Attaining Happiness

As human beings it's natural to constantly chase happiness in this world, however there can be a false understanding that happiness can be achieved through gaining material possessions alone. The reality is far from it as happiness can be found in the simplest things in life such as our faith, connection with Allah ﷻ and our relationship with others.

As Muslims, we can easily say we believe in Allah ﷻ, but true Imaan (faith) is to believe in Allah ﷻand His guidance sincerely within our hearts. By basing our lives around protecting and nurturing our Imaan, we can achieve greater happiness in this world and in the process earn the ultimate happiness of entering Paradise. The Prophet (ﷺ; peace be upon him) said: “Verily, the faith of one of you will diminish just as a garment becomes worn out. So ask Allah to renew faith in your hearts.” [Al-Mustadrak]

With Ramadan around the corner, there is no better time to focus on implementing habits which improve our Imaan. Here are some ways to do that:

1. Prioritise Salah: Whether that is praying more, praying on time or praying with more focus, there is always room to improve our Salah. We should plan our day around Salah rather than squeezing Salah into our busy schedules. No matter how low our faith drops or how many sins we commit, we should force ourselves to make it to the prayer mat or even better, to the Masjid. We should take the opportunity and make it a habit to talk to Allah regularly through Du'a.

2. Connect with the Qur'an: Reading Qur'an regularly can strengthen our connection with Allah and improve our Imaan. Going a step further and reading the translation and reflecting upon it can significantly change our lives. If you have neglected your relationship with Qur'an, make it a commitment to just go perform wudhu, sit down, and read the Qur'an today. Whether it is one ayat, one page or more, make it a consistent habit to engage with the Qur'an regularly.

3. Good Companionship: It's crucial to surround ourselves with those who are on the same journey as us. Good companions can encourage us towards goodness and remind us when we slip or go astray. On the other hand, bad companions can encourage us to sin. It's essential to choose our friends wisely and spend our time with those who have a positive impact on our character and our faith.

Ultimately, true happiness cannot be attained from seeking worldly pleasures but rather it is something that is felt deep within us. As Muslims, we must constantly work on our Imaan and be grateful to Allah for our blessings. Allah ﷻ reminds us in the Qur’an: “‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more.” [Surah Ibrahim 14:7]

May Allah enable us all to protect and grow our Imaan. May Allah make us grateful believers for the blessings He has bestowed upon us. May Allah guide us all towards attaining eternal happiness in the hereafter. Ameen.