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 its   
   effect on western culture.  In part 2, we re-examined the definitions of   
   happiness and tried to understand the relationship between science and   
   happiness.  Now, in part 3, we    
   will learn about happiness in the teachings of Islam.      
      
   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 authentic 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 the individual.  This applies in all   
   aspects of life,    
   worship, economics, and society.   
      
   "Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female - while he (or she) is a   
   true believer verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with   
   respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a   
   reward in proportion to    
   the best of what they used to do (i.e.  Paradise 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 our   
   lips, faces and hearts to smile.   It is determined by faith in God and   
   obedience to Him.  Thus    
   happiness embodies the peace security and submission that is Islam.  The   
   injunctions and regulations of Islam reinforce the happiness that comes from   
   knowing God and they help to guarantee humankind's happiness during life in   
   this world.  However, Islam    
   also emphasizes that the life of this world is nothing more than a means of   
   attaining the Hereafter.  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 complicated   
   paths; they fail to see the easier path that is Islam.  Happiness can be found   
   in the solace that comes from being upon the truth.   It can be achieved by   
   sincere worship,    
   hastening to do virtuous, noble and beautiful deeds, 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 while   
   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 on 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 this   
   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 that 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 him and lead a happy life free from   
   total despair or    
   unbearable pain.   
      
   Islam has the answer to all the problems that afflict humankind, and knowing   
   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 this life is but a   
   transient pause on the way to life everlasting.      
      
   "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, and   
   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   
   worshipped but I, so worship Me."  (20:14).  The key to happiness is knowing   
   and worshipping God.    When one worships and remembers the Creator as He   
   should 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 smile of a child, in the touch   
   of a comforting hand, in the rain on parched earth, or in the smell of   
   spring.  These things can    
   make our hearts truly happy 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 names   
   and attributes.  Seeking beneficial knowledge brings happiness.  The angels   
   flutter their wings and keep records of those who seek knowledge; the mere   
   thought of this brings a    
   smile of happiness to the face of a believer.   Our righteous predecessors   
   understood the inherent happiness and joy to be found in striving to be close   
   to God.   
      
   Outstanding Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah, may God have mercy on him,once   
   said, "I once became ill and the physician told me that reading and giving   
   talks on knowledge would only exacerbate my condition.  I told him that I   
   could not abandon these    
   pursuits.  I asked him whether the body becomes stronger and sickness is   
   repelled if the soul feels happy and joyful.  He replied 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 provided 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   
   which 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 Islamic   
   Publishing House, Saudi Arabia.   
   [2] Saheeh Muslim   
      
   http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/4342/   
      
   Thank you   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)