Keys to Happiness
Happiness is the only goal on earth that all people without
exception are seeking to attain. Believers and unbelievers alike
seek to be happy, but each party is using different methods.
However, only believers can achieve genuine happiness. All forms of
happiness attained without a firm belief in God, the Almighty, are
mere illusions.
The following are tips for the attainment of
happiness:
1. Know that if you do not live within the scope
of today, your thoughts will be scattered, your affairs will become
confused, and your anxiety will increase. These realities are
explained in the following hadith:
{When you are in the evening, do not
expect to see themorning, and when you are in the morning, do not
expect to see the evening.} [Saheeh Al-Bukhari]
2. Forget the past and all that it contained.
Being absorbed in things that are past and gone is sheer
lunacy.
3. Do not be preoccupied with the future because
the future is in the world of the unseen; do not let it bother you
until it comes.
4. Do not be shaken by criticism; instead, be
firm. Be sure that in proportion to your worth, the level of
people's criticism rises. Also, make good use of criticism in
discovering your shortcomings and faults, and let it drive you
toward self-improvement.
5. Have certain faith in God and perform good
deeds; these are the ingredients that makeup a good and happy
life.
6. If you desire peace, tranquility, and comfort,
you can find it all in the remembrance of God.
7. You should know with certainty that everything
that happens, occurs in accordance with the divine decree.
8. Do not expect gratitude from anyone.
9. Train yourself to be prepared for the worst
eventuality.
10. Perhaps what has happened is in your best
interest, even though you may not comprehend how that can be
so.
11. Everything that is decreed for the believer is
the best for him.
12. Enumerate the blessings of God and be thankful
for them.
13. Remember that you are better off than many
others.
14. Relief comes from one hour to the next.
Indeed, with each difficulty there is relief.
15. In both times of hardship and ease, one should
turn to supplication and prayer, either patiently contented or
thankful.
16. Calamities should strengthen your heart and
reshape your outlook in a positive way.
17. Do not let trivialities be the cause of your
destruction.
18. Always remember that your Lord is
Oft-Forgiving.
19. Assume an easy-going attitude and avoid
anger.
20. Life is bread, water, and shade; so do not be
perturbed by a lack of any other material thing.
{And in the heaven is your providence
and that which you are promised.} [Quran 51:22]
21. Most evil that is supposed to happen never
occurs.
22. Look at those who have more afflictions and be
grateful that you have less.
23. Bear in mind the fact that God loves those who
endure trials with steadfastness, so seek to be one of them.
24. Constantly repeat those supplications that the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us to say during
times of hardship.
25. Work hard at something that is productive, and
cast off idleness.
26. Do not spread rumors and do not listen to
them. If you hear a rumor inadvertently, do not believe it.
27. Know that your malice and your striving to
seek revenge are much more harmful to your health than they are to
your antagonist.
28. The hardships that befall you atone for your
sins, if you endure with patience.
By Ayed Al-Qarni
The Religion of Islam
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