of this sheep bothering himself with it?
By the One in Whose hands is my life, the entire world is less
important to Allah than this sheep is to its owner. If this world
was equal in value to the wing of a fly, Allah would not even
have given a non-Muslim a drop of water.’” (Ibn Majah)
(1) Jannah is
the name of the
Heavenly abode
in which the
believers will
receive eternal
bliss.
True
happiness
is that which will
bless an individual
with a blissful life in
the Hereafter. This
is what makes a
Muslim always strive
to become better.
40
The Path To Happiness
03 The Messengers and the Prophets are the best of
creation, and the most beloved to Allah. They were all
put through trials and tribulations. Some of them were killed,
banished from their homelands and rejected by their people. If
this is the case, anyone less than them in rank and status may
be harmed in a similar way. When a trial befalls us, we should
not fret. Rather, we hold steadfast, for this is the path through
which we will taste the sweetness of faith and experience true
happiness.
Allah says about the Prophet Noah:
“And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he remained
among them a thousand years minus fifty years, and the flood
seized them while they were wrongdoers.” (29:14)
Allah says, relating to us the story of the Prophet Ibrahim:
“And the answer of Abraham’s people was not but that they
said, ‘Kill him or burn him,’ but Allah saved him from the fire.
Indeed, in that are signs for a people who believe.” (29:24)
Allah says about the Prophet Moses:
“And Pharaoh said, ‘Let me kill Moses and let him call upon his
Lord. Indeed, I fear that he will change your religion or that he
will cause corruption in the land.’” (40:26)
Allah says about the Prophet Shuaib:
“We know that you, [O Muhammad], are saddened by what
they say. And indeed, they do not call you untruthful, but it is
the verses of Allah that the wrongdoers reject.” (7:88)
• Madinah SAUDI
ARABIA, The
Nabawi mosque
is the second
holiest mosque
in Islam.
How to Attain True Happiness
41
Allah says about the Prophet Salih:
“They said, ‘O Salih, you were among us a man of promise
before this. Do you forbid us to worship what our fathers worshipped?
And indeed we are, about that to which you invite us,
in disquieting doubt.’” (11:62)
Allah says about the Prophet Lot:
“But the answer of his people was not except that they said,
‘Expel the family of Lot from your city. Indeed, they are people
who would keep themselves pure.’” (27:56)
Allah says about the Prophet Jesus:
“And for their saying, ‘Indeed, we have
killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of
Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they
did not kill him, nor did they crucify him,
but [instead] another was made to resemble
him to them. And indeed, those
who differ over it are in doubt about it.
They have no knowledge of it except the
following of assumption. And they did
not kill him, for certain.” (4:157)
Allah says about Prophet Muhammad:
“Said the eminent ones who were arrogant
among his people, ‘We will surely
evict you, O Shu’aib, and those who
have believed with you from our city, or
you must return to our religion.’ He said,
‘Even if we were unwilling?’” (6:33)
• And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify
him, but [instead] another was made to
resemble him to them. (4:157)
• Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
42
The Path To Happiness
04 Defining the greatest goal in the life of a Muslim.
The goal of every Muslim should be to attain the mercy of Allah
and His Paradise. This goal cannot be achieved except after
death. The Muslim will always be in a continuous struggle till
death to attain this goal. As for non-believers, they seek to
achieve worldly goals and experience short-lived happiness
when achieving their goals. When a person achieves the goal
that he was working so hard to attain, they will then experience
anxiety as to what is next. This will lead a person to become
unstable in the spiritual sense of the word. People, who are of
this category, those who live only to acquire their desires, don’t
actually experience happiness. Allah says about them:
“Allah will admit those who have believed and performed righteous
deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow, but those
who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as grazing livestock
eat, and the Fire will be their residence.” (47:12)
Even if these individuals hold degrees in various fields, yet are
incapable of recognizing their Lord, their knowledge would not
have been of benefit to them! Allah says:
“Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are
not except like livestock. Rather, they are [even] more astray in
their way.” (25:44)
It has been said by a poet, “Don’t look at those who have
passed away or how they passed, but look at how those that
were successful became successful.” Allah says:
“And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and
mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand,
eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do
not hear. They are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It
is they who are the heedless.” (7:179)
This does not mean that one should cast aside this worldly
life and become a burden upon others. Allah has ordered that
his servants strive in this world and work hard to acquire their
People who
live only to acquire
their whims and
desires, don’t
actually experience
happiness.
How to Attain True Happiness
43
provisions. This is something ordained in the Shari’ah(1). Allah
says:
“It is He who made the earth subservient to you - so walk
among its slopes and eat of His provision - and to Him is the
resurrection.” (67:15)
One’s rank will be elevated when
they work and strive to acquire the
basic necessities of life, to feed
themselves and their families and
also when they give charitably for
the pleasure of God. Allah says:
“Those who spend their wealth in
the way of Allah and then do not follow
up what they have spent with reminders [of it], or [other]
injury, will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no
fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (2:262)
What is required of a Muslim is that the glitter of this life does
not ruin their intention and deeds. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“The hand that gives out in charity is better than that which
takes it. Give charity to those whom you support and the best
form of charity is to give while you are wealthy. Whoever abstains
from taking charity, Allah will bless him.” (Bukhari)
A person will be rewarded for his intention. If one who is wealthy
intends to give out in the path of Allah, Allah will reward him according
to that intention. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“This world is for four individuals. A servant whom Allah gave
wealth and knowledge and he fears Allah and maintains family
relations. He understands that Allah has a right upon him.
This individual is in the best of ranks. The second, a servant
whom Allah gave him knowledge, but did not bestow upon him
wealth, and if he is sincere in his intention, and says: ‘If I had
money, I would do with it as so and so is doing.’ They would be
equal in reward.” (Tirmidthi)
A person will
be rewarded for his
intention. If one who
is wealthy intends to
give out in the path
of Allah, Allah will
reward him according
to that intention.
(1) Shari’ah, Islamic
law.
• The hand that gives out in charity is
better than that which takes it
44
The Path To Happiness
05 Knowing the reality of this life. Islam has clarified to
the Muslim that this life is nothing more than a passing pleasure.
Allah says:
“Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire -
of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine
branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment
of the worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.” (3:14)
Allah has clarified the shortness of this life, He said:
“Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion
and adornment and boasting to one another, and competition
in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a
rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers. Then it
dries and you see it turned yellow, then it becomes [scattered]
debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness
from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except
the enjoyment of delusion.” (57:20)
Allah has clarified that this life is only a stepping stone to the
Hereafter, which is the true, ultimate, and everlasting life. The
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم informed his companion, Umar b. al-Khattab, of
this when Umar entered upon him, and found him lying on a
mat made from straw which had left marks on the Prophet’s
side. He said, “O Prophet of Allah, if you wish we can bring you
bedding more comfortable than this.” He replied:
“What do I need from this world? My example in this
world is surely that of a person riding on a sunny
day and then taking shade under a tree for a period
of time, then leaving and continuing on his
journey.” (Ahmed)
Allah, the Almighty, has clarified to us that
this life is full of worries and misery. If you feel
joyful during one day, you will feel sorrowful on
other days. If you laugh one day, you will cry on
• Beautified for people is
the love of that which
they desire (3:14)
Allah has
clarified the
shortness of this
life. Allah has
clarified that this life
is only a stage to
the afterlife, which
is the ultimate,
everlasting life.
How to Attain True Happiness
45
another day. Being joyous continually is not possible. This is
the nature of this life.
It is inappropriate for any of us to rely upon this world and
disregard the next. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم instructed his companion
Abdullah b. Umar:
“Be in this life like a stranger or a traveler.” (Bukhari)
The kings, who one would think would certainly enjoy this life,
don’t enjoy it as some may perceive. Abdurrahman an-Nasir,
one of the Umayyad Dynasty Caliphs of Spain, who ruled for
over 50 years, wrote a note which was found near him when
he died, “Indeed, the day that was truly a joyous day for this
Caliph was such and such day from such and such month of
such and such year.” Altogether, there were fourteen days that
he felt complete joy.
A poet clarified the nature of this life saying:
This life does not last for anyone
As you see, all things pass as quickly as they come,
Whoever is joyous for a period of time would feel sorrowful
during many others
Another said:
Everyone you find complains about this life,
Woe to them, do they expect to live forever?
When the Muslim knows this, it will increase his desire to attain
more provisions for the Hereafter and to not blindly become
attached to this life. If this blind attachment to the world materializes,
one will feel sorrowful for every missed opportunity and
ultimately will ruin his happiness. Allah says:
“Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full]
compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn
away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained success.
And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of
delusion.” (3:185)
The Muslim
knows the shortness
of this life, and this
will increase his
desire to attain more
provisions for the
Hereafter and to
not blindly become
attached to this life.
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The Path To Happiness
06 One should accompany good individuals and avoid
the company of those who are evil. No one can deny the
influence a friend has over another. It has been said in the common
parable, “The companion will drag you with him.” Your
friend will either drag you to goodness or to evil. He may be
instrumental in you being happy or miserable. The Messenger
of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“The example of a good companion and an evil one is like that
of a perfume salesman and a blacksmith. A perfume salesman
will either give you some perfume, sell it to you or at the
very least you will smell a pleasant scent. On
the other hand, a blacksmith will burn your
clothes and in the very least you will smell a
very unpleasant odor from him.” (Bukhari)
A good companion will surely be a great help
during times of hardship. They will help you
when a disaster strikes and will remind you to
be mindful of God when you forget. This is the
opposite of a bad companion, for he will be
the first to abandon you when you are in need
and will work to increase your misery.
07 Islam commands us to forsake sinful acts. Doing
sinful acts will only bring misery to the individual and it will
prevent him from experiencing true happiness. Ultimately, sinning
will distance one from worshipping Allah, which is the very
source of happiness. Allah says:
“No! Rather, a stain has covered their hearts as a result of that
which they were earning.” (83:14)
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“When a believer sins, it will be registered as a black dot on their
heart. If he repents the black dot will be removed and his heart
will be purified, but if he continues, the darkness will spread,
and this is the stain that Allah speaks of in the Qur’an.” (Ibn Majah)
A good
companion will
surely be a great
help during times
of hardship. He will
help you when a
disaster strikes and
will remind you to be
mindful of God when
you forget.
How to Attain True Happiness
47
A Muslim should refrain from sinning, for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has
clarified the dangers of sinning. He said:
“A man will be prevented from acquiring provisions on account
of a sin that he does.” (Ibn Hibban)
This feeling of misery is the result of one not being comfortable
with the crime that they have committed. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was
once asked about sin and he replied, “Consult your soul, consult
your heart. Righteousness is what is satisfying to your soul and
your heart. Sin is what wavers in your soul and causes hesitancy
in your chest, even if the people give you a verdict (that it’s acceptable
to do it), and again give you a verdict.”
(Sunan Ad-Darimi)
08 One should be mindful of the previous
nations and heed the punishments that
befell them. One should understand that this
life is not a permanent place of stay. No matter
how advanced we become, this world will come
to an end. Allah says:
“Have they not seen how many generations We
destroyed before them which We had established upon the
earth as We have not established you? And We sent [rain from]
the sky upon them in showers and made rivers flow beneath
them. Then We destroyed them for their sins and brought forth
after them a generation of others.” (6:6)
Allah says:
“Have they not traveled through the earth and observed what
was the end of those before them? They were greater than
them in power, and they plowed the earth and built it up more
than they have built it up, and their messengers came to them
with clear evidences. And Allah would not ever have wronged
them, but they were wronging themselves.” (30:9)
One should
understand that this
life is not a permanent
place of stay. No matter
how advanced we
become, this world will
come to an end.
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The Path To Happiness
Allah says:
“And [We destroyed the towns of] ‘Aad and Thamud, and it has
become clear to you from their [ruined] dwellings. And Satan
had made pleasing to them their deeds and averted them from
the path, and they were endowed with perception.” (29:38)
Allah says:
“And how many a city have We destroyed that was insolent in
its [way of] living, and those are their dwellings which have not
been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is We who were
the inheritors.” (28:58)
When the Muslim realizes that this life is only a temporal stage, he
would be happy and would submit to the will of Allah. Allah says:
“And [O Muhammad] warn the people of a Day when the punishment
will come to them and those who did wrong will say,
‘Our Lord, delay us for a short term. We will answer Your call
and follow the messengers.’ [But it will be said], ‘Had you not
sworn, before, that for you there would be no cessation? And
you lived among the dwellings of those who wronged themselves,
and it had become clear to you how We dealt with
them. And We presented for you [many] examples.’” (14:44-5)
09 One should always look at those who are less fortunate.
Indeed, man is blessed with a wealth of blessings, but
most often he is oblivious to them. One will only realize them
when he loses them. If one is in need, they should look at those
who are less fortunate. If one is sick, but can move about, they
should look at those who are bedridden. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
“Look at those who are less fortunate than you. Do not look at
those who are more fortunate than you, for this will cause one to
despise the grace and blessing of Allah upon him.” (Agreed Upon)
If one is to look at those less fortunate than him, he will become
satisfied and will recognize the grace of Allah upon him.
A person came to a scholar complaining to him about the
difficulty of his situation. The scholar asked him, “Would you
If one is in
need, they should
look at those who
are less fortunate.
If one is sick, but
can move about,
they should look
at those who are
bedridden.
How to Attain True Happiness
49
want to exchange your eyesight for 100,000 silver coins?” The
man replied, “Certainly not!” The scholar asked, “How about
your hand for 100,000 silver coins?” He said, “Most certainly
not!” The scholar asked, “How about your foot for 100,000 silver
coins?” He responded, “Most certainly not!” The scholar
then said, “I see in you graces and blessings worth hundreds of
thousands of silver coins and yet you complain!”
In relation to issues that pertain to the Hereafter, one is always
recommended to look at those who are better than himself, so
that he can work on himself and improve.
10 Satisfaction is achieved when one is pleased with
what Allah has ordained. When one distances himself from
wanting what people have, and submits to the will of Allah,
they will achieve pure satisfaction. The Qur’anic texts and the
Prophetic Traditions have a great impact in fostering such satisfaction
in the hearts of Muslims. This is so that they can live
a peaceful life, far from envy and hatred, which would result
when one is not satisfied. A person who is satisfied in the manner
mentioned above will certainly live a happy life. Allah says:
“And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have
given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, it is only but the
splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision
of your Lord is better and more lasting.” (20:131)
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“He who submits to Allah will be successful and his provisions
will suffice him, and Allah will make him content with it.” (Muslim)
The love of this world is a natural trait that everyone possesses,
as the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم informed us:
“If a person had two valleys of wealth, he would wish for a third
equal to it. Nothing suffices the human being except soil(1), and
Allah will forgive those who seek forgiveness.” (Bukhari)
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has instructed the Muslims to be content with
The Qur’anic
texts and the
Prophetic Traditions
have a great
impact in fostering
satisfaction in the
hearts of Muslims.
The reason for this is
so that they can live
a peaceful life, far
from enmities and
hatred.
50
The Path To Happiness
what they have. This advice has a definite effect on the believers.
He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Whoever among you wakes up secure in his home, healthy in
his body, and having food for the day - it is as if he were given
the entire world.” (Tirmidthi)
If one is to carefully consider this Prophetic Tradition, he will realize
that this is, in fact, all that he needs in life. As for the next day,
the knowledge of it is with Allah, one does not have a guarantee
that he will live to witness it or not. The money that is in one’s
account may not remain there as intended; a sudden event may
come to pass and the savings could be lost. Allah says:
“Indeed, Allah [alone] has knowledge of the Hour and sends
down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives
what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what
land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (31:34)
11 Submitting to the will of Allah and depending upon
Him alone. He is the One who takes care of all affairs. He
gives to whomever He wills and withholds from whomever He
wills. He makes powerful and noble whom He wills and makes
weak and ignoble whom He wills. Allah says:
“Say, ‘O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty
to whom You will and You take sovereignty away
from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You
humble whom You will. In Your hand is all good. Indeed,
You are over all things competent.’” (3:26)
When man knows that all the provisions have already
been ordained and that this has been decreed from the time
he was in the womb of his mother, he will not fret over lost opportunities.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Verily the creation of each one of you is brought together in
his mother’s womb for forty days in the form a drop, then he
becomes a clot of blood, then a chewed morsel of flesh. Then
there is sent to him the Angel who breathes the soul into him and
The Prophet
صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “He who
submits to Allah
will be successful
and his provisions
will suffice him, and
Allah will make him
content with it.”
• You give sovereignty to
whom You will. (3:26)
(1) This means a
human will not be
happy or content till he
dies, at which point he
will no longer harbor
the desire to want
worldly, material things.
How to Attain True Happiness
51
who is commanded with four matters: to write down his sustenance,
his life span, his actions, and whether he will be happy or
unhappy (whether or not he will enter Paradise).” (Bukhari)
No one will leave this life unless he receives all the possessions
ordained for him by God. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“No individual will depart from this world until he completes the
term (of life) assigned for him by Allah and until he takes all his
provisions that are assigned to him; therefore, ask Allah. When
the response to your supplication is delayed, do not seek what
you want from unlawful sources, for one will only get the blessings
of Allah when they obey Him.” (Tabarani)
12 One should be pleased with what Allah has assigned
for him, even if these things may be seemingly
bad for him. Allah says:
“O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit
women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them
in order to take back part of what you gave them unless they
commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness, for if
you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes
therein much good.” (4:19)
It may be that something you dislike may be good for you, and
you would know not. Allah says:
“Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you.
But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you, and perhaps
you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows,
while you know not.” (2:216)
When man
knows that all the
provisions have
already been
ordained and that
this has been
decreed from the
time he was in the
womb of his mother,
he will not fret over
lost opportunities.
• And live with them in kindness (4:19)
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The Path To Happiness
13 One should know that Allah has favored some
in terms of worldly, material possessions over others
based on a divine wisdom. Allah says:
“And Allah has favored some of you over others in provision.
But those who were favored would not hand over their provision
to their servants so they would be equal to them therein.
Then is it the favor of Allah they reject?” (16:71)
Allah also says:
“Look how We have favored [in provision] some of you over
others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference]
and greater in distinction.” (17:21)
14 One should not envy others and desire what they
have, nor should they aspire to lead a purely material
life. Allah says:
“Say, ‘Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of
His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you
spend [in His cause], He will compensate it; and He is the best
of providers.’” (34:39)
Since wishful thinking of this nature is detrimental to satisfaction
and contentment of the heart, Muslims have been instructed
to avoid it. Allah says:
“And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some
of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have
One should
know that Allah
has favored
some in terms of
worldly, material
possessions over
others based on a
divine wisdom.
• He is the best of providers (34:39)
How to Attain True Happiness
53
earned and for women is a share of what they have earned
and ask Allah of His bounty. Indeed, Allah is ever, of all things,
Knowing.” (4:32)
Instead of this, a Muslim has been ordered by Allah to closely
examine what they have done and to keep themselves “in
check”. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“The wise is he who keeps himself in check and scrutinizes
what he has done and works for what comes after death. A
failure is one who follows his whims and thinks wishfully of his
abode while not working towards it.” (Tirmidthi)
15 One should be careful to not become envious,
hateful or hold grudges. These are dangerous sicknesses
that will ruin one’s feeling of happiness and replace it with misery.
Whoever is not happy with what Allah has decreed for him
and enviously desires what is in the hands of others will become
hateful. Allah says:
“Or do they envy people for what Allah has given them of
His bounty? But We had already given the family of Abraham
the Scripture and wisdom, and conferred upon them a great
kingdom.” (4:54)
Arrogance resulting from envy was the first sin ever committed.
Allah tells us what Iblis (Satan) did when God created Adam
and ordered the Angels to bow down:
“[Iblis] said, ‘Do You see this one whom You have honored
above me? If You delay my death until the Day of Resurrection,
I will surely destroy his descendants, except for a few.’” (17:62)
The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم spoke to his community, warning
them of this disease:
“Do not envy one another, do not inflate prices for one another,
do not hate one another, do not turn away from one
another and do not undercut one another in trade. Rather,
be servants of Allah and brothers. A Muslim is the brother of
Arrogance
resulting from envy
was the first sin ever
committed.
