Lasting Happiness from the Viewpoint of Islam | ||
Lasting Happiness from the Viewpoint of Islam Mankind by nature is inclined towards beauty, and pursues ways of happiness and prosperity. Philosophers and psychiatrists have their views in this regard and have expressed different ideas for achieving prosperity. It is, however, faith in God the Almighty Creator, which guides man towards real happiness. It is here that Islam comes to the rescue of the human societies by opening for them the path for perpetual bliss through emphasis on the transient nature of this world and the journey into afterlife. It says that the sufferings of worldly life does not mean gloom or the end, since for the pious and the Godwary, it is the virtuous deeds during life that ensures for them perpetual bliss and real happiness after death. Some persons think happiness lies in acquiring wealth and increasing bank balances, while others think that it is power or fame which might bring happiness. These are absolutely absurd misconceptions, as those who have wealth, property, power, and fame, will certainly testify in view of the fact that despite these apparent blessings in the sights of others, they have actually been unable to achieve happiness, peace of mind, tranquility of heart, and prosperity in its real sense. Islam shows to us the path toward prosperity by opening for us the ways of achieving happiness in both worldly life and in the Hereafter. The Holy Qur'an reminds us of persons like Prophet Solomon (PBUH) who despite acquiring wealth and power never forgot God. The Divine Book says that since Solomon and similar persons who had been granted worldly blessings, always thanked God and strove in His way, they will enjoy the lasting bliss of afterlife including perpetual happiness in Paradise. The Holy Qur'an also presents us the accounts of the life of the unfortunate wealthy like Qaroun or Korah, whose lack of faith and ingratitude towards the blessings of God, not only deprived them of peace of mind and prosperity in this world, but brought swift punishment from the Divine Court, thereby damning them in afterlife as well. In ayahs 76 to 83 of Surah Qasas we read that that Korah who lived in the time of Prophet Moses (PBUH) was very proud of his wealth, and instead of thanking God, considered it to be the product of his knowledge and shrewdness. His flaunting and ostentatious display of his wealth through the wearing of expensive ornaments, made people who liked the material and transient pleasures of the world to think how fortunate and prosperous Korah was! But God decreed that Korah and the wealth he had hoarded be swallowed by the earth, so that people understand that nothing can save the faithless from Divine Wrath. There are eternal lessons in the anecdotes presented to us by the Holy Qur'an so that we avoid vanity and seek real, God-oriented happiness. In our times also, there are people who wax proud and behave arrogantly towards others, on the flimsy basis of the power and wealth they have, little knowing that these things are bound to perish. Unfortunately, in every society we come across some poor persons, who because of their weakness of faith, look with envy towards the rich and the powerful, thinking them to be happy, and longing that if only they too had such properties and power, they would have also been prosperous. These are indeed wrong notions, far removed from the truth, since as we said earlier wealth and power never bring peace of mind and tranquility of heart. Such people fail to understand that they themselves could be more happy and contented than the rich and the powerful, if they thank God for whatever means and resources they have. Islam calls on Muslims to be obedient to God and to earn lawful and halal livelihood through sincere work. This does not mean that Islam does not want the virtuous Muslims to own a big house, have a good spouse, keep healthy, enjoy of the divine blessings God has granted them in life. For instance, children and family are among the pleasures and means of happiness given by God to mankind. In the same manner, the pursuit of knowledge, scientific inventions, and the services provided to fellow-humans, are means of happiness for the faithful. Islam, however, by pointing towards the transient blessings of life, shows us the way towards the lasting bliss of afterlife that is the result of virtue and good deeds. In several ayahs, the Holy Qur'an jolts our conscience by presenting the status and the example of the unhappy and happy people in afterlife. For instance it says: "Then (some) of them shall be unhappy and (others) happy." "So as to those who are unhappy, they shall be in the fire, for them shall be sighing and groaning in it." "Abiding therein so long as the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord please, surely Your Lord is the Mighty doer of what He intends." "And as to those who are made happy, they shall be in the garden, abiding in it as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord pleases, a gift which shall never be cut off". In the Holy Qur'an we also read the parable of the person who thinking that his luxuriant garden was lasting, became proud and forgot the duties decreed by God. Then one morning to his shock, the garden was in shambles with trees destroyed and the water source dried up. This should make us aware that worldly wealth is not lasting. The same is the case with knowledge and one need not feel proud of it or deprive others of it, in view of God's saying in the Holy Qur'an: "And you are not given aught of knowledge but a little." Thus, the knowledge that does not bring pride and arrogance and which is used in the way of God for the benefit and welfare of people is valuable and will bring lasting bliss and pleasures. It is here that we understand real happiness and contentment in life by seeing the pleasure with which a God-fearing doctor treats poor patients without asking them for a fee, or the charity given by philanthropic persons to the have-nots including contributing to the relief efforts for deprived and crisis-hit places like where people are suffering because of famine. These are the means of achieving not just happiness and pleasures in life but eternal bliss in afterlife. In short, it is faith in God, piety and doing of good deeds that bring us peace of mind, tranquility of heart, and real sense of happiness. These were the goals of all Prophets and Divine Leaders, and as Martyr Ayatollah Morteza Motaharri writes in one of his books: God sent Prophets to show us the way towards happiness in life and bliss in afterlife. They warned us that lies, treason, hatred, deceit, selfishness, greed for power and hoarding of wealth are certainly not the way towards happiness and tranquility.
Source: english.irib.ir | ||
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