Happiness in Islam : Happiness is Found in Sincere Worship 3
Description: God's commandments are designed to bring about happiness.
In Part 1, we discussed theevolution of happiness in western thought, and i=
ts effect on western culture. In part 2, we re-examined the definitions of=
happiness and tried to understand the relationship between science and hap=
piness. Now, in part 3, we will learn about happiness in the teachings of =
Islam. =20
Islam is the religion that is more than a religion; it is the religion that=
is a complete way of life. Nothing is too small or too big to be covered =
by the teachings of Islam. Rejoice and be happy, remain positive and be at=
peace.[1]This is what Islam teaches us, through the Quran and the authenti=
c teachings of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon=
him. Every single one of God's commandments aims to bring happiness to th=
e individual. This applies in all aspects of life, worship, economics, and=
society.
"Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female - while he (or she) i=
s a true believer verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world wi=
th respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certai=
nly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Parad=
ise in the Hereafter)." (Quran 16:97)
As most of us have come to realise, happiness is that ethereal quality that=
encompasses contentment and peacefulness; it is the soft joy that causes o=
ur lips, faces and hearts to smile. It is determined by faith in God and =
obedience to Him. Thus happiness embodies the peace security and submissio=
n that is Islam. The injunctions and regulations of Islam reinforce the ha=
ppiness that comes from knowing God and they help to guarantee humankind's =
happiness during life in this world. However, Islam also emphasizes that t=
he life of this world is nothing more than a means of attaining the Hereaft=
er. By following the guidelines of Islam it is possible to be happy while =
awaiting our eternal happiness.
Sometimes, in order to achieve happiness, people attempt to follow complica=
ted paths; they fail to see the easier path that is Islam. Happiness can b=
e found in the solace that comes from being upon the truth. It can be ach=
ieved by sincere worship, hastening to do virtuous, noble and beautiful dee=
ds, and by performing acts of kindness or giving charity. These things all=
have the potential to make us happy, every day, under any circumstances. =
Even giving the smallest charity, in order to please God, can bring a smile=
to your face and a feeling of joy to your heart.
"And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking God's pleasure wh=
ile they are sure and certain that God will reward them (for their spending=
in His Cause), is the likeness of a garden on a height; heavy rain falls o=
n it and it doubles its yield of harvest. And if it does not receive heavy=
rain, light rain suffices it." (Quran 2:265)
Prophet Muhammad said, "Indeed amazing are the affairs of a believer! They=
are all for his benefit. If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and th=
is is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres=
, and this is good for him."[2] The nature of the human condition means th=
at amongst the happiness there may be great sorrow and within the pain and =
despair there may be great joy. A believer will accept God's decree for hi=
m and lead a happy life free from total despair or unbearable pain.
Islam has the answer to all the problems that afflict humankind, and knowin=
g this leads to happiness, because it allows us to look beyond the need for=
self-gratification, and the need to acquire possessions. Following the =
teaching of Islam and striving to please God is a constant reminder that th=
is life is but a transient pause on the way to life everlasting. =20
"But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this =
Qur'an nor acts on its teachings) verily, for him is a life of hardship, an=
d We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection." (Quran 20: 124)
God says in the Quran, "Verily! I am Allah! None has the right to be wors=
hipped but I, so worship Me." (20:14). The key to happiness is knowing an=
d worshipping God. When one worships and remembers the Creator as He sho=
uld be worshipped and remembered, happiness can be observed all around us=
, at any given moment and even on the darkest night. It is there in the sm=
ile of a child, in the touch of a comforting hand, in the rain on parched e=
arth, or in the smell of spring. These things can make our hearts truly ha=
ppy because they are manifestations of God's mercy and love. Happiness can=
be found in worship.
To find true happiness we must seek to know God, especially through His nam=
es and attributes. Seeking beneficial knowledge brings happiness. The ang=
els flutter their wings and keep records of those who seek knowledge; the m=
ere thought of this brings a smile of happiness to the face of a believer. =
Our righteous predecessors understood the inherent happiness and joy to b=
e found in striving to be close to God.
Outstanding Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah, may God have mercy on him,once s=
aid, "I once became ill and the physician told me that reading and giving t=
alks on knowledge would only exacerbate my condition. I told him that I co=
uld not abandon these pursuits. I asked him whether the body becomes stron=
ger and sickness is repelled if the soul feels happy and joyful. He replie=
d in the affirmative, so I said my soul finds joy, comfort and strength in =
knowledge".
Perfect happiness will only be available to us if we spend life everlasting=
in Paradise. It is only there that we will find total peace, tranquillity=
and security. It is only there that we will be free of the fear, anxiety =
and pain that are part of the human condition. However the guidelines prov=
ided by Islam allow us, imperfect humans, to seek happiness in this world. =
The key to being happy in this world and the next is seeking the pleasure =
of God, and worshipping Him, without associating partners with Him.
And of them there are some who say: "Our Lord! Give us in this world that w=
hich is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the =
torment of the Fire!"(Quran 2:201)
Footnotes:
[1] Al Qarni, Aaidh Ibn Abdullah, (2003), Don't be sad. International Isla=
mic Publishing House, Saudi Arabia.
[2] Saheeh Muslim
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/4342/
Thank you