Searching for Happiness?
Happiness is a common goal that everyone strives to attain.
Philosophers, intellectuals, doctors and artists alike have all
strived in search of the causes of happiness and ways to escape
anxiety.
The reality is, however, that
the proposed solutions achieve only partial or superficial
happiness. They are more or less like drugs which only provide
temporary relief; when their effect wares off, anxieties return two
fold.
The following words invite you
to ultimate happiness and will lead you to true success. But before
you begin reading, I hope that you take a moment to try to open
your heart and mind - as the intelligent one is he who searches for
the truth no matter where it lies.
An undeniable reality is that
permanent happiness cannot be achieved except by believing in God -
The Creator - and following His guidance. Since it is He who
created mankind, He is the one who knows what pleases and benefits
them, just as he knows what saddens and harms them. A number of
psychologists have affirmed that only a religious person lives with
true content and serenity. So if believing in God leads to ultimate
happiness, then how can this be achieved?
There are numerous religions
and a variety of creeds. However, their critical differences in
core issues make it impossible for all of them to be correct. So
which is the correct religion? What is the correct creed that God
requires us to believe in and in the end pleases Him? And which one
of these creeds guarantees us happiness in this life and in the
hereafter?
Before answering these
questions, a criterion must first be established to be used as a
basis for correctly determining the true religion. I firmly believe
that all sensible people will agree that a religion is not deemed
correct simply due to the fact that one was raised in that
religion, had parents that adhered to it, or lived in a society
that practiced it. Rather a religion's accuracy and authenticity
are based upon substantial evidence and firm intellectual proofs.
Intellect, the distinguishing factor between mankind and animals,
must be applied when studying the issue of religion, which is
undeniably the most important and gravest of all
matters.
A short journey into the world
of religions and sifting through various creeds could prove to be a
good method in arriving at the desired conclusion. In order to save
you the time and effort, I say with full conviction and confidence
that no matter how much you investigate this issue, you will only
arrive at one reality: that the true and correct religion is Islam
and that true happiness and content lies within it.
Before you hastily rebut this
statement and stop reading, please realize that completing the rest
would not harm you at all, and it may in fact benefit you. Also,
remember that you have an intellect by which you can distinguish
things and determine truth from falsehood.
Why
Islam?
This is an important question,
indicating that the questioner is mature and enlightened. In
response I say:
Islam is a religion that
includes a number of merits and characteristics that are absent
from other religions. These characteristics, alone, serve as
convincing evidence that Islam is the true religion of God. You can
determine the authenticity of this statement by contemplating
them.
Islam's many merits and
characteristics make it impossible to elaborate on all of them.
However, some of the most important can be summarized as
follows:
1.
Amongst the greatest merits of
Islam is that it fulfills the spiritual aspects of the human being
and enables those who embrace it to have an ongoing connection with
God. This makes it possible for them to be at ease spiritually. It
shields them from chaos, being lost or feeling (spiritually) empty,
and protects from mental instability.
2.
Another of Islam's merits is
that it coincides totally with common sense. All of the Islamic
legislation and its rulings are acceptable intellectually and are
never contradictory. One man who embraced Islam was asked why he
did so and replied, "Islam never ordered me to do anything that I
later wished wasn't obligated, and it never forbade me from
anything that I later wished wasn't forbidden."
Much of what is readily
accepted in other religions causes great confusion. This confusion
makes it difficult to believe many of the fundamental
tenets/doctrines that these religions are based upon. On the other
hand, we find that Islam respects the intellect, prohibits
ignorance, and condemns blind following.
3.
Islam is an all-inclusive way
of life attending to both spiritual and physical needs. Practicing
Islam does not mean that one has to be secluded or that he is
prohibited from the finer things in life. Rather, according to
Islam, a person can be religious and still enjoy a normal life -
attaining prestigious ranks/positions and achieving the highest
academic degrees.
4.
Among the merits of Islam is
that it is a comprehensive religion. Every aspect of a person's
life is managed by Islam. There is not a problem except that a
solution for it lies in Islam, which makes it possible to embrace
and practice in every time and place. How can this not be the case
in such a well organized religion that has guidelines and positive
instruction for every aspect of life including: conflict
resolution, buying and selling, social and marital relations,
greetings, public etiquettes, and even how a person eats, sleeps
and dresses. These practices have not been addressed generally, but
rather in precise detail, causing the mind to wonder in amazement.
Know that Islam even provides direction on how to wear and remove
footwear. It encourages people to use their right hand when eating,
drinking, shaking hands, and when giving and receiving items. As
for disliked affairs such as using the bathroom, the left hand is
to be used.
Islam also has wonderful
instructions regarding going to sleep and waking up. When two
Muslims meet, Islam directs them on how they should greet each
other; a rider should initiate greeting the pedestrian, the youth
should initiate greeting the elderly, and a small group should
initiate greeting a larger group. These are but a few of Islam's
many comprehensive guidelines for all aspects of life.
5.
Another of Islam's merits is
that it establishes good for mankind in all its regulations and
safeguards them from evil. It is man himself who benefits from
these regulations. Islam's prohibition of alcohol and drugs for
example is only because of the great harm they cause to a person's
physical and mental health. You can witness the state of a drunken
man, no longer human except in appearance. A lot of murders,
disputes, traffic accidents and rapes would not have taken place
were it not for consuming these mind-altering
products.
Islam's prohibition of
premarital sex relieves societies of destructive diseases (such as
AIDS and other STDs), immoral behavior, and the existence of a
generation of illegitimate children. This generation is often
deprived of a mother's love and a father's upbringing which can
lead them to become burdensome on society. Islam prohibits women
from displaying themselves publicly. This is because Islam
considers women to be valued, preserved pearls; not some cheap
merchandise to be displayed for all to see. It does so to protect
them from the wolves of mankind - those who are only concerned with
satisfying their lusts, even if it is at the cost of a woman's
honor, nobility, status, and purity.
On the other hand, Islam
permits all harmless and beneficial drinks. It also permits married
couples to enjoy one another within a happy home.
In summary, Islam has not
eliminated freedoms and desires. Rather, it regulates them for the
benefit of mankind and the society at large.
6.
A radiant aspect of Islam is
that it pays a great deal of attention to values, character, and
praiseworthy manners, while prohibiting mankind from oppression,
transgression and bad character. Islam is a religion of love, unity
and mercy. It defines an individual's relationship with his
parents, relatives, neighbors, friends and all people. Islam embeds
the best of manners in those who embrace it and prevents them from
living selfishly. It encourages its followers to help others and
take others' feelings into consideration - especially the poor,
orphans, elderly and widows. They all have rights in Islam that
must not be taken lightly by Muslims. Muslims shouldn't feel like
they are bestowing favors upon others when giving them their due
rights, rather these rights are obligations upon Muslims. It is
considered to be a great sin in Islam for one to go to sleep with a
full stomach knowing that his neighbor is hungry.
Islam even prohibits two
people from whispering to each other in the presence of a third,
taking his feelings into consideration. Islam goes even further
than that, obligating kind treatment to animals and prohibiting
harming them. More specifically, Islam prohibits slaughtering an
animal while another watches, or sharpening a knife while it is
watching, so that it is not tormented along with being
slaughtered.
Truthfulness, trustworthiness,
bravery, generosity, humility, abiding by promises, visiting the
sick, attending funerals, being dutiful to parents, visiting
relatives and neighbors, and striving to help others are all
etiquettes that are encouraged by Islam.
On the other hand, Islam
strictly prohibits oppression, lying, conceitedness, envy, and
insulting or betraying others. It is impermissible in Islam to
speak ill of a person in his absence, even if what is being said is
true. Islam encourages people to moderate in spending, being
neither excessive nor misers.
During times when a lot of
societies complain about cold heartedness, materialism, selfishness
and so on, we find that Islam has proven remedies for all of these
problems.
This summarized introduction
should make it clear that Islam is a logical religion that can be
easily understood by all people. The doors to Islam are wide open
and do not shut for anyone looking to enter.
Understanding all of Islam's
teachings in a short article is impossible. However, briefly
discussing some of its fundamental tenets should assist in further
clarifying the religion for those who are interested.
All of Islam's regulations and
teachings are important, but some have precedence over others.
There are six essential articles of faith that one must believe in,
and five pillars that one's faith must be built upon.
As for the
six articles that must be believed in:
1.
Believing in Allah (God)
alone, associating no partners unto Him in worship. This is done by
believing that Allah alone is the Creator of this universe and
everything that is within it, and that it is He alone who disposes
its affairs as He sees fit. Consequently, worship can only be
offered to Him alone. Worship is implementing the teachings of
Islam and its legislation while believing that all other religions
are false.
2.
Believing in the angels.
Angels were created by Allah but we cannot see them. They worship
Allah and never disobey Him. Allah orders them to carry out many of
the universe's affairs. The angel Gabriel, for example, (peace be
upon him) delivers Allah's revelation to the messengers. Another is
Mikayeel (peace be upon him), who is entrusted with the affairs of
rain. Still there are other angels responsible for writing the
deeds of mankind - deeds which they will be held accountable for on
the Day of Resurrection. It is essential to believe that all of the
angels act solely upon the order of Allah and do only what He
wills.
3.
Believing in the Books of
Revelation. This means to believe that Allah revealed books to His
servants comprising of His words. These books contain bliss for
mankind by clarifying what Allah is pleased with as well as what He
dislikes. The Angel charged with delivering revelation to the
Prophets is Gabriel (peace be upon him) - the greatest of angels. A
prophet then conveys the revelation to the rest of
mankind.
Allah has revealed many books,
amongst them: The Torah, revealed to Moses (peace be upon him), The
Psalms, revealed to David (peace be upon him), The Gospel, sent
down to Jesus (peace be upon him) and the Quran, which was revealed
to Muhammad (peace be upon him).
One must believe that the
Quran has abrogated all books prior to it, meaning that - after the
Prophet (Muhammad) was sent - it is the only book that can be acted
upon, especially since the Quran combines all the merits of past
books and further supplements them.
Know that the Quran is from
the greatest evidences that this religion is the truth revealed by
Allah (God) the Most High. The Quran was revealed over 1400 years
ago. Since then till this day, no contradictions or mistakes have
been found in the Quran, not even in a single word. Many of the
scientific discoveries of modern times were mentioned in the Quran.
Since that time until today, nothing has been added to or
subtracted from the Quran, while previous revelations have been
tampered with and altered.
It is for this reason that you
can pick up a copy of the Quran in the far East and find it to be
exactly the same as one you pick up in the far West. If you were to
come across a copy of the Quran that is hundreds of years old, you
would also find that it is exactly the same as the one being
printed currently - you wouldn't be able to find even one letter
that is different. This is because of Allah's protection of this
Book, the Book of the religion that sealed all other
religions.
Speaking about the Quran would
take a lot of time. However, it is enough for you to know that
there is nothing like it whatsoever; not by way of (literary)
style, its effect on people, nor its information about the
unseen.
4.
Believing in the Prophets.
This is done by believing that Allah has chosen the best of mankind
to be recipients of His revelation and ordered them to convey His
religion to the people. There are numerous Prophets, among them
are: Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Lot, Joseph, Moses and others
(peace be upon all of them). Also from them is Jesus. It is
imperative to believe that he is among the best of Prophets and to
love and respect him. Whoever despises him or denies his prophet
hood is not Muslim. Likewise it is compulsory to believe that Allah
created him from a mother only, with no father, just as Allah
created Adam with neither a mother nor a father.
Having mentioned this, we now
know that Jesus is a noble messenger and not God, nor is he a son
of God. He foretold the coming of a prophet to come after him;
Muhammad ibn (the son of) Abdullah, the last of the
prophets.
Muhammad ibn Abdullah (peace
be upon him) was sent 1400 years ago. It is compulsory for everyone
who comes after him until the Day of Judgment to believe in him and
his message, and obey his orders and prohibitions.
All those who studied the
biography of this messenger have agreed that he is a great
personality who has been bestowed with the best of manners and most
noble etiquettes. He had characteristics which were not present in
anyone before him and will not be present in anyone after him.
Anything that you read about him, no matter how small it is,
confirms what I am saying.
Allah has also granted him
proofs and evidences that establish the authenticity of his prophet
hood, thus having doubt in this fact is intellectually impossible.
Having been given such proofs and evidences of his prophet hood,
whoever denies his truthfulness, would make it impossible for that
individual to establish the truthfulness of any other
prophet.
5.
The Last Day. This is
fulfilled firmly believing that after this life of ours is over,
there is another more complete life. In it, there are immense
rewards and magnificent luxuries, as well as punishment. Luxury is
in Heaven and punishment in Hell. So whoever is righteous and
believes in the religion of Islam enters Heaven, a place that
contains untold pleasure and unimagined bliss. All the luxuries on
earth cannot be compared to it at all. Whoever enters Heaven will
continue to live in such luxuries for eternity as death does not
exist therein.
As for those who act upon evil
and do not believe in Islam, they would end up in Hell, which
contains fires and punishment that cannot be imagined, all of the
fires of earth and forms of punishment cannot be compared to the
punishment of the hellfire at all.
The existence of punishment
and reward after this life is an issue that is intellectually
acknowledged, because it is impossible for this world to exist and
then just diminish into nothingness. This is trifling about, and
our Lord, the Creator, does not engage in such
activities.
6.
Believing in Divine Decree.
This is to believe that everything that happens in this world is
due to Allah's knowledge and will. Nothing except what He wills
takes place, and what He does not will, does not take place. Allah
has written everything in a great book (The Preserved Tablet).
Believing in divine decree also includes believing that Allah
created everything.
As for the
five pillars that must be practiced:
1.
Uttering a phrase that is the
key to entering into Islam. It is a contract between a servant and
his Lord, signifying that he is upon this religion:
"Ashhadu an la ilaha ila
Allah, wa ashadu ana Muhammad 'abduhu wa rasuluhu."
"I bear witness that there is
no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His
servant and Messenger."
This testimony signifies the
acceptance, admission, and adherence to the fact that worship must
be offered to Allah alone. It also includes the acceptance of Islam
as the only correct religion, Allah as the only true deity
deserving worship, and that all other deities and religions are
false. The second part of the testimony entails an affirmation that
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and that he is to be obeyed and
believed in all that he says.
2.
The Prayer. It is a
combination of statements, actions and invocations carried out in a
specific manner. It is performed five times daily and doesn't take
much time at all. In fact, a prayer may not take more than five
minutes. Prayer is the link between a servant and his Lord. It
enables a Muslim to be confident, mentally and spiritually at rest,
calm and untroubled.
3.
The Zakaat. A wealthy Muslim
must give a small portion of his money to the poor, 2.5% of his
wealth to be exact. Even though it is a small amount, it enables
the Muslim community to be conciliated and merciful amongst each
other. It propagates brotherhood, love and concern amongst Muslims.
And again, Zakaat is only to be given out by the wealthy, not the
poor.
4.
Fasting. What is meant by
fasting is that a person withholds from eating, drinking and sexual
relations during the month of Ramadan [which is the 9th month of
the lunar calendar] between dawn and sunset. The sick, travelers,
and those with valid excuses are pardoned from fasting. They are
permitted to eat and drink but must make up the missed days once
they become able.
Fasting has many health,
personal, and social benefits. Amongst them are: giving the
digestive system a break, allowing Muslims to grow spiritually and
practice good mannerisms. It enables Muslims to be conscious of
their needy brothers and sisters, those who are unable to find
enough food to satisfy their needs throughout the year.
Consequently, the Muslims humble themselves and strive to help
them.
5.
Hajj. It is a form of worship
that must be performed only once in a lifetime, in Makkah. Those
who are physically incapable or not financially able to perform it
are pardoned from doing so.
Hajj contains many magnificent
benefits; the gathering of Muslims from all around the globe in one
place getting to know each other and displaying love for one
another, not to mention what a Muslim achieves by way of spiritual
purification and character refinement due to experiencing such a
spiritual environment in the shade of Hajj.
Hopefully what has preceded is
sufficient in clarifying - in a summarized fashion - some of the
merits of Islam. I invite all who have not yet entered into the
fold of Islam to listen to a sincere invitation from one who only
wants good for you: save yourself before death takes you by
surprise, and thus you die upon other than Islam - what a great
loss that is!
Do you know what dying upon
other than Islam means? It means that you would enter the Hellfire,
abiding therein for eternity. This is what Allah has warned all
those who die without embracing Islam. So why would you take a
chance with an issue as grave as this?
I'm going to ask you a
question that I want you to answer honestly:
What would you lose if you
embraced Islam?
If you embrace Islam, you can
continue living your normal ordinary life, but in a more spiritual,
organized, and pleasant fashion…and after death, tremendous delight
and eternal pleasure await you.
If you have reached a level of
conviction, believing that Islam is the true religion, but fear
that embracing Islam would prevent you from enjoying pleasures that
you cannot live without, then compare these temporary pleasures
with eternal pleasure. Which of the two should be given
preference?
Furthermore, you can embrace
Islam and then gradually try to reduce such pleasures. And if you
were to honestly invoke Allah, He would surely aid you in leaving
them. In any case, embracing Islam and having shortcomings is
better than not embracing Islam at all.
If the barrier between you and
Islam is due to having a weak personality, the inability to make
such a big decision, or because you fear that people may talk about
you or mock you, know that these are just unrealistic thoughts. You
would not be the first person to embrace Islam; a lot of others
have made the decision to do so. They did not lose anything, their
lives were not ruined, nor do they have any regrets. Furthermore,
does it make sense that you sacrifice your own wellbeing and
happiness in this life and in the hereafter just because you fear
mockery or admonishment?
This affair is worthy of your
time. Contemplate upon it deeply.
My last words: Do not lose
yourself! I ask Allah to bless you with true guidance.
One who wishes only the best
for you,
Dr. Saleh
Abdul Azeez As Sindee.
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