In Search of Happiness

Author: Dr. Muhammad Al Abdu
Translated from Arabic to English by Abu Abdullah

 

Every human in this life of the world longs for happiness and searches for it but first the question arises: What is happiness? It is wealth after extreme poverty or good health after sickness and strength after weakness. Or is it differentiation with wisdom and virtue?  Is it fulfilling desires and that man lives completely free without restrictions doing what he likes, even if it is against morality and religion? All these matters make it possible to help human mental state. Happiness is a real thing, not mental. So a scholar is happy with knowledge, a generous man is happy with generosity, and a hard worker is happy with the hard work. All of them are greater than he who is happy by eating, and drinking and acquiring things. Are these things the end of human dreams and his future?

Man, by nature always desires other things. He desires to get better or more beautiful things. So a rich man wants something else. Those who realize its idea search for what is greater. There is no end except that man reaches Allah, and is satisfied with Him and finds peace with Him through his worship of Him. And He is with him, protecting him and guiding him. When Omar Bin Abdul Aziz became the Khalifa, he aimed for himself something higher. He said “And nothing is everlasting except His Face”

Whatever man does he is contended. In the world there is devastating pain and sadness, so if one works for the Hereafter this sadness is cured and there is no other path (to happiness).

Happiness is that man has a clear goal which he strives for. This is the big aim confirmed by Revelations. Whenever he exerts himself in this path he is satisfied. Belief in Allah provides man with purification of his soul and mental peace; and courage in his heart. So do not feel very happy concerning what befalls you nor be sad about what is lost. When we look at a man’s face, we can perceive the sadness within him, even if his exterior in terms of his clothes and his smile deny this. The rivalry in acquiring things takes a big portion of their concentration and closes for them the window of true happiness. From among the miracles of the Quran is that it describes this prominent phenomenon which is taking place in our times. The Most High said: “They will pile up wealth, until they will visit the graves”. In such manner, life hastens away from them, so that they spent their time increasing (wealth) until death comes to them.

Happiness is not in comfort that most people strive for. Rather, happiness for the most part is in difficulty, and solving the problems with a satisfied soul and overcoming weakness. The inert man is who does not want to face great task and dangers. This inert man lives completely on others like a funeral corpse being carried on the shoulders of others. The happiness in pain which is followed by success, and in the sadness that is followed by joy and opening of the chest, and in subjugating what is in the universe to reform humans and to make people realize the meaning of humanity.