Happiness in Islam : Happiness & Science 2=20
Description: Islam agrees with scientific methods of attaining happiness.
Part 1 of Happiness in Islam discussed the evolution of happiness in wester=
n thought and its effect on western culture. In part 2 we will re-examine =
the definitions of happiness and talk about the relationship between scienc=
e and happiness and how this in turn relates to the teachings of Islam. =20
The Merriam Webster online dictionary defines happiness as a state of well =
being or contentment, a pleasurable or satisfying experience. Philosophers=
often define happiness in terms of living a good life. Happiness has also=
been defined as a state of well-being, characterized by emotions ranging f=
rom contentment to intense joy.
In the past few years psychologists and researchers have been studying peop=
le all over the world to find out what exactly makes us happy. Is it money=
, attitude, culture, memory, health, or altruism? New findings suggest that=
actions have a positive effect on happiness. "Yes! Magazine" has come up =
with a list of scientifically proven strategies for becoming happy. Not s=
urprisingly they neatly correspond to the way God and His messenger Muhamma=
d, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, have taught us to behave=
, which is an indication of the perfection of Islam.
Here in no particular order, are seven "scientifically" proven ways to incr=
ease happiness.
1. Avoid comparisons.
According to Stanford psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky[1], focusing on our ow=
n personal achievement instead of comparing ourselves to others, leads to g=
reater satisfaction. God says in the Quran,=20
"Do not strain your eyes in longing for the things that we have given to so=
me groups of them to enjoy, the splendour of the life of this world through=
which we test them. The provision of your Lord is better and more lasting=
." (Quran 20:131)
2. Smile, even when you don't feel like it.
"Happy people...see possibilities, opportunities, and success. When they t=
hink of the future, they are optimistic, and when they review the past, the=
y tend to savour the high points," say Diener and Biswas-Diener.[2]
Prophet Muhammad , may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said, "D=
o not think little of any good deed, even if it is just greeting your broth=
er with a cheerful smile."[3] and "To smile in the face of your brother is=
charity given on your behalf."[4]
One of Prophet Muhammad's companions said, "Since the day I accepted Islam,=
the Messenger of God would never meet me without a smiling face."[5]The la=
te Islamic scholar Sheikh Ibn Baaz, may Allah have mercy on him, said, "A s=
miling face indicates a good quality and causes blessed results - it indica=
tes that one's heart is free of rancour and it causes affection to grow bet=
ween people".
3. Get out and exercise.
A Duke University study shows that exercise may be just as effective as dru=
gs in treating depression. Prophet Muhammad said: "A strong believer is be=
tter and more beloved in the sight of God than a weak believer."[6] He was=
not only talking in terms of faith and character, but also that optimum he=
alth and fitness were desirable traits in a believer.
4. Make friends and treasure family.
Happier people tend to have good families, friends, and supportive relation=
ships, say Diener and Biswas-Diener.[7] "We don't just need relationships,=
we need close ones" that involve understanding and caring. Allah, the Exa=
lted, says: =20
"Worship God and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kin=
sfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour w=
ho is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet). Veri=
ly, God does not like those who are proud and boastful." (Quran 4:36)
Prophet Muhammad said, "Among the things that bring happiness to a believer=
in this life are a righteous neighbour, a spacious house and a good steed.=
"[8] Islam places great emphasis on the solidarity of families, neighbourh=
oods and the wider community.
5. Say thank you like you mean it.
People who keep gratitude journals on a weekly basis are healthier, more op=
timistic, and more likely to make progress toward achieving personal goals,=
according to author Robert Emmons[9].
At the core of the teachings of Islam is the idea that to be happy or conte=
nt we must be grateful to God, not just for what we perceive to be blessing=
s but for all circumstances. Whatever condition we find ourselves in we ar=
e grateful and sure that it is good for us as long as we are following the =
teachings of God. God said:
"Therefore, remember Me (God) and I will remember you, and be grateful to M=
e (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me." (Quran =
2:152)
And (remember) when God proclaimed: 'If you are grateful I will give you mo=
re (of My Blessings); but if you are ungrateful verily, My punishment is in=
deed severe.' (Quran 14:7)
6. Give it away, give it away now!
Make altruism, and giving in charity, part of your life, and be resolute ab=
out it. Researcher Stephen Post says helping a neighbour, volunteering, or=
donating goods and services results in a "helper's high," and you get more=
health benefits than you would from exercise or quitting smoking.
Islam encourages people to be generous towards family, friends, neighbours,=
strangers and even enemies. This is mentioned repeatedly throughout the Q=
uran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad.
"Say: "Truly, my Lord blesses the provision for whom He wills of His slaves=
, and also restricts it for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in G=
od's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers." (Quran=
34:39)
The people came to the Prophet Muhammad, and asked, "If someone has nothing=
to give, what will he do?" He said, "He should work with his hands and be=
nefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns)." The people f=
urther asked, "If he cannot find even that?" He replied, "He should help t=
he needy who appeal for help." Then the people asked, "If he cannot do tha=
t?" He replied, "Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil=
deeds and this will be regarded as a charitable deed."[10]
7. Put money low on your list of priorities.
People who put money high on their priority list are more at risk for depre=
ssion, anxiety, and low self-esteem, according to researchers Tim Kasser an=
d Richard Ryan. God's messenger said, "Be happy, and hope for what will pl=
ease you. By God, I am not afraid that you will be poor, but I fear that w=
orldly wealth will be bestowed upon you as it was bestowed upon those who l=
ived before you. So you will compete amongst yourselves for it, as they co=
mpeted for it and it will destroy you as it did them."[11]
Happiness is not only intense joy, it also involves contentment. In the ne=
xt article we will examine the role of happiness in Islam and discover that=
following the commandments of God is the path to righteousness, contentmen=
t and happiness.
Footnotes:
[1] The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Wan=
t, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Penguin Press, 2008
[2] Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth, Ed Diener a=
nd Robert Biswas-Diener, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2008
[3] Saheeh Muslim
[4] Saheeh Al-Bukhari
[5] Saheeh Al-Bukhari
[6] Saheeh Muslim
[7] Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth, Ed Diener a=
nd Robert Biswas-Diener, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2008
[8] Reported with a saheeh isnad by al-Hakim.
[9] Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, Robert =
Emmons, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2007
[10] Saheeh Al-Bukhari
[11] Ibid.
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/4322/
Thank you