Happiness and Faith (hell, prophet, blessing, God, Lord)

[Cordoba]

To continue with extracts from the book titled "Don't be Sad":

Four things destroy the body: anxiety, grief, hunger and sleeplessness.

And four things bring light and mirth to one's face: a sense of honor, fulfilling one's commitments, generosity and piety.

Talking too much, eating too much and sleeping too much all weaken the body.

And four things bring serenity to the heart: to look at greenery, to look at flowing water, to see a loved one, and to gaze at fruits upon the trees.

All the best.

[Cordoba]

Another dimension of happiness is to be in harmony with the universe.

This is a brief extract from an article titled "The Way to Happiness"

"A basic Islamic principle of faith is related to harmony in this universe.

Many scientists and thinkers believe that there is a conflict between man and nature and that man is struggling to overcome the powers of nature.

Islam corrects this shortsighted notion. It states that everything in this world has been created to serve man, and man has been created to serve Allah. Therefore, the relationship between man and the universe is one of harmony and friendliness.

This fact imbues man with peace of mind, satisfaction and happiness. It also frees his mind from worries, fears and feeling of hostility.

His life would become inspired with love, hope, optimism, contentment and happiness that would enable him to face hardships with confidence and right discretion."

http://muslimconverts.com/e-books/happines/happines.htm

All the best.

[Cordoba]

Happiness in Knowing Allah:

When a worshipper knows his Lord, he feels at peace. He sees Allah’s workings in Creation and appreciates the greatness and innovativeness of Allah’s handiwork that is all around him and how it is full of mercy and wisdom. We cannot see our Lord but we can see the effects of His handiwork that proclaim His most excellent names and attributes.

This is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) describes excellence in worship as: “…to worship Allah as though you see Him, and though you do not see Him, truly He sees you.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]

When the worshipper sees the results of Allah’s creative power and knowledge in the world around him, he feels a very intimate closeness to Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He tastes the sweet flavor of faith who is pleased with Allah as his Lord, with Islam as his religion, and with Muhammad as the Messenger.” [Sahîh Muslim]

There was a CEO of a major American corporation who had attained wealth, power, prestige, and position but felt bitterly unhappy. He would toss and turn in bed at night, unable to sleep. He was impressed to find among the company’s employees a young Muslim man of modest position and salary who was always happy and cheerful. He would eat in peace, sleep in peace, and would come to work and go home smiling. Not once did he see this man with a dark expression on his face.

He brought the man into his office and asked him: “What is it with you that you are so happy all the time?”

The man replied: “By God, I know my Lord and I know my job. I believe in God and therefore I have peace.”

The CEO then asked: “Do you have anything that might guide me or show me the way?

The man took the CEO by the hand and took him to an Islamic center where he learned about Islam and had the religion explained to him. Ultimately, the CEO declared: “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

As soon as he said this, he broke into tears and said: “I have just felt happiness that I had never before felt before in my whole life.”

http://sisters.islamway.com/modules.php?name=News&file=a rticle&sid=326

All the best.

[Cordoba]

From Fethullah Gullen's web site,

(real) "Happiness lies in spiritual satisfaction":

Many rich people cannot enjoy food and drink or the world's beauty as much as poor people do, due to their lack of appetite or bad health.

Although poverty is not something to be desired and indeed, as stated by the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, can even cause unbelief, it is difficult to claim that the rich are always happier than the poor.

No one can assert that people in the Middle Ages, when living standards were relatively low, were less happy than today's rich people. Happiness lies in spiritual satisfaction, not in having the material facilities to gratify bodily desires.

Another point to emphasize is that no one should complain about hardship. When compared with times of good health, comfort, and happiness, times of illness or hardship often are not worth mentioning.

Also, we usually live unaware of the constant bounties we receive. For example, the sun rises every day and sends us its heat and light for free. We are never deprived of air, without which we would die instantly, although we pay nothing for it. All the natural events necessary for producing rain occur without our help.

What we should do is thank God for these and all other bounties (none of which we can provide for ourselves), for the greatest part of our life (spent in health and comfort), and not to complain to God about illness, hardship, or the lack of some additional blessing.

http://www.fethullahgulen.org/a.page/books/essentials.of.the.islamic.faith/divine.decree.and.destiny.and.human.free.will/a670.html

[Cordoba]

On Inner Peace, Contentment and Happiness:

"Inner peace is the source of all peace. When a person is at harmony with himself, he is able to live in harmony with others."

"Being fair and just is also an important factor in attaining inner peace. This requires us to do away with selfishness, vain desires, and avarice."

http://www.islamtoday.com/showme2004.cfm?cat_id=30&sub_cat_id=730

[Cordoba]

Inner Peace: The World's Dire Need

The Need for Inner Peace:

QUOTE

We are at a time of great stress and tension. Muslims and non-Muslims both have fears and anxieties. The world situation has not been good for several decades, but since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, there is more distress all over the world. The situation looks very grim and terrible for the whole humanity. Social, economic, political and environmental conditions of the whole world are deteriorating. Injustice, crimes, violence, evil and sins abound everywhere in the world.

Many Muslims now feel pessimistic and disheartened. We have painful conditions in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya and other places, where we see our Muslim brothers and sisters going through a lot of suffering. Wars are waged against Muslims in different parts of the world. Thousands of innocent men, women and children are dying. There are millions of refugees who are going through most tragic difficulties. Muslims are ruled today by some of the most corrupt political leaders who are totally inept to defend their lands and their people. Here in United States we have anxieties about our civil rights and liberties. The anti-Islamic propaganda and Islamophobia is on the rise here and in many other places.

We need inner peace and the whole humanity needs it. Inner peace is always important but it is most needed now. It is the peace of heart and mind. Inner peace makes people steadfast, strong and capable to face the problems. If there is no inner peace people lose courage and strength to face the difficulties. People become sick and develop many other physical, emotional or psychological problems. They would certainly have spiritual problems. Those who do not have inner peace become irritable, angry, have difficulty to maintain their daily work, good family relations or other commitments and responsibilities. Inner peace on the other hand makes people optimistic, friendly and productive. Inner peace makes people strong to deal with their personal, family, local as well as national and international problems.

Islam and Inner Peace:

Islam is the religion of peace. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, used to say and write in his letters to the chiefs of tribes in his time: “Aslim Taslam (Accept Islam and find peace.)”

Islam places great emphasis on inner peace. In the Qur’an, it is called Sakinah (inner calm and tranquility), Tuma’ninah (comfort of the heart, satisfaction and contentment) Sharh As-Sadr (understanding, openness of the chest, restfulness). Believers receive these gifts from Allah Almighty. In the most difficult situations, Allah mentions that He bestowed inner peace on the believers.

UNQUOTE

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503545394&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar

[searcher63]

Hello:
This will be my last post on this website. Not that THAT is important, or that I am important enough to inform anyone of my decision to leave. I just need to post this message. It will be healthy for me to do so. So please indulge me. I was excited when I first stumbled across this site for I felt I had found a place where sincere people could help each other in a pursuit of truth. After reading Many, many posts I STILL feel there are sincere people here who want life's answers. The problem as I see it is that there are far TOO MANY posts that have the pretext of sincere searching but , I can only conclude that it is a ruse since the same people post the same vague, inane, rants on a variety of subjects. This , to me, clouds all the discussions!It is almost as if some here, certainly not all, but some, just like the look of there opinions in print rather than to be part of any real deep search for answers. Coupled with that fact is the feeling that many posters feel that it is their GOD GIVEN DUTY to spread their message! Thats O.K. with me also! I have felt that urge as well. The problem with that is you have this NEVER ENDING MARRY-GO-ROUND OF PROSELTYZING GOING ON ..Which just adds to the confusion. I mean seriously....has ANYONE HERE REALLY CHANGED ANOTHERS MIND????? I think probably not. I guess thats what I am driving at.... I can no longer be part of this ENDLESS DEBATE! Do not get me wrong! If that is ALL THIS SITE purports to be....Great! I just need more than that. Maybe such a site does not exist. Anyway... a final word TO ALL SINCERE TRUTH SEAKERS...Keep searching..keep looking....keeep trying... If we are to believe the scriptures.".All who keep looking will find."

[Cordoba]

Hello Searcher:

I understand your point, and you're quite right with your final advice to sincere searchers for the truth to keep on searching.

I wish you all the best.