Showing happiness according to Islam

Islam Explained By Husain Zakariyya Yawale

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Allah says: “They rejoice In the bounty provided by Allah. and with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the glory In the fact that on them is no fear, nor have They (cause to) grieve.” [aal-Imraan: 170] In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah, We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our own evils and our own bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, he is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad, is His servant, and messenger. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon His last and final Apostle, his Household, his companions and all his followers until the end of time.
Happiness, whatever might be its definition, is an act of worship that must not be exercised freely based on mere whims and caprices of the a group of people or by an individual, devoid of Islam's moderation and restraint. However, if it is exercised or expressed within the precincts of the Shari'ah, and for the grounds or reasons so enshrined, it becomes a rewardable and recommendable deed by Allah in both worlds. Otherwise black spots of sins are indelibly recorded as a result, unless repentance is accepted. In fact, even where it is expressed as a result of the admissible causes of the Shari'ah, and somehow exploded beyond the precinct of the Islam's moderation, another wrath is in the queue, except pardoned by the Oft-Forgiving and Oft-Merciful!
Hence, expression of happiness and anger are moderated by the Shari'ah; and that is the difference between Islam from other set of human codes of life or even religions!
Since time, many people tried to define happiness independent of religious inclinations. Philosophers, psychologists, scientists and rational thinkers have advanced several definitions of happiness. Bellow is a list few most common definitions across cultures, careers and traditions. , Here they are:
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony — Mahatma Gandhi
Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values — Ayn Rand
Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation — William H. Sheldon
Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing — George Sheehan
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence — Aristotle
Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude — Denis Waitley
Happiness is thus a consequence of accomplishment of responsibility with or without effort which transcends the inner joyful emotion of an individual victory or success, and expressed according set norms and values of Islam. Therefore, happiness should not a barbaric expression of one's emotion flanked by equally indecorum associates with noise blast accross neighbourhood. That is to say, expression your happiness should not cause the sadness of others, nor becomes a calamity to you subsequently. It becomes a calamity if all bounds of Allah are transgressed in the process; liqour is served, modesty is violated and others peace and right to tranquility is abused!
Allah says: “Then do ye remember Me; I will remember you. be grateful to me, and reject not Faith.” [al-Baqarah: 152]
This is because a grateful servant finds great happiness in doing the deeds that are pleasing to his or her Benefactor. He says: “And Remember! your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): ‘If ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you; but if ye Show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.”’ [Ibrahin: 7]
Abdullah Ibn Abbas once said that gratitude means to obey Allah internally and externally with all limbs of the body. According to Ibn Mas`ud: "Allah has placed ease and happiness in certainty of faith and contentment. He has placed worry and misery in discontent and doubt." Other scholars said that gratitude is that one should exalt and glorify Allah so much so that he or she becomes safe from being ungrateful and disloyal Him, the Most high!
When chapter 48 of the Qur'an was revealed to our beloved Apostle in which Allah conferred on him His victory and confirmed His everlasting forgiveness in the following words:
“Verily we have granted Thee a Manifest Victory: That Allah may forgive Thee Thy faults of the past and those to follow; fulfill His favour to thee; and guide Thee on the straight way; And that Allah may help Thee with powerful help.” [al-Fathi: 1-3]
The Apostle of Allah became more beseeching in his submission to Allah, to the extent that his foot slept (became very heavy). A'I'shah, the mother of the believers asked him, 'Why do you pray for such a long time after all Allah has forgiven you all your present and future sins?" He replied, " Would I not be a thankful servant?" [Muslim]
Thus, happiness should endear you to Allah the more because your thankfulness and appreciation is the outcome of your devotion, rather disobedience into glare transgress through show off usually by indulging into unholy and immodest exhilaration and funs.
Therefore, 'Happiness is an emotion. So is sadness, love, hate, curiosity, revulsion, excitement, jealousy, contentment, depression, anxiety, fear, guilt and anger.'
Allah says: “Say: ‘In the bounty of Allah. and In His Mercy,- In that let them rejoice:’ that is better than the (wealth) They hoard.” [Yunus: 58]
The emotion of cheerfulness should not be caused merely by amusing your whims and caprices; desires many at time end in catastrophe. Happiness is not merely a life lived by accumulating moments of pleasure and material aggrandizement. It is rather, a long lasting and enduring contentment in devotion and total submission to the Beneficent, the Merciful! It is a recompense and incentive for accomplishing a good character and spiritual values in life. Values vary from one person to another; some of them are a good and well paid career, vitreous wife(s), faithful and enduring friendship, business success, and generally successful accomplishment of set goals and objectives.
"Happiness is not the satisfaction of whatever rational or irrational wishes you might attempt to take pleasure in. Happiness is a condition of non-contradictory delight; a delight without subsequent penalty or guilt for trespassing the bounds of the Shari'ah. 'Rational' happiness without guiltiness or remorse is not possible and far-fetched, as far as Islam is concerned. Allah says:
“But when They forgot the warning They had received, we opened to them the gates of all (good) things, until, In the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts, on a sudden, we called them to account, when Lo! They were plunged In despair!” [an-Aam: 44]
Thus, rationalism has terrible limitations because it is a product of human minds and thoughts; and humans are imperfect creatures. Moreso, rationalization is not possible without information, and divine revelation makes thinking completely unnecessary. Thus, by having guidance from your Lord on any giving purpose, you simply know and be guided aright. With divine revelation, there is no resolution to make, circumstances to define or actions to be taken as product of rationalization. Therefore, rationalization and thinking are reparation for not only insufficient knowledge but also deficient information.
Allah says: “Think not that those who exult In what They have brought about, and love to be praised for what They have not done,- think escape the penalty. for them is a penalty grievous indeed.” [aal-Imraan: 188]
In essence, Islam comes with a comprehensive way of life. It provides rules, regulations and even procedures to prepare a Muslim for life in both worlds. That is to say, Islam ensures your well being in this world as well as in the life to come. It comes to protect the highest needs of man: life, reason, wealth, lineage, and faith. All these must be used to achieve the ever lasting happiness in the life to come.
Allah says: “Allah hath promised to believers, men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions In Gardens of everlasting bliss. but the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah. that is the Supreme felicity.” [at-Taubah: 72]
In Islam, happiness or thankfulness is not expressed through holding big and expensive parties, picnics, dances or festivals. Happiness is more or less a feeling that resides in the heart and blossoms onto the face, and shared by friends and well wishers. It is portrayed by peace of mind, tranquility, a sense of well-being, and a relaxed temperament. It comes as a result of proper behavior, both inward and outward, and is inspired by strong faith in Allah (SWT). Allah says: “Whosoever does right, whether male or female, and is a believer, we shall make them live a good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.” [an-Nahl: 97]
Finally, happiness should be understood to mean an act of worship which must be expressed in line with the provisions of the Shari'ah. But the most important aspect is that the purpose must be for what is prescribed rather than what is proscribed. Happiness is not a permanent emotion just as sadness is also intermittent; either instances are taste from Allah and a reminder to keep in perpetual touch with Him, the Most High! Allah says:
“Every soul shall have a taste of death: and we test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to us must ye return.” [al-Anbiyaa'i: 35]
And: “If we give man a taste of Mercy from Ourselves, and then withdraw it from him, Behold! He is In despair and (falls into) blasphemy. But if we give Him a taste of (our) favours after adversity hath touched him, He is sure to say, "All evil has departed from me:" Behold! He falls into exultation and pride.” [Hud: 9-10]
And: “Allah doth enlarge, or grant by (strict) measure, the sustenance (which He giveth) to whom so He pleaseth. (the wordly) rejoice In the life of This world: but the life of This world is but Little comfort In the Hereafter.” [ar-Ra'ad 36]. “When we give men a taste of Mercy, They exult thereat: and when some evil afflicts them because of what their (own) hands have sent forth, Behold, They are In despair!” [ar-Rum: 26]
And: “When we give men a taste of Mercy, They exult thereat: and when some evil afflicts them because of what their (own) hands have sent forth, Behold, They are In despair!” [ar-Rum: 36]
And: “Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction In the remembrance of Allah. for without doubt In the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” [ar-Ra’ad: 28]
May Allah grant us legitimate ways and means to happiness here, and everlasting happiness in the grate beyond!