Happiness

Happiness isn't something easy to define. It could mean different things to different people. To me, happiness is being content and thankful for what you have, whatever that may be. Being able to live your life in the service of your creator, and with that, live the best life possible. 

We often find ourselves caught up in situations and things we feel are important, while in the grand scheme of things, they really aren't. It might be money, friends or family that you are stressed out about. And while these things play an important role in your life, they shouldn't define your happiness. 

So how do we create a happy environment for ourselves? And how do we let go of the things that aren't important? The first step is to reevaluate what is important to you. As a Muslim the first thing that should come to mind is Islam. If it doesn't, ask yourself why Allah isn't the first and most important part of your life. Isn't He the one who created you, and all the things you deem important? 

Allah tells us in the Quran:

“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”

[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56] 

If this is the reason for our existence, shouldn't it be fitting that this is the most important thing in our lives? If this is the true motive for us being on this Earth, can we then also agree that there is no true happiness except through worshipping Allah?

Having established that Islam should indeed be our first priority, let us further look into how to attain happiness through an Islamic lifestyle.

Gratitude

Its easy to get stuck on the negatives in our lives. We often focus on problems and annoyances rather than the blessings we've received. I myself have found that focussing on the positive, and not the negative, has great benefits in all parts of your life.

Of course life isn't always easy, and I'm not saying that there isn't any room for sadness or off days (although if you think about it, there really isn't). This is something normal, and completely blocking negative feelings would be unhealthy as well.

Not only has Allah commanded us to be grateful to him, realising what we have received is a good way to balance out negativity. If we would truly look at all the things bestowed upon us, we wouldn't be able to count them.

He says (interpretation of the meaning)

“Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me” [2:152] 

And Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them. Verily, man is indeed an extreme wrongdoer, a disbeliever (an extreme ingrate who denies Allah’s blessings by disbelief, and by worshipping others besides Allah, and by disobeying Allah and His Prophet Muhammad”

[14:34]

Besides that, we should also realise that none of our hardships or pain go unnoticed by Allah, and both of them have a form of good in them, in Sha Allah.

On the authority of Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (May Allah be pleased with him) it is related that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,

“How amazing is the affair of the believer. There is good for him in everything and that is for no one but the believer. If good times come his way, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him, and if hardship comes his way, he endures it patiently and that is better for him.”

[Muslim]

Repentance and forgiveness

We are often our own biggest enemies. Sabotaging and telling ourselves we are not worthy of happiness. Mostly because of who we have become or the things that we've done in the past.

Dear brother or sister, don't block yourself from happiness because you think you can't change, or because you think your past is unforgivable. Allah has opened the doors to forgiveness, and He loves those who repent and turn back to Him. Don't despair, even the worst of us can become better.

Remind yourself of Umar ibn Al Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who was on his way to kill the messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) when he accepted the message of Islam. Before he became a Muslim, the people used to joke that they thought his donkey would accept Islam before him. He turned out to be one of the greatest leaders and trusted companions of the prophet. (Sallalahu alayhi wasalam)

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ مَا دَعَوْتَنِي وَرَجَوْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ فِيكَ وَلَا أُبَالِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لَوْ بَلَغَتْ ذُنُوبُكَ عَنَانَ السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ اسْتَغْفَرْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَلَا أُبَالِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ لَوْ أَتَيْتَنِي بِقُرَابِ الْأَرْضِ خَطَايَا ثُمَّ لَقِيتَنِي لَا تُشْرِكُ بِي شَيْئًا لَأَتَيْتُكَ بِقُرَابِهَا مَغْفِرَةً

Allah the Exalted said: O son of Adam, if you call upon me and place your hope in me, I will forgive you without any reservation. O son of Adam, if you have sins piling up to the clouds and then ask for my forgiveness, I will forgive you without any reservation. O son of Adam, if you come to me with enough sins to fill the earth and you meet me without associating a partner with me, I will come to you with enough forgiveness to fill the earth.

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3540, Grade: Sahih

Getting your stuff together.

At this point you might be thinking; "sure, nice you're telling me all this. How on Earth am I going to implement this into my life?" The answer to that question is "that is entirely up to you".

Like was mentioned in the beginning, different things work for different people. But to not leave you hanging, here is some practical advice.

* Study Islam

especially the life of the prophet (may peace be upon him). He is the best example of how to live a happy and content life, even though he didn't have much.

* Start with the basics.

Start praying on time and focus on performing small but consistent acts of worship.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.”

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4240

* Set goals for yourself.

Make them small and attainable. Ticking off goals makes you feel accomplished, which consequently makes you happier.

*Remind yourself of the good things in your life daily.

You can even keep a diary. (For the men we will call it a productivity planner, to keep it manly)

*Let go of anger

Anger is a big obstacle when it comes to happiness. It not only keeps you from moving forward, it also takes a toll on you mentally and physically.

Abu Darda reported:

I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me about a deed that will admit me into Paradise.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not be angry and you will enter Paradise.”

Source: al-Muʻjam al-Awsaṭ 2411

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani

* Stop comparing yourself to others

We live in a time where everyone seems to have things you want. Seems to look like how you want to look and seems to do what you're not able to.

Comparing yourself to, or envying others doesn't isn't anything but frustrating. You are you. There is no point in measuring yourself to someone who is complete different, with a different life and quite frankly, their own problems.

Focus on bettering yourself. And realise that those people are just like you, being tested. Even if they seem to have more than you, this life is nothing but a temporary enjoyment. It a prison for the believers, and a Paradise for the disbelievers.

Allah says:

O my people, this worldly life is only [temporary] enjoyment, and indeed, the Hereafter - that is the home of [permanent] settlement.

[40:39]

* Smile, connect and give.

Positivity creates positivity. And one of the best ways to create this is to give in charity. It's proven from research that giving others is one of the most effective way of becoming happier. And remember, smiling at and greeting your brothers is a form of charity too.

Spend time with your loved ones and take pleasure in the small things of life.

Creating a supportive environment

To maintain this happiness, it is important to surround yourself with people who share that (Islamic) mindset. People who encourage you to do good, instead of those who tempt you to do the bas. We all know that friend that influences you in a negative way.

Ban constantly negative people from your life, or at least try to be the positive influence in theirs.

Our beloved prophet (may peace be upon him) also emphasised the importance of having friends who remind you of Allah, and how much we are like the ones we associate ourselves with.

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.”

Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 4833

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to An-Nawawi

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ‏ الرَّجُلُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَحَدُكُمْ مَنْ يُخَالِلُ

4833 سنن أبي داود كِتَاب الْأَدَبِ الرجل على دين خليله فلينظر أحدكم من يخالل

المحدث النووي خلاصة حكم المحدث إسناده صحيح

Last but not least. I want to ask Allah to grant us all a happy and fulfilling life. May he Grant us forgiveness and courage. May he allow us to enter jannah and may he unite us all as one ummah.

Ameen.

If you want to join us trying to become happier through Islam, please join our muslimgroup.

t.me/muslimgroup

You can find the link in the channel.