Sikander Hashmi

– We all seek happiness but know that true permanent happiness is only possible in the hereafter

– ۞ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ سُعِدُوا۟ فَفِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا

And as for those destined to joy, they will be in Paradise, staying there forever (Surah Hud, 108)

– This world is a place of trials, ups and downs, happiness and sadness, so 100% happiness 100% of the time is not possible here

– That does not mean our life has to be miserable

– Happiness can be broken down into a few parts: 1) The things that make us happy that we can’t control; 2) the things that make us happy that we can control (to some extent); 3) what makes us happy (we can control that)

– Research tells us that there is a link between our genes and our happiness

– About 40% of differences between people in their well-being are accounted for by genetic differences, meaning 40% of things that make a person happier compared to others are things that are genetic – essentially they have been decided by Allah (human characteristics, body, mind, looks, etc) (https://www.psychologytoday.com/…/how-genes-influence…)

– 60% are based on environmental influences, the things around us over which we might have some level of control/involvement, even those ultimately determined by Allah (rizq, illness, accidents, etc.)

– According to psychologists: What most people don’t realize is that once our basic needs (physiological and safety) have been met and our bills are all paid, our happiness does not increase very much based on material wealth

– We learn from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that starting point of worldly happiness = basic needs to be met in a reasonable manner,

– Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (RA): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, أَرْبَعٌ مِنَ السَّعَادَةِ الْمَرْأَةُ الصَّالِحَةُ وَالْمَسْكَنُ الْوَاسِعُ وَالْجَارُ الصَّالِحُ وَالْمَرْكَبُ الْهَنِيءُ

“Four things are part of happiness: a righteous woman (e.g spouse), a spacious dwelling, a righteous neighbor, and a comfortable mount.” (Ibn Hibban, Ahmed)

– Once the basic needs are met in a reasonable manner, then accumulation of wealth, objects, fame doesn’t increase overall happiness because all those things come with worries as well

– Allah give us the formula for a happy life:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

– Tafseer of “good life” = contentment, happiness, halal rizq

– Formula: Good deeds + belief

– Good deeds that are pleasing to Allah, are good for our soul and our mind

– Acts of worship (salat, dhikr, Quran): If done with mindfulness, they will help calm us, give us peace, reduce anxiety, release stress (example: salah forces us to move, exercise – good for us physically and mentally)

– Routine for prayer, salah esp. in congregation, daily adhkar routines – Studies have shown that daily routines have far-reaching mental health benefits, from alleviating bipolar disorder and preventing substance abuse to managing the symptoms of other mental disorders (https://nyctherapy.com/…/the-mental-health-benefits-of…/)

– General acts of goodness towards others: They help us feel good, giving (wealth, time, energy) proven to increase neurochemicals in the brain such as oxytocin and dopamine

– Oxytocin is typically linked to warm, fuzzy feelings and shown in some research to lower stress and anxiety (https://www.psycom.net/oxytocin)

– Dopamine is particularly known as being the “happy hormone.” It is responsible for our experiencing happiness (https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/…/dopamine-far-more-than…/)

– Second part of the Qur’anic formula for a happy life: وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ (and is a believer)

– Proper belief results in being able to regulate negative thoughts

– Example: Contentment with Allah’s decrees (whether commands/prohibitions or Allah’s decisions about how we have been created and the things that happen to us that are not in our control); Trust in Allah; Having good hopes in Allah – all of these help make a believer happier whatever the circumstance

– Our attitude towards happiness: Have reasonable expectations of happiness, enjoy little things, see ordinary blessings as being huge.

– This is what the Prophet of Allah ﷺ has taught us:

مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْكُمْ آمِنًا فِي سِرْبِهِ مُعَافًى فِي جَسَدِهِ عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا

‘Ubaydullah ibn Mihsan (RA): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever among you wakes up secure in his property, healthy in his body, and he has his food for the day, it is as if he were given the entire world.” (Tirmidhi)

– We ask Allah Almighty to fulfill all of our needs in the best way possible, to protect us from all evils and harms, and to grant us happiness and contentment in this world and especially in the next