We often tend to seek happiness in worldly pursuits, often forgetting that true and eternal happiness in its greatest sense, lies only in the remembrance and pursuit of our Gracious and Loving God, Allah the Almighty.
Our sole purpose – by which true happiness can be achieved – is living a life full of purpose, righteousness and performing deeds which are pleasing to Allah, not only in the pursuit of a good and happy afterlife but because “surely, Allah loves those who do good”. (Holy Quran, 2:196)
How to find true happiness?
God says in the Holy Quran:
“And that it is He Who makes [people] laugh and makes [them] weep,” (53:44). It means that happiness and contentment come from God; if there is no God, there is no contentment; there is no reason of our living.
It is further elaborated that: “It is only in the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find comfort,” (13:29). “For him who fears to stand before his Lord there are two Gardens,” (55:57).
It means that, those who develop their bond of friendship with their Creator, they are promised that they will be made heirs of true and everlasting happiness – that will not be limited to this world alone, but will continue in their next life. In these verses we are told that pursuit of spiritual knowledge and higher moral values gives man perfect contentment and equanimity in this life and in the Hereafter.
Appreciation and gratitude
Furthermore, the values of appreciation and gratitude, and valuing everything that we have is also a means of happiness. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said that in matters of the world look at those who are below you, and do not look at those who are above you, for that is more likely to hold you back from belittling the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you.
I have learned this golden principle of happy life that, we must become grateful of whatever we have, and never think and concern about that which we don’t have, or which is beyond our capacity; and always remain satisfied with Allah’s blessings. A beautiful aspect of satisfied life is simplicity, because greed and jealousy are the means of disappointment, affliction, agony, anguish and despair.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta 