Islam’s View Point on Happiness

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Happiness is a mental state in which an individual feels joy and prosperity. This definition is almost the same in every culture but the reasons causing happiness are not the same everywhere as they are tied to social and individual beliefs.

Happiness is an important aspect of one’s life. Islam stresses happiness but does not deem every kind of it as permissible because some types of happiness are false and temporary. Accordingly, there are some verses in the Quran that recommend happiness and some others that ban it.

Both happiness and sadness come from Allah Almighty; “That it is He who causes to laugh and causes to weep.” (Surah An-Najm, verse 43) Certainly, God’s blessings create joy and as Allah’s mercies are unlimited, the joy created by them is better than transient ones. This is why God tells Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “Say: 'In the Bounty of Allah and His Mercy let them rejoice, it (the Koran) is better than that which they hoard.” (Surah Yunus, verse 58)

People equipped with a strong faith also have a calm and happy spirit because they have handed over their affairs to God and make honest efforts to improve their lives. God makes a promise in the Quran: “Those who believe and did good deeds shall be well pleased in a garden.” (Surah Ar-Rum, verse 15)

Pride or humiliation of others are not good sources of happiness because a joy that is created by abundant wealth or a higher position is transient and the pride caused by them can lead to cutting ties with others. There are examples in the Quran about some people who were happy because of being proud of themselves but this state of joy did not have a happy ending. “Korah was a man from the people of Moses. This man rebelled against them. We had given him so much treasure that the keys of the stores of his treasures could hardly even be carried by a group of strong people. His people told him, "Do not be proud of your wealth; God does not love those who are proudly happy of their wealth.” (Surah Al-Qasas, verse 76)

Therefore, Islam does not reject happiness because it is an intrinsic characteristic that all people have but says that this happiness is not suitable if it comes from Satanic temptations or transient worldly affairs; Islam stresses the type of happiness which is based on religious values, leads to God’s satisfaction, and makes others happy as well.