All praise is due to Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’aala and may His choicest salutations continue to descend upon our Master and Leader Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam.

“He who does righteous deeds be it man or woman and is a believer; We shall cause him to live a good life and We most certainly shall grant them rewards in accordance with the best that they did” (16:97)

The beginning of another Islamic year brings with it many challenges. As a collective we have to contend with the financial meltdown, with India's own 9/11, with global warming, HIV, etc. Likewise, at an individual level we face many difficulties, foremost among them is the elusive quest for a happy and content life. Every human yearns to lead a life of happiness. Happiness is the only goal on earth that all people without exception are seeking to attain. Believers and non believers alike seek to be happy… we all want to be free from fear, anxiety and sorrow. Yet very few people really lead happy lives. Those who pursued fame and fortune in the hope of achieving happiness do not seem to find it even after they have obtained all the luxuries and wealth they have long fought and worked hard to acquire. On the other hand, those who have little or nothing are happy and content with simply having their families and loved ones around them.

Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’aala did not leave us unguided and undirected. Actually, He gave us the freedom to choose a happy life or a miserable one. Happiness lies not in possessing material but in leading a righteous life!

We need to dispel some common misunderstandings regarding happiness:

 Stop Searching For Happiness:
The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness. We are not going to find happiness even if we search for it to the ends of the earth. Happiness is not out there, but inside our hearts and minds. True happiness comes not from a material or physical state but from a mental and spiritual state. A hadîth clearly states, “In the body is a piece of flesh, if that is healthy your entire body is healthy and if that flesh is corrupted your entire body is corrupt. Know full well that it is the heart.”

 Do not wait to be happy:
You don't need to land a new job or change your career. You don't need to find a mate or lose weight. You don't need to buy a car or move to a new house. Being happy requires no change in your personal circumstances or financial life. The Qur’ân says, “With every hardship comes ease” which implies that in every difficulty there is an opportunity to become better, stronger and happier. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.

 Learn to be content:
The whole trouble starts when we want something. Every moment of our lives we keep on wanting something or the other.  The percentage of wishes, which remain unfulfilled, keeps on growing with time. How much is enough? For most of us 'enough' is a little more than what we have. Nabî Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: “The heart of an adult grows younger in two things: Greed for wealth and a desire to live longer.” Our desires grow as we grow older. We must learn to curb our desires. We must learn to be content with what we have. Gratitude creates a state of acceptance which leads to harmony. Ingratitude creates a state of rejection which leads to internal friction.

Know the difference between pleasure and happiness:
It is a blunder on our part that we consider happiness and pleasure to be the same. Pleasure is a result of indulgence… pleasure comes from anything agreeable to our senses to touch, sight, smell, etc. It may contribute to temporary joy but not lasting happiness. We are so engrossed in seeking pleasure that we are unable to understand the difference. Pleasure is gained through the satisfaction of our lust; happiness comes from the state of our heart.  

Stop Comparing With Others:
When you are tempted to compare yourself with others, just think of the millions of homeless children who do not even have access to basic essentials such as food, water, or shelter. Think of the disabled who has to struggle to do the simple tasks which able bodied persons take for granted. A saint says: “Once, I felt bitterly deprived because I did not have shoes to wear on a cold winter morning, till I saw a man without feet limping across.” Stop comparing and start appreciating what you have. “Look at those who have less than you and you will be happy, look at those who have more than you and you will always be sad.”

How do we achieve happiness?

·      Honesty: Be honest to yourself and to others. “Indeed truth is in itself peace whilst falsehood brings doubt. The hypocrites are people with a disease in their hearts.” The disease of deceit and leading a double life creates uncertainty, doubt, fear and anxiety. The first criterion for happiness is to be honest to oneself and to others.

·     Zikr:  One of the greatest means of feeling content and relaxed and of acquiring peace of mind is to remember Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’aala a great deal. That has a great effect in bringing contentment and peace of mind, and relieving worry and distress. Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’aala says, “Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest.” (13:28)

·      Trust in Allâh:  Our lives unfold according to Divine destiny. What afflicts us was never meant to miss us and what misses us was never meant for us. Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’aala treats us as we expect of Him. Develop a bond with your Creator and know who He is by constantly reflecting on His attributes. “I am as my slave thinks of me and I am with him whenever he remembers me.” (Bukhâri & Muslim)

·     Love others: The greatest form of happiness we can experience is to love others. We will never find personal happiness from pursuing our own self happiness. The most miserable of all people are those who are self-centered and selfish. It’s time we reverse that thinking and start to pursue happiness by loving others and making others happy. Perhaps the simplest form of happiness we can experience is to help make a better life for others.

·     Forgive Others: When we forgive others, we put a painful past behind us and open ourselves up to new relationships with Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’aala and other people. By forgiving others, we release ourselves from the emotional bondage of hatred and anger that drains us and opens the door to our own happiness, forgiveness and blessings from Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta’aala.