How Islam Helps You Attain Happiness Without Losing Yourself
The secret to lasting happiness in Islam has been with us all along spoken through Allah’s words, waiting patiently for us to discover and live by it.
Happiness comes from the contentment of the heart. It is about knowing and understanding that no one truly provides for us except Allah (SWT), Al-Razzaq (The Provider). The people we meet, the opportunities we encounter, everything is a means through which Allah (SWT) delivers his sustenance and blessings.
True happiness in Islam lies in faith, tawakkul (trust in Allah), gratitude, and contentment with Allah’s decree.
Happiness is a universal pursuit, yet its definition often changes, shaped by worldly possessions, social status, accumulating wealth, or milestones that society deems important. But Islam offers a deeper, lasting perspective on happiness.
The Quran tells us:
And rely upon Allah, and sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.
— (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:3)
When we accept this truth and stop chasing what is beyond our reach, we discover the happiness that no material success can bring. This happiness is rooted in faith, faith that Allah (SWT), Al-Hakeem (The All-Wise), knows what is best for us and that His will is always in our best interest.
The power of trying and giving grace
Happiness comes from growth, not perfection; it’s about striving to be better each day and giving ourselves grace when we fall short. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
Richness does not mean having a great amount of property, but richness is self-contentment.
This teaches us that true happiness is not found in worldly possessions but in the contentment of our hearts.
When we strive to improve, we align ourselves with Allah’s will, recognizing that He loves those who make sincere efforts, even if they aren’t flawless. Every attempt, whether successful or not, is our opportunity for growth.
By giving ourselves grace, we acknowledge that we are human, imperfect, and constantly learning. This process of growth not only brings us closer to our best selves but also cultivates contentment with Allah’s decree, knowing that our efforts are enough in His eyes.
Islam encourages us to embrace our imperfections, trust in Allah’s wisdom, and continue striving. When we turn to Allah (SWT) and seek His guidance, we find peace in knowing that our journey is not about perfection but about progress.
Through Allah (SWT), Al-Salaam (The Source of Peace) He grants us the tranquility we need to move forward with ease, regardless of the difficulties we face.
Lessons from the sun and the moon
There’s a quote that I like that says, “Don’t compare your life to others. There’s no comparison between the sun and the Moon. They shine when it’s their time.”
Allah (SWT) had tapped into that idea long before this quote ever existed in Surah Ya-Sin when He said:
It is not for the sun to catch up with the moon, nor does the night outrun the day. Each is traveling in an orbit of its own.
— (Surah Ya-Sin, 36:40)
The quote and the verse tie to the idea that Allah (SWT) has a divine plan for each individual. Just as the sun and moon have their appointed times to shine, so do we.
Everyone has a unique purpose and role in life, and our paths are shaped by Allah’s will. Comparing our journey with others’ can lead to frustration because we may not be on the same timeline or have the same experiences.
Just as the sun doesn’t try to shine when the moon is supposed to, we should focus on our own path, trusting that Allah has orchestrated everything in our life for a reason and that our time will come, just as the sun rises and sets in its ordained time.
I’d say it’s a heart-warming reminder that we too are part of Allah’s perfect plan, and everything in our life, our successes, challenges, and timing is destined by Him.
Trusting in Allah’s timing, Al-Mudabbir (The Planner), frees us from the burden of comparison. His timing is always best even if it doesn’t align with others’ timelines for us.
Trusting Allah’s plan
Happiness in Islam is tied to tawakkul. It means trusting that He knows what’s best for us, even when we can’t see the bigger picture. Sometimes, what feels like a setback is actually a blessing in disguise, a lesson that will benefit us later.
However, happiness doesn’t mean we won’t experience sadness. Even the Prophets, such as Yaqub (AS), who mourned the loss of his son Yusuf (AS), and Musa (AS), who sought forgiveness for past mistakes, experienced emotional trials. Yet, their unwavering faith allowed them to persevere.
Islam teaches us to find balance as we seek happiness. Yes, sadness is a part of life, but we must not let it consume us. Allah (SWT), Al-Latif (The Subtle and Kind), honors us even when the world may degrade us, just as He did with Maryam (AS).
Sadness weakens the heart and diminishes our determination to move forward. There is nothing more beloved to Shaytan than the sadness of a believer.
| Pause and reflect: Without self-control, patience, and tolerance, what can truly be achieved? Why should I allow myself to contribute to my own struggles? |
Remember, life is ever-changing; challenges transform, and hardships eventually fade with time.
Happiness is about aligning our emotions and actions with Allah’s guidance. It’s about recognizing that every moment, whether joyful or sorrowful, has a purpose and a lesson.
No matter what knocks you down, get back up each time. Endure, press on, and never give up, great blessings come with great perseverance.
Do not let the worries of the future consume you. When we practice tawakkul, we trust that Allah’s plan is always better than our own. This trust frees us from the burden of worrying about what may or may not happen and allows us to be content with whatever outcome Allah has decreed.
As the saying goes, “When you make dua and Allah (SWT) doesn’t give you what you asked for, trust that His choice for you is better than your own.”
And whoever puts their trust in Allah – then He will suffice them.
— (Surah At-Talaq, 65:3)
Gratitude
In Islam, happiness is gratitude and reliance on Allah (SWT). Often, we overlook the blessings of health, family, and peace because society glorifies wealth and status. While material success is not inherently wrong, it cannot be the sole measure of happiness.
The Quran reminds us:
If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.
— (Surah Ibrahim, 14:7)
Gratitude allows us to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have. When we rely on Allah (SWT), Ash-Shakur (The Most Appreciative), and trust His wisdom, we experience happiness even in hardship. This happiness doesn’t mean the absence of grief but provides stability in adversity.
Healing from within
If you want to know your value with Allah (SWT), look at how He is using you, what actions He has kept you busy with. When you are a doer of good, you find tranquility within and spread happiness to those around you.
This tranquility comes from performing actions Allah (SWT) has prescribed and avoiding what He has prohibited. As we perform good deeds, we become grateful to Allah (SWT), Al-Hadi (The Guide), for leading us to noble behavior, which brings both contentment and happiness.
Here are simple practical steps to happiness:
- Read the Quran: Reflect on its timeless wisdom.
- Seek Knowledge: Attend lectures, join webinars or listen to inspiring podcasts.
- Express Gratitude: Begin and end your day with thanks to Allah.
- Practice Tawakkul: Trust Allah’s decree, especially in uncertain times.
- Engage in Good Deeds: Small acts of kindness ripple into greater rewards.
The bottom line
Ultimately, happiness comes from living for Allah (SWT), making decisions with Him in mind, and being grateful for every blessing and test He sends our way. Our problems are handpicked for us; never think they are an oversight of Allah (SWT). Our obstacles teach us how to grow.
Use the past and future to your advantage. Learn from past experiences and mistakes, for the Almighty sent them for a reason. The future belongs to Allah (SWT) and so, make dua to Him and trust Him completely.
Happiness and sadness go hand in hand. Just as the sun and rain balance nature, our emotions are part of Allah’s design. By aligning our actions with Allah’s guidance and trusting in His plan, we can find lasting happiness and peace.
Allah (SWT) beautifully reminds us:
So those who believe and do good will be in the Gardens of Bliss.
— (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:56)
With faith, tawakkul and gratitude, we can find peace even in the most challenging moments.
Take a moment to reflect: What blessings in your life have you overlooked today? Thank Allah (SWT) for them, and trust in His plan for what lies ahead.
