Happiness
in Islam is defined as "an inner feeling experienced by a person,
manifested in tranquility of the soul, peace of mind, contentment of spirit,
and a clear conscience, resulting from upright conduct, both outwardly and
inwardly, driven by the strength of faith."
The upright
conduct of a believer is a source of happiness in this life, preserving their
life, intellect, wealth, lineage, and faith, and in their eternal happiness in
the Hereafter. Happiness is attained only through faith and righteous deeds.
Among the characteristics of a believer who consistently performs good deeds
are inner peace and tranquility of soul. Their entire life is a struggle and
striving in the path of God for the benefit of their community and nation. Some
may mistakenly believe that faith is solely a cause of happiness. This is a
limited understanding of the fruits of faith, which acts as a barrier against
the obstacles to happiness for those who possess it. The believer knows with
certainty that he is tested in his life, and that these trials are among the
reasons for his practice of faith, which manifests in patience, determination,
trust in God, reliance upon Him, seeking His help, and fearing Him. All of
these are sources of virtuous character that motivate him to do good and repel
what disturbs his peace and brings him worry and sadness. The believer's
attachment to God makes his heart tranquil and his soul content, accepting
whatever befalls him, whether good or bad.
The Quranic
verses affirm that this worldly life is the path to the Hereafter. And that
faith and good deeds in this world are the path of the believer to a good
worldly life and a good reward in the Hereafter, as God Almighty says, “Whoever
works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true
believer (of Islamic Monotheism), 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).” (Surat An-Nah l: 97) And in His Almighty
words: "Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state
(i.e., pure from all evil and worshipping none but Allah Alone) saying (to
them): Salamun 'Alaikum (peace be on you), enter you Paradise because of (the
good) which you used to do (in the world)." (Surat An-Nahl 16:32); and in
His Almighty words: "And (when) it is said to those who are the Muttaqun
(pious—see V. 2:2), 'What is it that your Lord has sent down?' They say,
"That which is good." For those who do good in this world, there is
good, and the home of the Hereafter will be better. And excellent indeed will
be the home (i.e. Paradise) of the Muttaqun (pious - see V. 2:2).” (Surah Nahl
16:30). This worldly life is not without trials; it is ever-changing, shifting
from ease to hardship, from health to sickness, from poverty to wealth, or vice
versa. These trials train a person in what his Lord has commanded him regarding
the means of tranquility, happiness, and contentment, such as patience,
willpower, determination, reliance on God, courage, generosity, good character,
and other virtues, as the Almighty says, “And certainly, We shall test you with
something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, and fruits, but give glad
tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). 155 Who, when afflicted with
calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong, and truly, to Him we shall
return." 156 They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e., blessings,
etc.) (i.e., who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they
are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.
157" (Surat al-Baqarah 2:155-157). Contentment with what God has decreed
and submission to Him are the path to happiness, peace of mind, and security
for the believer. They are what give the believer's life meaning and purpose,
as God Almighty says: "They who believe and do not mix their belief with
injustice—those will have security, and they are [rightly] guided" (Surat
Al-Anam 6:82). Faith is not only a cause for attaining happiness but also a
means of removing its obstacles, as God Almighty says: "If you are
suffering, they too are suffering as you are suffering." And don't be weak
in the pursuit of the enemy; if you are suffering (hardships), then surely,
they (too) are suffering (hardships) as you are suffering, but you have a hope
from Allah (for the reward, i.e., Paradise) for that which they hope not, and
Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Surat An-Nisa: 104). And that being
adorned with virtuous morals motivates a person to be kind to creation, as in
the words of God. Almighty: “Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa
(virtue, righteousness, and piety); but do not help one another in sin and
transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment.” (Surat
Al-Ma’idah: 2); and His saying, may He be glorified and exalted: “The good deed
and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one that is better
(i.e., Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger
and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! he, between whom and
you there was enmity, (will become) as though he were a close friend. 34 But
none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient, and none
is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of the happiness in the
Hereafter, i.e., Paradise, and in this world, of a high moral character). 35”
(Surat Fussilat: 34-35). And His saying, may He be glorified and exalted:
“Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah—Islamic Monotheism), and whose
hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, verily, in the remembrance of
Allah do hearts find rest.” (Surat Ar-Ra'd: 28). And the greatest of people in
character is our master, the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant
him peace, as in the saying of God, may He be glorified and exalted. And Allah
Almighty says, “And verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) are on an exalted standard of
character.” (Surat Al-Qalam: 4); and in the words of Allah Almighty: “And by the
Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and
harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from you; so pass over (their
faults), and ask (Allah's) forgiveness for them, and consult them in the
affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah;
certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” (Surat Al Imran:
159). Therefore, emulating the character of our Prophet Muhammad is one of the
characteristics of a true believer.
The
Prophetic Sunnah classified people in this world and the hereafter into two
categories: happy and miserable. This is based on what is narrated on the
authority of our master Ali, may God honor his face, that he said, “We were at
a funeral in Baqi’ al-Gharqad, and the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him
peace, came to us and sat down, and we sat around him. He had a stick with him,
and he lowered it and began to poke with his stick. Then he said, “There is no
one among you, no soul that has been breathed into, except that its place in
Paradise and Hell has been written, and except that it has been written as
miserable or happy.” A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, should we not rely on
what is written for us and abandon work? Whoever among us is destined for
happiness will perform the deeds of the people of happiness, and whoever among
us is destined for misery will perform the deeds of the people of misery.” He
said, “As for the people of happiness, they will be facilitated to perform the
deeds of happiness, and as for the people of misery, they will be facilitated
to perform the deeds of misery.” Misery.” Then he recited, “{As for him who
gives and fears Allah}” (Narrated by: Ali, may Allah honor his face; Source:
Sahih Muslim); and that happiness is a long life with repentance to Allah, as
narrated on the authority of Jabir ibn Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with them
both, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“Do not wish for death, for the terror of the grave is severe, and among the
blessings is that a servant’s life be long and that Allah grant him repentance”
(Narrated by: Jabir ibn Abdullah; Source: Da’if al-Targhib). And that the
woman, a righteous wife, a comfortable dwelling, and a suitable mount are the
source of happiness, as narrated on the authority of Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas (may
God be pleased with him), who said: “The Messenger of God (peace and blessings
be upon him) said, ‘Among the sources of happiness for the son of Adam are
three things: a righteous wife, a comfortable dwelling, and a suitable mount
(meaning anything that is ridden, whether an animal, a car, or anything else,
whose advantages include speed, comfort, and stability so that one does not
fear falling or injuring one's limbs).’” And the disturbance of the body), and among
the misfortunes of the son of Adam are a bad wife, a bad dwelling, and a bad
mount” (Narrated by: Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas; Source: Majma’ al-Zawa’id). And that
the sweetness of faith is the substance of joy and happiness, and it is not
attained except through limited actions and exerted efforts that place it above
worldly treasures and fleeting pleasures, as narrated on the authority of Anas
on the authority of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, who
said, “There are three qualities; whoever possesses them will find the
sweetness of faith: that God and His Messenger are more beloved to him than
anything else.” From other than them, and that one should love a person only
for the sake of God, and that one should hate to return to disbelief as much as
one hates to be thrown into the fire” (Narrated by Anas bin Malik; Source:
Sahih al-Jami’). And in what was narrated on the authority of al-Abbas bin
Abdul-Muttalib, may God be pleased with him, that he heard the Messenger of
God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, say: “He has tasted the sweetness
of faith who is content with God as his Lord, with Islam as his religion, and
with Muhammad as his Messenger,” (Narrated by al-Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib;
Source: (Sahih Muslim), and in what was narrated on the authority of Abu
Hurairah, that the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace,
said: “There are three qualities, whoever possesses them will find the
sweetness of faith: that God and His Messenger are more beloved to him than
anything else; that he loves a person only for the sake of God, the Exalted and
Glorified; and that he hates to return to disbelief after God has saved him
from it, just as he hates to be thrown into the Fire.” (Narrator: Anas bin
Malik; Source: Sahih al-Bukhari).
تعليقات