-

GIiAlib A. MASRi & NATliif J. AdAM

~.J---b 6 .J I52 I II II ] «l.:>I6-D b u:uh.i 9 QJ-Ll-D .:>..o.:>i uJlJ: --~ o THETHE WAYWAY TOTO HAPPINESSHAPPNESS

basedbasedonon "Happiness"Happinessbetweenbetween IllusionIllusion andand Reality"Reality " byby Dr.Dr. NasserNasserAI-OmarAl-Omar andand"Causes "Causesofof Happiness"Happiness"byby SheikhSheikh Abdur-Rahman AI-Sa'adi.Al-Sa'adi.

by

Ghalib Ahmad Masri

and

NathifNathif JamaJama AdamAdam a~d (o c ) CooperativeCooperativeOlliceOffice for for CallCalland Guidance Guidanceinin al-Batha,1995al-Batha,l99S \,-,/

KingKing FahdFahd NationatNational LibraryLibrary Cataloging'inCataloging-in PublicationPublication DataData Masri, Ghalib AhmadAhmad The Way of happiness/Ghalibhappiness/Ghalib Ahmad Ahmad Masri'Masri, NathifNathif Jamalama Adam.- Riyadh. I112P.,12XJ7Cm r2 P..l2X!? Cm ISBN: 9960-798-22-4 1-l- Faith (Islamic creeds) 2- Happiness 1-I- Adm, Nathif Jama (J.a.) II-ll- Title 240dc240 dc 1619/161619i16

Legal Deposit no. 1619/16 ISBN: 9960-798-22-49960-798-22-a ACKNOWLEDGEMENTRCKNOTJLEDGEIlENT

TheThe presentpresent workwork hashas beenbeen writtenwritten jointlyjointly byby thethe twotwo co-authors.co-authors.Nathif Nathif lamaJama AdamAdam hashas contributedcontributed thethe sectionsection onon "Sources" Sources ofof Happiness."Happiness."GhalibGhalib Ahmad MasriMasri hashas writtenwritten thethe otherother sections of the book.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the efforts that contributed to the produciionproduction of this booklet in its presentform, especially the valuablecomments of Dr. M6hameiMohamed LotfiI.otfi Zlitni and other helpful- commentson thecontent of this work. 3 CONTENTS DescriptionDescriotion AcknowAcknowledgementledgement 2 a Contents 3J Introductionlntroduction 6 Definition of Happiness 22 Sources of Happiness 23ZJ 1. Happiness in Wealth 23 - Qarun 25 - Christina Onassis 26 2. Happiness in Rank and Position 30 - The Shah of Iran 32 - Ferdinand Marcos 32 Aa - Jean Bedel Bokassa 42+.t - Nicolae Ceausescu 33 -a - Rajiv Gandhi 33JJ .A 3. Educational Achievements 34J+ 4. Happiness in FameFarne 38 - Sporting 39 - Acting 44 Two Articles (Excerpts) 49 Barriers to Real Happiness 56 1. Disbelief in Allah and Lack of True 56 Faith 2. Sin and Crime 5751 3. Envy and Jealousyjealousy 57 4. Ill-will 57 4 5. Anger 58 6. Injusticelejustice 58 7.7. Fear of WorldlyWorldlv Power 60 8. Pessimism 61 9. Suspicion 61 10. Arrogance 62 11. Devotion to other than Allah 62 12. Alcohol, Drugs and Drug Addiction 63 Landmarks on the Way to Happy Life 64 (Factors and Pre-requisites of Happiness) 1. Sound Belief 64 2. Worship and Devotion to Allah 69 3. Remembrance of Allah 75 4. Goodness and Kindness to Others 77 5. Renunciation of Too-Long Term 79 Hopes and Griefs of the Past 6. Forgetting About People with 85 Higher Standard of Living 7. Building of Better Understanding 87 of Things and Getting Rid of Misconc- eptions and Superstitions 8. Achieving Harmony within 87 Oneself and with the Outward World 9. Good Health, Time, Affluenceand 88 Sound Reasoning 10. Social Solidarity 89 11. Stability of the HumanPersonality 919l 5) 12.12. The Feeling of Peace and Security Security 94 13.13. Repentance 96 14.14. Learningteaming and Pursuit of Knowledge 97 15.15. SelectionSelectionof Friends 99 16.16. StrongStrongWill and Self-Confidence Self-Confidence 100100 17.17. Being on Good Terms with Family,Family , 100100 Friends and Colleagues

CONCLUSION 101l0r 6

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

INTRODUCTION

To my surprise,suqprise,he returned from the rich dinner very unhappy. I wanted to know the reason. He explained to me: "If only you had seen the luxury they are living in - a splendid villa, rich food, luxurious furniture,fumiture, servants and a fleet of cars! It makes me feel extremely miserable". "But, is he enjoying his life?" I asked, "Is he really happy?" "As far as I know", he replied, a little pacified," he is not enjoying the luxuries of his life. He wishes he could eat ordinaryordinarvfood,food. even bread, even though he loses all his wealth." "So you are much richer and happier than he is", I said. "Your health is a greater wealth than those luxuries which have made you so depressed. Wealth alone does not give happiness. You will not sell one finger or eye of yours or your appetite for all his riches or cars!" I saw the tears of satisfaction and gratefulness sratefulness 7I shine in his eyes. "Thank Allah! Thank Allah!", He said. Very often man meets with incidents and situa­situa- tions in his life that make him unhappy. Later, when. he recovers his consciousness and reflects on such incidents and situations, he finds that his unhappiness was simply a reaction, and that man can react differently, achieving thereby a higher a degree of stability and tolerance if he is able to cope with the situation.

A neighbour of the well-known German Philoso­Philoso- pher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) had a cock whose crowing annoyed him and distracted him from his work. When he got fed up with the cock, he sent his servant to buy it and slaughter it for his meal. He invited a friend of his to the meal and both of them sat waiting for luch. He talked to his friend about the cock and the annoyance it used to cause and described the peace and happi­ happi- ness he was enjoying after he had got rid of the cock's crowing. When the servant brought in the food he explained that their neighbour refused to sell his cock and so he purchased one from the market. Kant became suddenly conscious of the fact the the cock was still crowing. Thinking of this well-knownrvell-known philospher, I 8 found that he felt miserable because of the cock's cry, and he also felt happy although the cock was still crowing. Nothing had changed; the change was inside himself. It was the innerinner man, not the cock, that made him happy or unhappy! I sleep in my house, not disturbed by the rol­rol- ling noise of cars and their horns in the street nor by salesmen's loud voices. Yet, the sound of a footstep or a whisper inside my bedroom would wake me. If I sleep in the train, even the talk of those sitting next to me will not disturb my sleep. What makes me endure the rumbling noises of cars and salesmen, or the train, though a whisper or footstep would rouse me from my sleep? It is because sensation is like a light which, when on, makes things around you visible whether they are pleasing or displeasing to you, and when it is off you fail to hear the noises in the street though they are louder. In fact, you heard the low whisper in your bedroom because you directed your sensation and attention to it; while you missed other sounds because you kept them out of your perception despite their loudness, so they dis­dis- appear as do big things in darkness. Why not divert your attention and sensation from all discomforts of life? Not all discomforts penetrate into your heart. Only what YOU allow 9 into your heart willingly will enter, like a king who allows the enemy into his fortress by leaving a hole in its walls. So why not strengthen and fortify ourselves against pains and discomforts? Two men of equal physical strength may carrycary the same load: the first may complain as if he carried double weight; while the other may laugh and sing as if he carried nothing. Two men of similar physique may suffer from the same illness: one may react pessimistically and always imagine death, thereby increasing illness: while the other may endure patiently, feel optimistic and expect sooner recovery, thereby expediting good health. Bismark, the man of iron and blood, genius of war and peace, could not give up smoking for one moment; he used to light one cigarette from anoth­anoth- er all the day. Without smoking, he was not able to think, plan or take appropriate action. Once, while in war, he found only one cigarette in his pocket, so he put off smoking it to the time hardship. He waited for a full week without smoking, entertaining the hope of using this cigar­cigar- ette in time. He realized that he was able to do without smoking all this time. He decided to stop smoking for good because he did not want his happiness to be dependent on a single cigarette. 1010 Imaginea man whose body was exhausted with illness,illness, and that suddenly he noticed a snake crawlingcrawling.towards him and at once jumped out of his bed as if he were full of health and vigourvigour...... or a man who returned home exhausted with hunger and looking only for a chair to rest on when he received a call from a dear person saying he was coming, or an urgent letter from the Minister call­call- ing him with the news of promotion, he would feel light-hearted and full up and would hurry up to the station in the former or to the Minister's office in the latter. Such powers are the source of happiness!

Dear readers! You are rich, but you do not realizerealize how wealthy you are. Some may suffer from headache, toothache or colic,colic. which makes them feel that life is dark. Why did they not see the bright side of life when they were healthy? If someone goes on a diet, he will long for a mouth­mouth- ful of bread or meat and envy those who enjoy various foods. Why diddicihe not value the pleasures of food before his illness?iilness'i Why does man recog­recog- nize the value of boonsand bountiesonly when he loses them? Why does an old man lament the passing of his youth,while the youngman fails to smile at his vouth?youth? 11 WhyWhy are wewe awareaware of of happinesshappiness onlyonly whenwhen itit isis far fromfrom us?us? AlmostAlmost everybody isis lamentinglamenting and yearningyearning toto his past! Why not think about thethe present before itit becomespart of thethe past?

{<*** d< {< We may ttrinkthink that richness can be attained by possessionof money alone. What can money alone give to man? You may have heardof the sick king who was brought the most delicious meals, but he was unable to eat any of them. Once, he was looking through a window of his palace, when his eyes caught a farmer eating brown bread with black olives: pushing one mouthful into his mouth, taking a second in his hand, and setting his eyes on a third. The king wished he had been a farmer and enjoyed such an appetite. Why don't you recognize thethe value of health? IsIs therethereno valuevaiue forfor health? Who would agree toto givegive upup hishis sightsightfor for aa hundredhundredthousandthousand dollars,dollars, oror partpart ofof hishis nosenoseforfor thethe richesrichesofof aa millionaire?millionaire? GoldGold andandmoney moneycannot cannotgivegive lifelife andandhappiness happinesstoto everyeveryman.man. Rothschild Rothschildenteredenterecl hishis largelargesafe,safe, andand whilewhile hehe waswasinside, inside,itsits doordoorbanged bangedandand he he dieddied inin a a sea seaof of gold.gold. Why Why areare wewe seeking seeking goldgold 12I2 anxiouslyanxiouslythoughthough wewe possesspossessampleample gold?gold? Isn'tIsn't sightsight asas preciouspreciousas as gold?gold? AndAnd healthhealth...... andand timetime...... andand thethe humanhuman mind,mind, too,too,....all....all thesethese arearetreasures. treasures.WhyWhy don'tdon'twe we makemakethethe best bestof of ourour time?time?...... WhyWhy don'tdon'twewe recognizerecognizethethe value valueofof life?life? WhyWhy don'tdon'twewe makemakethethe best bestuseuse ofof ourour minds?minds? Health,Health,time time andand mindmind areare anan invaluableinvaluablewealth thatthat maymay leadlead manman toto happinessifif he takestakesthe the right way. ***,< :r ,< But what is the right way to thatrhat goal which is pursued by man everywhere and at all times throughout history?

*There areare several trends that describe the reality of happiness and the way leading to its attainmentby man. The major trends can be summedup asfollows:

1. SpiritualisticSchool, in which philosophers and theosophistsbelieve that real happiness consistsessentially inin spirituallife.life. 2. MaterialisticSchool or theory, which upholds thatthat real real happiness happiness lieslies inin materialism.materialism. 3.3. RationaiisticRationalistic School, inin whichwhich rationalistsrationalists believebelieve thatthat happinesshappiness cancan bebe attainedattained onlyonly byby reasonreason andand logic. logic. 13 4. Islamic Trend,which statesthat the threetypes of life: the spiritual, the material and the rational are together essential elementsof happy life if they are ruled by the Islamic belief, practiceand values. That is becauseman is a combinationof thosevery threeingredients: the body, mind and spirit: the body is nourishedby food and drink, the mind by knowledge and experiments, and the spirit by faith and goodnessgoodness....But....But it is sound faith that builds up a healthy spirit and gives a realistic and truthful explanation of man's position in this universe, Divine Reality and the basic concept of the Oneness and Perfect Attributes of God, and here we are going to use the name "Allah" for God as it is not associated with any distortions added by upholders of idolatry, polytheism, trinity and other worshippers of false gods.

Let us consider the crimesand evils of modemmodern societies: murders, suicides, rapes, drug abuse, robberies, thefts, and sexual, neurological, psycho­psycho- logical,logical,juvenile and many other abnonnalitiesabnormalities and disorders... the void man suffers because of the absence of true faithfaith thatthat springsspringsfromfrom human nature and does not conflict with logic, reason reasonand established factsfacts of sciencescience....the....the lacklack of aware­aware- ness of thethereal realaim behind man's existence inin thisthis 14I4 universe,universe,i.e.,i.e., to to buildbuild andandestablish establishanan idealidealand and soundsoundsocietysociety controlled controlledbyby thethe instructionsinstructionsandand injunctionsinjunctionsofof hishis MercifulMerciful andandWise Wise CreatorCreatorsoso asas toto freefree manman fromfrom destructivedestructivedrivesdrives andand inclina­inclina- tions,tions,and andthe theworld world fromfrom injusticeinjusticeandand tyranny tyranny...... InIn fact,fact,Islam,Islam, and only Islam, is thethetruetrue Saviour Saviour of humanity and thethe answerto to all problems and questions facedfaced byOt man.-ur; **** * The happiness Islam achieves for man has two major domains: 1. This wordlylv life, both on the individual and collective levels.It seeks to give man a happy life free of cares and evils, characterized by sound faith. It is a life in which every thingrhing should be placed at the service of man: "And He (Allah) has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: behold,in that are Signs indeed for thosewho reflect." (Qur'an 45:13)45:13) Everythingin natureis madeavailable by Al-Al­ lah for the useof man throughthe geniusand fa-fa­ cultiesAllah hasgiven to man. Yet, many peoplebehave adversely as if they were createdto seryeserve wealth and be slaves to the pleasuresand luxuries of life, iosinglosing thereby their freedom of will and becominebecoming servants of 1515 transienttransienttrivialitiestrivialities instead insteadofof beingbeing servantsservants-theofof theirtheir BeneficentBeneficentSustainer Sustainerandand Cherisher,Cf,erister, the EternalEternalandand Almighty Almighry Allah.Allah. AsAs forfor thetheCollective Collectiveaspect,aspect, IslamIslam embracesembraces allall rulesrules andand principles contributingcontributingtoto aa happy society,society,whetherwhether. aa family,family, aa nation or or onon largerfurg., scale,scale,i.e.,i.e., onon thetheintemationallevel. internationallevel.

2. The Eternal Life after Death: The Life after death is a demonstrationdemonsrrationof Divine Justice. That day is a must for the achievement of retributive justicejuitice and settlement ofof- all injustices and outstanding accounts, andand at the same time for the generous iewardreward of good acts. Since we believe that Allah is the OneOne-andand OnlyOrly God with perfect attributes, it would be illogical to entertain the notion that He will leave justice justice unfulfilled. This lifeiife - so full of wrongs,*.o"gr, crimes, inconveniences, good deeds unrewarrCed,unrewarded, and many human _ affairsunsettled - is in fact luiijust an introduintroductoryctory chapter which prepares for the book of eternallife in which .lusticejustice i,is ,.i,or.Arestored gdand ua personmeersmeets with his (or her)just just deserts. The rvrong-doerswrong-doers who havepersisteiipersisted in their sins and wrong-doing wrong-doing and failedio to repent-punishmlnrand give up soundconducrconduct wiilwill go toto endless punishment i;in Hell. While rhosethose with good recordsand 16 righteous deed,sdeeds will receive generous reward and attainuttiin real and eternal happiness in the Heaven of Allah, in Paradise or the Garden of Eden.Eden'That is the abode of perfect bliss, which deserves to be sincerely and industriously sought by man.man' There may be some difficulties and handicaps on the road to this exalted goal of wise and faithful people, as stated by the Prophet Muhammad "Hell is tp.i."(Peace and blessingsblessingj be upon him) thatttrat "Hell surroundediunoundedwith whims and waton desires, while the Garden is surrounded with hardships."hardships'" Such hardships will serve as a test of man's goodly nature andind of his truthful insistence on the attain­attain- ment of Allah's pleasure and reward.reward' A trader may spend sleepless nights and put upup-withwith arduousardlous efforts in order to win a gainful deal.deal' However, the eternaletemallife in the abode of happiness is the biggest deal which man has ever competed or striven to attain. But what is Paradise like? The answer can only be found in the word of Al­Al- lah in His Glorious Qur'an or in the words of His Gracious Prophet (Peace and blessings be uponupol him), who is ihethe genuine Authority onon, thethe- af­af- fairs of the seen andind unseen in general and the Hereafter in particular, as he learntleamt about such re­re- alities through-All-a*u.e,Revelation received from the All­Ail- knowing, All-aware, Absolute Allah.Allah' Thethe 17n righteous righteous soulsoul ofof aa goodgood believerbeliever returnsreturnstoto itsits

..L:.d-'we.llLord "well pleasedpleased andand wellwell pleasing":pleasing,,: "(To"(To.the.righteousthe righteous soulsoul will will bebLsaid:) said:i "0"O (thou)(thou)soul,soul, inin (complete)(complete)restrest andand satisfaction!satisfaction! "Come"Comeback thou thou toto thythy Lord,Lord, well-pleasedwell_pleased (thyself),(thyself),and well-pleasing unto Him! "Enterthou,thou, then,then, among my-y Devotees! "Yea,enter thouthou My Heaven!" (Qur'an,(Qur'an, 89:27-30)Bg:Zl -i0)

The above passage refers to the state of freedom and and ease, to the final and everlasting stage,rug. ofo1 human human bliss, when the righteous soul of the righteous believer, at peacepeacJwithwith its Lord, certain of its way and fate, is welcomedamong those servants of AIIahAllah chosen roto enjoy this bir,,ineDivine grace and to receiveAllah's me.cymercy and protection. "Every - "Every soul shall shall have a taitetaste of^death:of death: and only on-theon the Day of Jud_gmentJudgment shall you U.be puiJpaid your your fullrecompense.full recompense. Only he wholswho is .uu.d^saved fu.far rromfrom the tstreFire and admittedto the Gardenwill have succeeded:for the life of this world is but gooAigoods and and chattelsof deception."(Holydeception."(Holy eur'an,Qur'an, f3:185) :tfS)

The blessingsof paradiseParadise cannot be concei,vedconceived 18 *in thisthis life,life, and are not, therefore,therefore, things things of thisthis world:

"Now no personknows what delightsof the a eye are kept hidden (in reserve) for them as a rewardfor their (good)Deeds"'Deeds." (Qur'an,32:t7)(Qur'an, 32:17) the Prophet's An explanation^ of this is given in the (p.uce(Peace anOand blessings bebe upon him) tradition mentioned in Imam bukhari'sBukhari's compilation of Hadith:Hadith:- "Allahi'Ailuh says: I have prepared for my righteous servants that which no eye has ever seen,seen'no ear has ever heard,hsard, and no man's mind has ever conceived.conceived."" We read in the Glorious Qur'an about the Garden or Gardens of everlasting bliss passages the meaning of which runs as follows: "Allah"Aliah hath promisedpromiseclto Believers,llelievers'men and women, Gardens under which rivers f1ow,to dwell therein,therein, and beautiful mansions inin Gardens of everlasting stay.stay. But thethegreatest bliss isis thetheGood Good PleasurePleasureofof God: ThatThatisis thethesupreme supremefelicity."feiicity." (Qur'an, (Qur'an,9:72)9:72) "My"My devotees!devotees!NoNo fearfearshall shallbebe onon youyou todaytoday nornor shallshallye Yegrieve" grieve" 19t9 "Those who have believed in our SignsSiensand submitted (to Us)." "Enter ._ "Enter ye the Garden, ye and your wives, in (beauty and) rejoicing. "To them will be passed round, dishes and goblets of gold: there willwiil be there all that the souls could desire, all that the eyes could delight in: and ye shall abide thereinrherein (for aye). "Such will be the Garden of which ye areare'mademade heirs for your (good) deeds (in life). "Ye shall have therein abundance of fruit,fruit. from which ye shall eat." (Qur'an, 43:68-73)43:6g-73)

What for sinners and disobedient criminals? "The Sinners will in the Punishmentpunishmentof Hell,Hell. to dwell therein (for aye): "Nowise will the (punishment) be lightened for them, and in despair will they be there over­over_ whelmed. "Nowise shall We be unjust to them: but it is they who have been unjust themselves." (Qur'an, 43:74-76)43:74-76)

****** 2A20 TheThe needneed to to discussdiscuss thisthis subjectsubject of of "happiness""happiness" hashas arisenarisen asas aa resultresult ofof variousvarious reasonsreasons somesome ofof whichwhich maymay bebe summedsummed asas followsfollows: :

(1)(l) PeoplePeople couldcould belongbelong toto differentdifferent religiousreligious denominations,denominations, oror schoolsschools ofof thought,thought, couldcould have different feelings,wishes and aspirations, yet they are apparently in total agreementabout ihethe puisuitpursuit of one goal in their lifelife: : that is happiness. This is true of all persons- believersand non-believers, rulers and ruled, rich and poor, they all toil to achieve happiness.

(2) Notwithstanding the consensus of all human beings on seeking happiness, it isis however, surprisingsurylsing how differentdifferent individualsindividuals andand differentdifferent- groupsgroups ofof people have chosen chosenand and defineddefined forfoi themselvesthemselves differingdiffering waysways andand avenuesavenuestoto achieveachievethis this commoncommongO,al.go,al. AndAnd inin soso doingdoing aa largelarge numbernumber ofof themthemseem seem toto havehave missedmissed thethe properproper avenuesavenues toto thisthis goalgoal andand havehave consequentlyconsequently failedfailed toto achieveachieveany any happinesshappinessthroughout throughout theirtheir liveslives butbut onlyonly havehave succeededsucceededinln attainingattainingwhat what cancanbe betermed termed asas "illusory""illusory" andand "transitory""transitory" happinesshappinessas as 21 opposed to "real" and "pennanent""permanent"happiness. Hence, the attempt in this book to re-directr-e_direct these people to the proper course of action to be able to achieve the sought-after happiness.

_ The aboveabove,as,as well as many other reasons, have led to our discussion of this importantimportani subject with a sincere hope that this treatiseireatise would prove of help to many who are earnestly searching for real happiness. 2222 DEFINITIONDEFINITION OFOF HAPPINESSHAPPINESS

WHATWHAT ISIS HAPPINESS?HAPPINESS? 'Webster's RccorditgAccording toto 'Webster's ThirdThird NewNew InternationalInternational Dictionary',happiness isis a stateof well-beingwell-being characteri2edbyielativecharacterized by relative perrnanence,pennanence, by domi-domi­ nantly agreeable emotion rangingin value from mere contentment to deepand intensejoyjoy in living, and by a naturaldesire for its continuation. "In tlethe distinctionbetween this termtenn and its synonyms (i.e., felicity, beatitude, blessedness, bliss),Uiiss),it defines HAPPINESS"HAPPINESS"' , as the general tennterm denoting enjoyment of or pleasureable satisfaction inin well-being,security, or fulfillment of wishes. FELICITY, a more bookish or elevated word, may denote denote aa higher, more lasting,lasting,oror moremore perfectperfecthappiness. happiness.BEATITUDEBEATITUDE refersrefersin in thisthissense sensetoto thethehighest hlghesthappiness,happiness, thethe felicity felicity ofof thetheblessed.blessed. BLESSEDNESSBLESSEDNESS suggestssuggeststhethe deepdeep joyjoy ofofpurepure affectionaffection oror ofof acceptanceacceptancebyby God.God. BLISSBLISS maymay apply apply toto aa complete completeandand assured assured felicity."felicity." SomeSomestudentsstudents ofof education educationandand psychologypsychology definedefine HAPPINESSHAPPINESSasas the thecontinued continuedfeelingfeeling or or statestateofof delight,delight,contentment,contentment, andand joyjoy emanatingemanatingfromfrom the the 23 pennperrnanentanent sense of self-goodness, goodness of lifelife and goodness of man's destiny.

SOURCES OF HAPPINESS Different individualsindividuals and groups of people may have differentdifferenr ideasideas withwirh regard.egaid to the best ways of achieving happiness. However, there are several theories and speculations which manymanv a people share as constituting the main sources of happiness. These may be classifiedclasiifiedas follows:follows :

(1) Wealth (2) Rank and position. (3) Educational achievements (Academic and Honorary Degrees). (4) Fame (i.e., in politics, arts,aits, sports,sporrs, science, etc.).

(1) HAPPINESS IN WEALTH Wealth Wealth if,is, probably, the element mostly asso­asso_ ciated, if _not synonymous, with happiness as manymanypeoplepeople think. This understand ing so deep­deep_ rooted in the hearts of so many, totoihe the extent thattut almostalmost.everywhereeverywhere people are engrossed in the acquisition of wealth.Theyih.y look towards wealthwealth.asas the primal constituent of happinessto the point that for them the two are entwined. 2424 HowHow happyhappy^empires, areare thosethose men men andand womenwomen whowho ownown businessbusiness empires, widewide expansesexpanses ofof landland andand estates,estates, largelarge bank bank dePosits,deposits, etc?etc? ManyMany indeedindeed are are thosethose people people who who ownown millionsmillions oror even billionsbillions butbut areare sufferingsuffering from from anan almostalmost pernanentpermanent"u"t lacklack ofof peacepeace of of mindmind asas aa resultresult ofof tirethe fear theythey have over theirtheir wealth thethe fear of, say, political turmoils,market movements, wars, piund^ers,plunders, theft, etc. And not only doessuch fear lead to sleeplessnights for these people but eve1tevep tensions, mental anguish,heart attacks and deaths. Very often one comes across reports in the media such as the following :

* Fortunes lost and lives follow in financial market crashcrash.....! .....! ** A TokyoTokyo tradertradershotshot himself afterafterappa apparentlyrently losinglosingmoney moneyin in thethe stockstockmarket..!market--! ** Australia'sAustralia's richestrichestmanman was wasrushed rushedtoto hospitalhospitalin in seriousseriouscondition,condition, Sunday,Sunday' afteraftersufferingsuffering aa heart heartattack.attack....! ... !

UnderstandingUnderstandingandand acceptingacceptingthatthat happiness happinesshashas nothingnothing toto dodo withwith amassmentamassmentofof wealthwealthis is perhapsperhapsthethe most mostliberating liberatingrealizationrealization wewe can canever ever comecometo.to. AmpleAmplematerial materialisis readily readilyavailableavailable fromfrom thethelives lives 25 of many people to prove our dictum "wealth is not equal to happiness".

QAARUNOAARUN Qarun's (Kora) story serves as a typical ex-ampleex^-ampleof opulent people- whose wealthwialth infused them with pride and and arrogance and made them forget the role of wealth in inhan'sman's life. Wealth should be used for the achievement of the welfare of man and his society in accor­accor_ dance with the will and commandments of Al­Al_ mighty Allah, Who has granted granredman his exis­exis_ tence, faculties, powers, sustenance and resources. His story is told in the Holy Qur'an:eur'an: ""...... SuchSuch were the treasure We had bestowed on him, that their very keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Behold, his people said to him: Exult not, for Allah loveth not those who exult (in riches)." (Qur'an,(eur'an, 28:76) 2g:76) Then, "So he went forth among his people in the (pride of his wordly) glitter".glitter;. (Qur'an,28:79) (eur'an, 2g:79)

When he was in therhe hey-dayhey-day of his glory, worldly people envied him and thought hownow hap­nap_ py they would be if only they were in his place. 2626 ButBut wisewise peoplepeoplewere were notnot dazzledby by Qaarun'sQaarun's fabulousfabulous wealth,wealth, becausebecausetheythey realizedrealizedthe the tran-tran­ sientsient naturenature ofof worldlyworldly treasures treasures andand theythey werewere certaincertain thatthat thethe truetrue wealthwealth isis thethe rewardreward ofof Al-Al­ lahlah (in(in thethe Hereafter)Hereafter) forfor thosethose whowho be-be­ lievelieve andand workwork rightesousness.rightesousness. (Vide(Vide thethe Qur'an,Qur'an, 28:80) to Qaarun lived ostentatiously and appeared to *unymany of his people "a lord ofof mighty good fortune." They admired his gloriousappearance fortune." They admired 'illusory but forgot his reality. All this was 'illusory happines'happineJ'or, at least, transient happiness, just like a dream or a movie. What was thethe end? What happened toto all that pomp,^ wealth, pridePride andand arrogance?arrogance? "Then,"T'hen.WeWe causedcausedthethe earthearthto to swallowswallow up him andandhishis house; house;andand hehe hadhadnotnot (the(theleastleast little)little) par­ par- tyty toto helphelphim him againstagainstAllah,Allah, nornor couldcouldhe he defenddefend himself."himself."(Qur'an(Qur'an 28:81)28:81)

CHRISTINACHRISTINAONASSIS ONASSIS HereH.t. liesti"J anotheranother eventfuleventful storystory whichwhich provedproved beyondbeyonddoubtdoubt that that wealth,wealth, whateverwhateverthethe amountimountone o.teholds,holds, cannot cannotbyby itself itselfbebe the thebasis basisforfor thethe achievementachievementofof realrealhappiness! happiness!Here Here isisthe the storystory whichwhich forfor yearsyearsdominated

(2) HAPPINESSIN RANK ANpgOSITIONANDPOSITION Could real happiness be attained through the acquirementof high rank or position in society? To many the answer is in the affirmative.affinnative. This is apparentlydue to lack of deepinsight in the natureof rank or position and the responsibili-responsibili­ ties which they involve. In Islam, holding any position, rank or office is first and foremost regarded as a trust and, therefore, constitutes an obligation, and a legal as well as moral responsi­responsi- bility. Therefore, those to be entrusted with such roles could only be citizens who are possessed of unquestionable competence, integrity and virtue. Only a righteous and competent person can shoul­ shoul- der responsibility and use his position or office for public welfare. Such a person would be able to dispense justice based on moral value and promote sound sound administration. He would promote and enhance thethe well-being of his people by handling theirtheir affairsaffairs inin aa mannermanner thatthat isis inin accordanceaccordancewithwith publicpublic interest.interest. InIn return,return,hehe wouldwould earneam hishis people'speople's obedience,obedience,support,support, loyaltyloyalty andand coop­coop- eration.eration. Thus,Thus, hehe would would lovelove doingdoing hishis jobjob 313l becausebecauseultimately ultimatelyhe hewould would bebe blessedblessed withwith joy,joy, happiness,contentmenthappiness,contentmentandand satisfaction.satisfaction.

However,However,anyany personperson whowho isis entrustedentrustedwithwith au­au- thoritythority overoverothers othersandand does doesnotnot conductconducthishis affairsaffairs ononthe thebasisbasis ofof justicejusticeandand moralmoral standards, standards,would definitelydefinitelybe be responsibleresponsibleforfor maladministration.maladministration. HisHis positionpositionwouldwould onlyonly be a source of misery and corruptioncorruptionwithwith issuesissuessuchsuch as the following: following: *Loss*Lossof of public confidence. *Rift*Rift between thethe ruler and the ruled. *Tension,*Tension,fearfear and insecurityinsecurityof life and position on the part of the ruler. *The*The ruler's internalintemal restlessness and agonies of conscience. *Upsurge of enemies and oppositions from amongst the ruled. *Ruler going to great lengths to protect his position - at times at any cost,even if that may meanthe sheddingof blood. *Public revolt. *Coups d'etat. **Assassinations.Assassinations.

Hardly does a year pass by around thethe worldworld without closingwith thethe newsnews ofof miserablemiserable falls,falls, overthrows and/orassassinations ofof unwantedunwanted 3232 rulers,rulers, kings,kings, emperors,emperors, premiers,premiers, presidents,presidents, etc.etc. RecentRecent casescases includeinclude the the following:following:

The Shahof IranIran The Shah of IranIran whowho onceonce organizedorganized an an interna-interna­ tional ceremonytoto commemoratethethe passingpassing ofof 2500 years since the birth of thethe "Persianstate"!state"! But when the end came it was heavy. HeHe waswas "chased" out of his country by a massivepublic revolt and spent the rest of his life "wandering" from one country to anotheruntil he eventually died a miserable death in Egypt as a result of a chronic cancer.

Ferdinand MarcosMarcos TheTheman man whowho for 20 years literally "owned" the PhilippinesPhilippines andand ruledruledit it as if it were a "family enterprise",enterprise", camecame toto aa terrible end. He was "thrown""thrown"outout ofof hishis countrycountryby thethemasses and spentspent severalseveralyears years thereafterthereafter inin exileexile inin various "hide-outs""hide-orrts"underunder tight tight securitysecurityforfor fearfear ofof beingbeing murdered.murdered.

JeanJean BedelBedel Bokassa,Bokassa, thethe self-proclaimedself-proclaimed "Emperor""Emperor"ofof thetheRepublic Republicofof CentralCentralAfrica.Atiica. HereHerewas was aa manman whowho spentspentforfor hishis coronationcoronation moremore thanthan hishis country'scountry's totaltotal grossgross nationalnational 3333 product.product.He He waswaslater later toppledtoppledbyby hishiscountrymen countrymen andand atat presentpresenthehe isis servingservinga a life-imprisonmentlife-imprisonment sentence.sentence.

NicolaeNicolaeCeausescuCeausescu TheTheman man dweltdweltin in aa palacepalacebuiltbuilt inin "pure"puregold"gold" for for aa periodperiod ofof moremore thanthan20 20 yearsyearsasas the the "owner""owner" ofof Romania! To suppresssuppressa public revoltrevolt he used tankstanks and artillery soso thatthat by the end of the revolution 64,000 people were reported to have been killed inin the cities. He was laterlatercaught while trying to escape out of his country and was "slaughtered" before the eyes of the public!

Rajiv Gandhi He was assassinated in public and closed the chap­chap- ter of an unpopulardynasty.

The list is inexhaustive.It is a wonder.wonder, however.however, how all evil men havemuch in common- but the sureend of all evil is evil! 5+34 (3)(3) EDUCATIONALEDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTSACHIEVEMENTS (ACADEMIC(ACADEMIC ANDAND HONORARYHONORARY DEGREES)DEGREES)

Then,where isis happiness?Is itit inin obtainingthethe highestlevellevel of educationand in in earningdoctorate degrees? It is true that Islam not only encouragesbut also requiresman to seekknowledge and live in the light of learning.Islam is a way of life basedon knowledgeand not on superstition. Prophets are the sources of divine knowledge,and the first di­di- vine revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) begins with the word "IQRA" meaning "READ". In that same revelation, Allah,(Glory be to Him) tells mankind that He (Allah) taught man "with the pen" and taught man "what he did not know". Much emphasis isis placed inin Islam on the need forfor excellent excellent learning,learning, thatthat inin the the Holy Qur'an,Qur'an, Allah, GloryGlory be to Him, teachesteaches mankindmankindthethe followingfollowing supplications: supplications: "".....and.....and saysay 0 O mymy Lord,Lord,advance advancememe inin knowl­knowl- edge".edge".(Qur'an,(Qur'an, 22:114)22:ll 4) InIn anotheranotherverseverse ofof thethe holyholy Qur'an,Qur'an,AllahAllah tellstells mankind:mankind: "".....those.....those trulytruly fear fearAllah Allah amongamongHisHis servantsservants whowhohave haveknowledge."knowledge." (Qur'an,(Qur'an, 35:28)35:28) 3535 Yet,Yet, inin anotheranother verseverseofof thethe HolyHoly Qur'an,Qur'an,AllahAllah questionsquestionsmankind:mankind: "".....are.....are theythey equal, equal,thosethose whowho knowknow andandthose those whowho dodonot notknow? know?(Qur'an, (Qur'an,39:9)39:9) ProphetProphetMuhammadMuhammad (peace(peace bebe upon uponhim)him) alsoalsoleftleft behind many authentic sayingssayings and teachings teachingsinin thisthis regard regard emphasizing thethe importanceimportance and superioritysuperiorityof knowledge.In one of thesethesesayings,sayings, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that seeking knowledge isis every Muslim's duty.

Such is the concept of Islam with regard to learningleaming that it leaves wide open all fields of thought before the human intellect to penetrate as far as it could reach. It frees, and lays down no restrictions against, the free-thinker who seeks knowledge to widen his vision and broaden his mind. However,such intellectual development is not and could not be pursuedas an absolute objec­objec- tive in itself. It could not be independentbut would remain throughout on the plane of faith with the moral valuesbased on the truereligion of Allah, thatis Islam. It is only by doing so that a person'sintellect getsa compietecomplete "nourishment" and his intellectual life becomes enriched so as to be constructive an

"Two DOCTORS were fined and given prison sentences yesterday for performing a sex-change operation on a patient..patient.....He...He (the sex-change victim) filed a complaint in 19841984 asserting that the operation had not been successful and that he was in constant pain. Four years later he committed suicidesuicide...... " " A WOMAN DOCTOR cries out saying: "Take away my certificate and give me a hus­hus- band".band""Let us read what that poor woman doctor writes in her own words: "Every morningat 7:00 o'clock, I shed tears behindthe chauffeur who drived me in my car to my medicalclinic 'prison 'prison cell' oror'grave'."She 'grave'."She goes on saying: "Every time I reachedmy destination,I found women and childrenwaiting for me. They looked at me with admirationand regardedmy white coat as if it werea luxuriouskind of clothesmade of Persian silk, yet it was to my view - the'moumer'sthe 'mourner's 38 clothes'.And every time I reachedmy clinic, I fixed the stethoscope,as if it were a hangman's ropetied aroundmy neck. Now, I am in my thirties and I am very pessimistic aboutthe future." Then, shecries out! "Take away my certificate, my coats and my moneyand let me hearthe word MUM". Then she writes a few lines describing her innerfeelings: "People would call me a doctor, but what benefit do I get from hear-hear­ ing it? So, tell those people who considered me as a good example, that now I am to be pitied. All I want and hope for is to have my own child to hug and caress. But, can I buy it with allail my Money?" Just look at what happens to the woman doctor. How she describes her everyday agony and how she thinks of her medical as a prison cell and a grave. Inln short,does she enjoy her profes­profes- sion? Does she get any levellevel of satisfactionand contentment inin life?life? The answer is is leftleft to the reader.reader.....

(4) HAPPINESS IN FAME There are two activities with which fame fameisis usually associated: * SportingSporting * ActingActine 3939 How much happiness do thethe "famous""famous"men and women inin activities enjoy? Let us taketake a brief looklook at each of thesethesetwotwo activities in tum.turn.

SportingSporting It isis gratifying to note that mostmosr of the Islamic forms of worship, e.g. prayers, fasting and pilgrimage, display some sporting characteris­characteris- tics, although they arebasically by nature meant for spiritual purposes. But who would deny the constant interaction between the physique and morale of man? Yet, that is not all that Islam has to say on the subject of sports and physical exercises. Any sporting activity that promotes sound thinking or refreshes the mind and revital­revital- izes the body to keep man in healthy shape is encouraged by Islam. The general Islamic precept in this matter is the statement in which the Prophet (peace be uponhim) says:

"The strong believer is betterthan the weak one." (Reported by Imam Ahmad,Muslim and Ibn Majah on the authorityof Abu Huraira)

PhysicaiPhysicalexercises and sporting activities are valu-valu­ able things in themseh,es,themselves, but they should 40 only be takenfor what they are worth,i.e.,to pre-pre­ pare our minds and bodiesfor the more serious mattersof life. They should not be taken as an end in themselvesor be allowed to deflect away our mindsor blur our visions to appreciate the more serious requirements of our inner lives.lives .

Sporting has almost become a sort of a "religion" for sportsmen, "it runs in their blood"lblood"!

Therefore, if sportsspofrs areare carriedcarried to such an ex­ex- treme,treme.one could not fail to realize the kind of "suffering" to which such men and women lead their lives. Thus: *The internal feelings and pressures to win over, say, a particular game - and at times at any cost, even that may mean taking prohibited drugs. * The "big blow" upon losing a game; the despair, the embarrassment, the agony, the shame and the ridicule from the "fans". * The loss of job, quitting from the team after losing a game or, worse, being fired!

Therefore, we need to ask the question whether or not a lifelife exposed to such physical danger, ordeal and shortcomings isis a happy one? TIleThe answer isis leftleft to you,thevou.thereader..reader....! .. ! 41 The sports media is full of stories such as the fol­fol- lowing: "Sports activities proved dangerous with basketball injuries alone accounting for more than 640,000 hospital visits last year, new U.S. safe­ safe- ty figures showshow...." ...." "Three football playing veterans died of heart attacks during an internationalintemationalgolden oldiesoldies...." ...." "Liverpool's Mcmahon broke his leg in a tackle during the F.A. cup clash yesterdayyesterday..." ..." "Cuban running star, Ana Quirot, says she plans to quit from sports after the 1992 Barcelona Olympics because she wants to become a mother.mother.....I've....I've been running for 15 years andand.....I .... .1 want to be a mother nownow...... " " "Canadian sprinter, Ben Johnson, was stripped of the Olympic 100-meter1OO-metertitle and world record in Seoul after testing positive for Steroid drugsdrugs...." .... " "U.S. shot-putter, Jim Doehring, ranked third in the world, has been suspended for two years from the field after failing a drug test..test...... " .... "

There are other stories similar to these which we could reproduce here in support of our argument, but for the sake of time and space let us have a look at just one more case without which I could not have done justice to a subject discussing 42 men, sports, fame and happiness. This was the story of Diego Maradona! For a time his name was everywhere; in all media and literally on all com- mercial products and advertisements. Football earnedeamed him "wealth" and "pride".His luxury cars were estimated to the tune of $1 mil­mil- lion, including a Ferrari F-40 wor.thworth$323,000 besides the Rolls Royces and the BMW's.

He was in all that and even more! But hardly did he complete 4 years in that "fame""fame","wealth","wealth" and "prominence" when the world had to read a much more different kind of story about him! He used cocaine for an Italian league match! What were the consequences? He was wanted in Italian courts for a related case of "cocaine possession": and a few weeks after returning to his native homeland of Argentina, he was arrested for another round of cocaine possession and for supplying the drug free to others and his treasure, including the luxury cars, were put to auction! What else? Blame, ridicule, shame, dis­dis- appointmentappointrnentand resentment from people of all walks, but largely, fromfrorn his "loyal fans" and particularlyparticulariy so, those in Italy whose anger and dismay was loud enough. In one newspaper report which according to a public opinion poll, 43 Maradona was voted Italy's most hated man and similarly in anotheranotl-lerreport, a banner headline went as follows: "Italians hate Maradona" claiming that he sets a bad example for the young people. Did Diego Maradona achieve any real happiness from his foofa11foofall "profession"? The answer to this ques­ques- tion could, of course,course.best be given by none other than himself and he did so. During his "career" days he frequently used to say "Soccer is in my blood and I want kids there (Argentina) to get Soccer running in their blood". However, months after his debacle he had some different confes­confes- sions to the worldworid which went as follows: "I will not play soccer professionally again. It is an irrevocableirrevocabiedecisiondecision...the ...the Argentine national team is also a closedciosed chapter for me. I want to quit because I am sick of the pressure and the dis­ dis- ciplinecipline....I... .! am not blaming soccer but everything that sorrounds soccer and I am scared of having to face a situation of that kindkind....I ... .! am not hiding my problems with drugsdrugs."..there....there is something deeper here than simply having taken co­ co- cainecaine....I... .! find I don't'don'tENJOY myselfrnyself anymoreanymore...." ...." He made mention of jov,joy, but do these confessions portray him as having experienced joy? If so, then, that is the subject of our discussion in this treatise and that is whatrvhatwe areArecalling "illusory", 44 "artificial" or "fake" joy as opposed to any "abiding", "real" and "lasting" happinesswhich could not be earnedeamedby "devotion" to soccer or otherwise. Rather, it is by the understanding of the purpose of life as prescribedby Allah for us to make it the ideal basis in pursuit of our objectives in this world which is the inculcation and development of internal nourishment that would embody and infuse together the spiritual, moral and other virtues,virtues.required of man. Allah (Glory be to Him) said: "Leave alone those who take their way of life to be mere play and amusement and are deceived by the life of this world. But proclaim (to them) this (truth): that every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own acts: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah." (Qur'an,6:70)(Qur'an,6:70)

Acting Here we specifically refer to those persons directly engaged in the field of entertainment entefiainment namely, film and stage actors, singers, danc­danc- ers, etc. Is the world of entertainment a source of true happiness? Far from the commonconunon man, it it isis surprising how many people still equate happiness with fun. The truth of the matter,matter. however,however.is that fun and 45 happiness have little or nothing in common. The correct and logical conclusion would be that fun is what we experience during an act, while happiness is what we experience after an act. It is a deeper, more enduring, more meaningful and more abiding emotion. Going to an amusement park or to a ball game, watching a movie or televi­televi- sion are fun activities that "may" help someone to relax. One may temporarily forget his prob­prob- lems and even may laugh. But these are things which do not and could not definitely bring any real happiness to the person because their posi­posi- tive effects usually last only as long as the fun lasts.

A much deeper analysis into the matter is achieved when we envisage and look into fun and entertainment around us. I could not help the thought that if these movie, TV, music and thea­thea- tre "stars" had anything to demonstrate, it is that happiness has nothing to do with fun. It is a fact that these individuals have constant access to abundant wealth, glamorous parties, fancy cars, expensive homes and everything that "seems to spell happiness". However, memoir after memoir with so much information is exposed about these "celebrities" unveiling the sorrow hidden beneath 46 all their fun e.g., depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, children out of wedlock, broken marriages, troubled children, illicit relations, loneliness, mental anguish, ignominy, etc. Could there be a way to deny all these facts? Hardly does a day pass by without coming across some stories in the media such as the following:

"Elizabeth Taylor, who was once considered to be one of the legends of film makers and film viewers, again at the age of 59 got married for the seventh time to Larry Fortensky, 39 years old, a construction worker. She said after the marriage 'I ceremony 'I hope this is for life'. Like most celebrities, she is apparently still looking for happiness which her fame failed to provide for her during the peak of her career. But now she wants to evade her "fame" which deprived her of 'I've true happiness. She added: 'I've done everything I can to give me up'up'......

"A pathologist who helped performperfomr the autopsy 'n' on Elvis Presly says the king of rock 'n' rollroli died of DRUGS and not heart diseasedisease....'it ....'it wasrvas a deadly mix of drugs that killed himhim...." ...." 'I'll "Twice-divorced DyanDvan Cannon says:savs: 'I'll keepkeeoon 4747 tryingtryingmarriage marriageuntiluntil II getgetit it right'.right'. TheThe54-year-old 54-year-oldactressactress saidsaid in in thetheMarch March10 10issue issue ofof Parade Parade magazinemagazine thatthat her her firstfirst divorcedivorce fromfromthe thelate, late,CaryCary Grant, Grant,waswas notnot amicable amicable...,'... "

"Soul_!oyt legend,legend,JamesJames Brown,Brown, was was granted grantedparole,parole, Wednesday,Wednesday,afterafter being being imprisonedimprisonedforfor moremore thanthantwotwo years forfor assaultassaultandand drugdrug useuse...." ...."

"Screensiren, Kim Basinger, says she can be wild without drugs and alcohol. The 37 years old actress admits in the February issue of Cosmo­Cosmo- politan magazinemagazinein New Yyorkark that she's done a lot of wild things, including drugs and plenty of 'When and of partying.'When I camecarneto Los Angeles, I said I want to take every thing; I want to try it all'...(Basinger)all'...(Basinger) said she would like to marry again..She was marriedfor eight yearsto make-make­ up artistRon Briton.They weredivorced in 1989."

"TV comedian,Jamie Lee Curtis,says she doesn't likelike thethe kindkind ofof personalpersonal demanddemand placedplaced onon somesome womenwomen actressesactresses inin thethe actingacting career. career. ManyMany ofof themthem havehave nono children.children. II wouldn'twouldn't wantwant those those kindskinds ofof demandsdemands piacedplaced onon mymy life...."life...."

"Cheyenne"Cheyenne Brando,Brando, thethe 20-year20-year oldold daughterdaughterofof 4848 actoractor MarlonMarlon brandobrando arrivedarrived inin ParisParis onon TuesdayTuesday forfor mentalmental treatmenttreatment followingfollowing twotwo suicidesuicide atte-atte­ mptsmpts lastlast yearyear afterafter thethe highlyhighly publicizedpublicized killing killing ofof herher father...."father...."

"Actor-singer,Larry Kert, died Wednesdaynight of AIDS...."AIDS...."

"Pop singer,Billy Preston,was arrested at his Malibu home Sunday after a 16-year old boy complained that he had been sexually assaulted by the singersinger...."...." The list is inexhaustible and that is the life ram­ram- pant in the entertainment and fun industry. Do these cases, therefore, portray the lives of men and women enjoying any sort of real happiness? NEVER! INDEED.INDEED.

Yet,Yet, peoplepeoplecontinuecontinue toto believebelievethatthat the thenext, next,more more glamorousglamorous party,party, moremore expensiveexpensivecar, car'moremore luxuriousluxurious vacation,vacation, fancierfancier homehome wouldwould dodo whatwhat allall thethe otherother parties,parties,cars, cars,vacations vacationsand and homeshomeshavehave not not beenbeenableable to to do.Thedo.Thewayway peoplepeople areareinclined inclined toto believebelievethat that aa fun-filled,fun-filled, pain-freepain-free andandcare-free care-freelifelife isisequal equaltoto happinesshappinessactuallyactually di­di- minishesminishestheir their chanceschancesofof everever attainingattaining truetrue happiness.happiness. 4949 WhileWhile discussingdiscussing funfun andand entertainment,entertainment,aa subjectsubjectmattermatter which,which, we we feel,feel,must mustnot not gogounmen­ unmen- tionedtioned isis thetheproduct productwhichwhich thesethesemenmen and andwomen women ofof stagestageand and screenscreenhavehave forfor theirtheir "fans""fans" andand "viewers""viewers" thethe substance,substance,thethe quality, quality,thethe valuesvalues andandthe the effectseffectsonon popularpopularcultureculture andand standards. standards. AndAnd inin thisthis regard,regard,wewe havehave reproduced,reproduced,hereherebe- be­ low,low, somesomeexcerptsexcerpts fromfrom twotwo thought-provokingthought-provoking articlesarticlesfromfrom some international internationalU.S. Publicationspublicationi discusssing different aspects of the problem. The writers of the reports were, of course, discuss­discuss- ing the extent and seriousness of the matter with reference to and in the context of the U.S.,U.S..but the problem is global and all over.

ARTICLE ONE - BY: MichaelMichdelMedved The valueof self-disciplineso essentialto normal family life is portrayedonly rarely in the popular culture.Nearly two-thirdsof all American adults aremarried, but moviestoday focus overwhelm-overwhelm­ ingly on singlepeople. And ihosethose few films rharthat do show a familyfamily most often depic a marriage thatthat isis radicallyradically dysfunctional (completely(completely abnor-abnor­ mal)mal) withwith aa husbandhusband accusedaccused ofof attemptingattempting toto murder hishis wifewife (as(as in in ReversalReversal ofof Fortune)Fortune) oror aa wifewife sleepingsleeping withwith herher husband'shusband's femalefemale friend friend (as(as inin HenryHenry && June)June) or or thethe marriedmarried pairpair killingkilling 5050 eacheach other other (as(as inin TheThe WarWar ofof thethe Roses).Roses). WhenWhen II complainedcomplained about about thethe destructivedestructive productproduct ofof thethe entertainmententertainment industry, industry, colleaguescolleagues urgedurged meme toto stop worrying; it'sit's a simple matter toto tunetune out. An incident lastlast springreminded reminded me itit was not so easyto do that. My family and I went on an out-out­ ing toto a public park on a mountainlake near Santa Barbara,California. Our daughters,ages one and three, went toddling off toward the ducks. The one-yearold was saying,"Duckie! Duckie!" one of her first words - and reaching out to the birds with her chubby arms.arrns.My wife and I looked on with satisfaction. But soon a group of teen-agers carrying a "boom box" arrived at the lake shore. Coming out of their shiny chrome machine was a rape song fullfull of four-letterfour-letterwords describing raperape andand fecesfeces andand oraloral volume. Our girlsgirls had never heard thosethose particular words before. TheyThey werewerefrightened frightened byby thethenoise noiseandand started startedtoto cry.cry.I I supposesupposewewe couldcouldhavehave stayedstayed andand mademade aa scene,scene, butbut II don't don't carrycarry assaultassaultweaponsweapons inin mymy trunk.trunk.Instead Insteadwewe abandonedabandonedthethe beautifulbeautifui scenescene toto thosethosebrutishbrutish kids.kids. TheThe pointpoint isis thatthat youyoucan't can't justjust tunetune outout thethe popularpopularculture cuituretoday.The today.Themessages,messages: thethe images, images, areare everywhere.everywhere.IsIs itit aa coincidencecoincidencethatthat the the 5151 warwar onon standardsstandardsinin art,art,music,music, televisiontelevision andand filmfilm correspondscorrespondswith with increasinglyincreasinglydestructivedestructive behaviourbehaviouronon the thepart partof of thetheyoung youngpeople peoplewhowho are are thethemost mostdevoted devotedconsumersconsumeis ofof"these these media?media? IsIs theretherenono connection connectionbetweenbetween thethe media's media'sobsessionobsession withwith crimecrime andand violenceviolenceand and thethe factfact thatthat thethe numbernumber ofof kidskids underunder19 19who who arearearrested arrestedhashas increasedincreasedbyby 120 120 percentpercent sincesincel963?1963? IsIs therethere nono connectionconneetionbetweenbetween thethe sex-crazedsex-crazedpopularpopular cultureculture andand thethe factfact thatthat out-of-wedlockout-of-wedloclibirths havehaveincreasedincreased 350350 percent since 1960?1960?

Ironically,mediaIronically,media.moguls downplay the sig­sig_ nificance of their work, insistinginsisting'thatthat sex andaid violence on screen do not encourage sex and violence in reallife. But the sameinJustryindustry then turns aroundand askesadvertisers to pay tensof thousandsof dotlarsdollars for 30 secondsofaii-timeof air-time in the hopethat thisthis fleetingexposure would directly alterthethe public'spublic's buying behaviour.

TheThe warwar onon standardsstandards inin thethe popularpopular cultureculture wouldwould bebe thethe issueissue onon thethe 1990s.1990s. ExpandedExpanded censorshipscensorships isis notnot thethe wayway toto winwin it.However,it.However, atte-atte­ mptsmpts toto movemove inin thatthat directiondirection wouldwould onlyonly proveprove t-oto bebe counter-productive.counter-productive. BoycottsBoycotts ofof sponsors,sponsors, directdirect protests,protests,letter-writtingletter-writting campaignscampaigns andand 52 other forms of private-sector pressures areare far more effective than new government regulations.regulations'

While we are working to prevent the further pollution of our culture,we should do more than protestprot"rt the bad. We should also remember to beneficial promoteiro-ot. the good which is indubitably to us.

ARTICLE TWO: - By:BY: Bob Grene . ffiiti6sMillions of families sat down in their living rooms one evening last August to watch a live Madona concert fromfrbm France, telecasted on the cable network Home Box Office (HBO).(HBO)' Since Madona is such a huge internationalintemationalstar,star' and since the telecast was heavily promoted and aired in prime time on a weekend, millions of children certainly watched with their parents.parents'- - What happened on all those screens was that Ma­Ma- dona repeatedlyrepeitedly used the one obscene word that has been routinely barred from the public airways.airways' Later in the show she writhed on a bed and simu­simu- lated masturbation. She also laughingly used com­com- mon street termsterTns for male genitals.

We live in an anything-goes-age,anything-goes-age'so that shows witless, and purposely vulgar content was not 5353 surprising.surprising. TheThelanguage languageitselfitself was wasnothing nothingthat that hashasnotnot been beenheardheard inin moviesmoviesoror on oncable-TV cable-TVcom-com­ edyedyspecials.The specials.Thesurprisingsulprising thingthing waswas thatthatso sofew few parentsparentscalledcalled HBOHBO toto object.object.AA spokespersonspokespersonforfor thethenetwork network saidsaidthe the complaintscomplaints"were"were not not byby anyany stretchstretchof of thethe imaginationimaginationoverwhelming" overwhelming" andand thatthat thethe MadonaMadonaconcert concert waswas thethe highest-rated highest-rated originaloriginalentertainment entertainmentprogram inin thethe network's history. Apparently, America'sAmerica's parents havehave totallytotally given up hope thatthat theythey could control what theirtheir children are exposed toto on TV. What is most disturbing is thatrhat products appeared in America's homes during prime time on a Sunday, and people seemed to think it was no big deal. The television, in a way that now seems quaint, was once considered almost sacredground when it cameto certainmaterial -­ preciselybecause children were watching. But the country has been so beaten down by a lesseningof public standardsthatthat obscenities couldbe telecastedtelecasted toto millions of families without causingcausing eveneven aa rippleripple ofof protest.protest. WhatWhat ofof thethe argumentargument thatthat parentsparents shouldshould justjust tumtum offoff thethe TVTV ifif theythey don'tdon't like like rhethe programming? programming? It'sIt's validvalid butbut therethere waswas nono wamingwarning beforebefore MadonaMadona launchedlaunched intointo herher firstfirst rapidrapid firefire roundround ofof obscenities.obscenities. AlthoughAlthough thethe telecasttelecast waswas 5454 promotedpromoted asas beingbeing live,live, itit actuallyactually waswas tapedtaped hourshours before.before. TheThe networknetwork knewknew whatwhat itit waswas sendingsending out.out. YetYet itit diddid soso withoutwithout deletionsdeletions oror anan advisoiyadvisory noticenotice atat thethe beginningbeginning of of thethe show.show. ThisThis waswas "a"a creativecreative decision,"decision," HBOHBO says.says.

HBO, as a cable network, isis not boundby the samerestrictions placed on the over the air net-net­ works. But this nicety is undoubtedlylost on children who have grown up with cableTV in their homes. To them,HBO is just anotherstop on the dial.

Those children would hear worse in their life­life- times they probably already have. To telecast a concert like like Madona's isis no longerlonger considered particularly controversial.Butcontroversial.But toto wonder publicly aboutabout thethe wisdomwisdom ofof itit to to saysaythat that deliveringdelivering suchsuch aa performanceperformancetoto thethe nation'snation'schildren children isis wrongwrong thatthatis is consideredconsideredcontroversial.controversial. ToTo saysayit it isis wrongwrongis is toto seemseemoutout ofof stepstepwithwith thetherest restof of thethe world.world.But But itit isiswrong. wrong.ItIt isisdead deadwrong.wrong.

TheThecry cryis is loudloud- - butbutare aretherethere listeners?listeners? *******r< So,So.thethe menmenand andwomen womenofof funfunand andentertainmententertainment 5555 industryindustrydo do notnot enjoyenjoy realrealhappiness, happiness,nornor dodo theythey presentpresentvaluablevaluable things thingsto to thethesociety, society, butbut mostmost ofof whatwhatthey theyproduce produceareare destructive destructivematerials.materials. AsAs mentionedmentionedseveral severaltimes times duringduringthe thediscus­ discus- sion,ti9l, happinesshappinessisis anan innerinner motivemotive andand aa goalgoal whichwhich couldcould notnot bebe acquiredacquiredalonealone byby thethemere mere fulfilmentfulfilment ofof externalextemaloror materialmaterialneeds.needs. EnrichmentEnrichment andand nourishmentnourishmentof of ourour innerinner beingbeing make anan essentialessentialrequirementrequirement toto aa morally soundsound developmentdevelopmenfof ourselves. The foregoingforegoingstoriessfories and examples prove one thing in cornmon:common: that true happiness does not emanate from wealth, fame, academic degrees and titles, high rank or position in society. What are therefore, those factors that maycon­maycon- stitutesources of both physicaland spiritualwell-well­ beingfor man? Wheredoes happiness originate? And what are the qualitiesof thosewho aieare truly happy? Before answeringthesethese questions, let us first dis-dis­ cussin brief thethe barrierstoto realreal happiness.

*t<{<*** 5656 BARRIERSBARRIERS TOTO REALREAL HAPPINESSHAPPINESS l.DisbeliefI.DisbeliefIn In AllahAllah AndAnd LackOfLack Of TheThe TrueTrue Faith. Since thethe truetrue faith fills thethe heart with comfort, security, reassurance and contentment,and makesman feel that he has strong relationship with Almighty Allah, Who aloneis the Creator of man and everything visible and invisible and knows best what achieves man's well-being and happiness.- Therefore, one of the biggestbarriers to real happiness both in this world and the Hereafter is the rejection of Allah's true religion (Le.,(i.e.,Islam).

Those who lacklack correct belief and stray fromfrom DivineDivine GuidanceGuidance revealedrevealed toto mankind throughthroughthe the UniversalUniversal andandLast Last MessengerMessengerofof Al­Al- lah,lah, Muhammad,Muhammad,will will suffersuffer fromfrom spiritualspiritualvoid void andand deprivedeprive themselvesthemselvesfromfrom realreal salvationsalvationand and mercy:mercy: "Those"Thosewhom whomGod God(in (in HisHis Plan)Plan)willethwilleth to to guide,guide, HeHe openethopeneththeirtheir breastbreasttoto Islam;Islam;those thosewhomwhom HeHe willethwilleth toto leaveleavestraying, straying,-- HeHe makethmakeththeir theirbreast breast closecloseandand constricted, constricted,asas if if theytheyhad hadto to climbclimb upupto to thetheskies: skies:thus thus dothdoth AllahAllah laylay abominationabominationonon 5757 thosethosewhowho refuserefuse toto follow follow HisHis codecodeofof life,life. thatthatisis Islam Islam...."...." (Qur'an,(Qur'an, 6:125)6:125)

2.2.Sin Sinand andCrimeCrime ManMan hashas notnot realizedwellrealizedwellthe the seriousseriousconse­ conse- quencesquencesofof sinsin asastheir their effectseffectsgenerallygenerally havehave no no cure.cure.Sins Sins andand crimescrimesare are barriersbarrierstoto realreal happi­happi- ness.Therefore,ness.Therefore,aa criminalcriminal is is alwaysalwaysmore unhap­unhap- py thanthanhis victim, forfor aa criminalcriminal who isis not pu­pu- nished could be among thethe most miserable people.

3. EnvyEnv),and Jealousy Envy and jealousy are sources of dissatis fac­fac- tion and self-torture for people.Therefore, we are advised in the Holy Qur'an to seek refuge from the serious effects of suchkinds of malignant socialevils. In chapter113ll3 of the Holy euia'n,Qura'n, we are advised to seekrefuge in Allah "from thethe mischief of thethe envious one as he practises envy...."Bothenvy...."Both envy and jealousy,jealousy, when translatedtranslated intointo action,leadlead toto thethe destructionof happiness andand deprive deprive peoplepeople ofof thethe goodgood things things rhey they enjoy.enjoy. TheThe bestbest refuge refuge fromfrom evilevil isis trusttrust in in AllahAllah alonealong alongalong with with puritypurity ofof heart.heart.

4.4. Ill-willIll-will TrueTrue believersbelievers areare describeddescribed inIn thethe HolyHoly 5858 Qur'an,Qur'an, verse verse 1010 ofof chapterchapter 59, 59, asas sayingsaying whenwhen theythey praypray toto Allah:Allah: "..And"..And leaveleave not,not, inin ourour hearts,hearts, rancourrancour (or(or sensesense of injury)injury) againstthosethose whowho havehave believed...." believed...." Ill-will and rancourare are barriersbarriers to to thethe happinesshappiness of man. In fact, ill-willill-will isis contraryto to happiness;happiness; it belongs to a different domain on humanhuman feelings. It is like a virus thatthat kills thethe loftylofty sentiments and kind feelingsof man.

5. AngerAneer Anger connotes displeasure and hostility. Therefore,ThJrefore,it is one of the biggest threats that spoil man's happiness. Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him), stressed the importance ofof self-restraint self-restraintwhen he advised one of his com­com- panions:panions:"Do"Do not be overpowered by anger.anger...".."

6.6. InjusticeInjustice Injustice,Injustice,nono doubtdoubtwill will bringbring ruinruin toto every-bodyevery-body whowho practisespractisesit. it. This This isis provenproven byby manymany examplesexamplesthat thatserved servedasas warningswarnings andandlessons lessonsto to humanityhumanity toto shun shunthisthis dangerous dangerousvicevice and and main­main- taintain justicejustice andand equality.equality. InjusticeInjustice maymay signifysignify thethetrespassing trespassingandand going goingbeyond beyond limits;limits; itit may may alsoalsosignify signifythe themisplacement misplacementofof thingsthingsor or denialdenial ofoftruth. truth. 5959 InIn this.this. context, incorrect concepts on divinity, suchsuchas polytheism, idolatryidolatry and false falseworship, are one of the formsformsof injusticeinjusticsass5 i5 iI isis a distortion of true religionreligion and trespassing against divine commands. The followingfollowing verse from the Holy Qur'an illustratesillustrates this point:

"Behold, Luqman said to his son by way of in­in- 'O struction: '0 my son! Join not inin worship (others) with Allah: for false worship is indeed the highest wrong-doing'wrong-doing'...." ...." (Qur'an, 31:13)3 1:13)

Many a nation backed up, or refrained from resisting, unjust tyrants and wrong-doers and brought thereby upon themselves devastation and perdition.

The following quotation from the sayings of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be uponhim) testi-testi­ fies to this proven fact very often noticedin humanlife. Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari,AI-Ash'ari, a companion of ProphetMuhammad (Peace and blessingsbe upon him), related that the Prophetsaid (as narratedby ImamsBukhari and Muslim):

"Allah may give a wrong-doingtyrant respite, and thereafter when He punisheshim, He never 6060 letslets himhim escape."escape." Then,Then, hehe recitedrecited this this Qur'anicQur'anic Verse:Verse:

"Such isis thethe chdstisementchastisement of thy Lord when He chastisescommunities in thethe midst of their wrong: grievous,indeed, and severeis His chastisement." (Qur'an,11:102)

In anotherverse from the Holy Qur'an,it is stated:

"And how many populations did I give respite, which were given to wrong-doing? In the end I punished them. To Me is the destination (of all)." (Qur'an, 22:48)

7. Fear of Wordly Power Fear of other thanthanAllah isis thethecause of humility, insecurityinsecurityandand unhappiness. Whereas,Whereas, fearfear ofof Al­A1- lahlah produces inin man loftylofty idealsidealsandand drivesdriveshim toto develop develop soundsound conductconductandand excellent excellentmoralmoral behaviour.behaviour. ItIt freesfreeshim him fromfrom allall fettersfettersof of humanhuman bondagebondageandand safeguardssafeguardshishis dignitydignity andand free­free- domdom ofof will.will. AllahAllah sayssaysinin thetheHoly Holy Qur'an:Qur'an:

"It"It isis onlyonly thetheSatan Satanthatthat suggests suggeststoto youyouthe thefear fear ofof hishisvotaries: votaries:bebe you younot notafraid afraidofof them,them,butbut fear fear me,me,ifif youyouare aretruetrue believers."believers." CQur'an,(Qur'an,3:175) 3:175) 6161 8.8.Pessimism Pessimism PessimismPessimism isis synonymoussynonymous withwith miserymiseryand and trouble.Ittrouble.It leadsleads toto aa stage stage ofof inertiainertia andandde­ de- pression.pression.A A pessimisticpessimisticpersonperson wouldwould hold hold backback fromfrom enjoyingenjoying hishis normalnormal lifelife oror achievingachievinghishis objectives. Therefore, thethe Gracious Prophet (Peace(Peace and blessings be upon him) promoted and liked optimism but discouraged and disliked pessimism. A pessimist, due to his defeatist tendencies, incursincurs several troubles and difficul­difficul- ties the effects of which on his nerves are far heavier than dilemmas and disasters.

9. Suspicion Allah (Glory be to Him) statesstaresIIIin therhe Holy Qur'an:

"0"O ye who believe! Shun suspicion as much (as possible):for suspicion in some cases is a sinsin...."...." (Qur'an,49:12)(Qur'an,49:12)

Prophet Muhammad (Peaceand blessingsbe uponhim) alsosays:

"Shun suspicion,because suspicionSuspIcIOn is the big-big­ gestlie." (Narratedby ImamsBukhari and Mus-Mus­ lim)lim) 62 How can a suspiciouspersonperson bebe happy?Andhappy?And howhow can a societypervaded byby suspicion andand mistrustmistrust prosperor leadlead a collectivelifelife ofof happiness.happiness.

10.10 . Arrogance An arrogant person leads a lifelife of misery even though he treats other people rudelyrudely and boastfully without due regard to established normsnonns of moral conduct.He oppressesthem or turns his cheek in scorn toward them but he isis definitely haunted with guilty cons-ciencewhich makes his life miserable.

"Tum not thy cheek in scornscom toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. La!Lo! Allah loveth not each braggart boaster." (Qur'an, 31:31 : 18)l8)

ProphetProphetMuhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him)him) gavegavehis adviceadviceinin this regard when he said:

"On"On thetheDay Day ofof Judgment Allah will not look towardstowards himhim who who trails trails hishis lowerlower garment out ofof pride"pride " (a(a HadithHadith narratednarratedby ImamsImams Bukhari andandMuslim)Muslim)

11.11.DevotionDevotion toto other otherthanthan AllahAllah ItIt isisa apart partof of man'sman'scharactercharacter toto loveloveand and hate,hate,butbut 6363 carryingcarryingthethe passions passionsofof loveloveand andhatehate toto extremesextremes isIt precarious.precarious.Take Take forfor exampleexample thethe storystoryof of RomeoRomeo andandJuliet Julietin in EnglishEnglishLiterature Literatureoror Qayseays andandLayla Layla inin ArabicArabic Literature.Literature. Qays,Qays,whowho waswas knownknown inin thethestory storyasas Layla's Layla'smadmad lover, lover, hadhadsuf­ suf- feredferedtremendously tremendouslyfromfrom thisthis lovelove untiluntil hehe lostlost hishis sensessensesandand laterlater dieddied inin aa wretched piteous state.state. WhenWhen your heart isis wholly devoted toto your Creator (Allah),(Allah), your lovelove isis holy and you therebythereby enjoy an elevated emotion which fills your heart with peace and happiness. This kind of emotion is not in contradiction with lovelove_for parents, wife or children.children . In fact, they are harmonious and complementary. But, ex­ex- treme emotions, when not controlled by reason or logic, are in fact detrimentalto our life and hap-hap­ piness.

12.Alcohol. Drugsand Drug Addiction Many people imagine thatthat happinesscan be attainedattained throughthrough alcohol or drug addicrion.addiction. Therefore,theythey resortresort toto drugsescaping therebythereby fromfrom thethe troublestroubles andand worriesworries of of life.life. InIn fact,fact, theythey areare likelike oneone whowho escapesescapes fromfrom aa smallsmall firefire toto aa hell.hell. DrugsDrugs maymay throwthrow one,one, for for aa shortshort while, while, intointo aa 6164 dreamydreamy iilusiveillusive worldworld ofof hapainess;happiness; butbut inin factfact theythey leadlead bothboth toto disintegrationdisintegration andand destruction.destruction. WeWe nowadaysnowadays witnesswitness many many examplesexamples ofof suchsuch socialdisintegration and chaosdue to thethe 'world-world­ rvidewide surgeof drug addiction besides other .causescausesrelated toto corrdptioncorruption and thethe absenceof real religioussanctions and soundcreed.

LAND MARKS ON THE WAY TO HAPPY LIFE (TI1e(TheFactors & Pre-requisites of Happiness)

1. SoundSqundBelief To build a happy life, you have to first lay a solid foundation for it, otherwise,oiherwise,it will subside. 'TIlerefore,Thereforc.we should seek such a solid unshakea­ unshakea- ble foundationfoundation onon \vhichrvhich we couldcould buildbuiid ourour wholesomei.vholesontelife.life. ThereTheremust be alsoalsoa a schemeschemeby whichwhich thethe coursecourseofof ourour lifelife isis toto bebe guidedguidedandand controlled.controlled-.

ManMan possessesposses$esimpulses,impr:lses, drives,drives, feelings,feelings, desireseiesires andanC whimswhirnswhich which maymay influenceintluencehishis charactercharacterandand wayway ofof life.lii"e.He l{e isis endowedendowedwith with thethe abilityability toto think,think,reason reason andattd perceiveperceiveso so thatthathehe could couldbeire 6565 ableableto to controlcontrolhis his willwili andand emotions emotions andand direct direct himselfhimself intointo thethe coursecourse ofof actionactionhehe believesbelievestoto bebe suitable.suitable.However,However, man's man'smindmind andandemotions emotions maymay lapselapseandand lead leadhim him awayawayfrom from thethe rightright path.path. HeHe maymay straystray unknowinglyunknowingly fromfrom thethe wayway toto successsuccessandand happinesshappinessandand taketake thethe coursecoursetoto chaoschaosandand misery, therebytherebybringing sufferingsufferingand and destructiondestructionupon himself andandupon others. others.

Hence thethe necessity forfor man to achieve a profound understanding of the Divine Guidance which leads his way to the plain truth aboutaboilt his existence in this world, his relation to the universe and to other creatures, the purposepulposeof his creation, how he has come into existence, the Divine Will\Vill that controls him and directshis life, and the conectcorrect course and way that leads him to salvationand real happiness.

Islam is the last and only universalreligion and system or code of lifelife revealedrevealed toto mankind throughthrough the the lastlast Prophet(Peace(Peace and blessings bebe uponupon him) him) andand thethe onlyonly faithfaith withwith thethe DivineDivine RevelationRevelation stiilstill keptkept intactintact inin itsits orginalorginal form,form, unlikeunlike thethe earlierearlier revelationsrevelations whichwhich werewere alreadyalready lost,lost, adulterated,adulterated, interpoiated,interpolated, changedchanged andand 6666 corrupted. Thus,the the IslamicIslamic FaithFaith provesproves toto bebe thethe only correctfoundation foundation forfor man'sman's character and behaviourbehaviour and a modemode of lifelife necessarynecessary forfor building a sound and progressivesociety char-char­ acterized by justicejustice and peacewhich isis inin ha'rmonyharmony with Allah's will. If we think of the backwardnessof Muslim societies,we will find that the reasonfor such condition is mainly due to the deviationfrom this divine way of life. The calamities that caused the downfull of Muslim societies are by no means merely due to lack of scientific knowledgebut rather to their deviation from Islam. In fact, when Europe was going through the so-called Dark Ages, the Islamic Nation, covering half of the world, was enjoying the most splendid and glorious civilization the world had ever known.

SoSothe theIslamic Islamicbelief, when put intointopractice, leadsleads man to the rightright direc tiontion and channels all his energies and efforts into into a constructiveschemescheme of life.life. ToTo begin begin with,with, faithfaith isis complementarycomplementarytoto reason.reason.Therefore,Therefore, reasonreason isis notnotthe the antithesisantithesisofof faithfaith as as isis thethe casecase inin some some otherother humanhuman beliefsbeliefsandand religions. religions.IslamicIslamic faithfaith helps helpstoto devel­devel- opopthe thehuman humanmindmind andanddoes doesnotnot imposeimposeanyany kind kind ofof illogicalillogical conceptconceptoror undueunduerestrictionsrestrictions onon it.it. ItIt 6767 leadsleadsmanman in inthe theway wayof oftruth truthsince sincehehe is isguided guidedbyby wordswordsand and commandmentscommandmentsofof hishis Creator,Creator,WhoWho knowsknowswhatwhat is isbest bestforfor him. him. AA basicbasicIslamic Islamicprinciple principleof of faith faith isis relatedrelatedtoto harmonyharmony inin thisthis universe.universe.ManyMany scientists scientistsandand thinkersthinkers believebelieve thatthat therethere isis aa conflictconflict betweenbetweenmanman andand naturenatureand and thatthat manman isis strug­strus- glinggling toto overcomeovercome thethe powerspowersofof nature.nature.IslamIslari correctscorrects thisthis short-sightedshort-sightednotion. It It statesstatesthatthat everythingeverythinginin thisthis world has been createdcreated toto serveserve man, and man has been created toto serve Allah. Therefore, the relationship between man and the universe is one of harmony and friendliness. This fact imbues man with peace of mind, satisfaction and happiness. It also frees his mind from worries, fears and feeling of hostility. His life would become inspired with love, hope,optimism, contentmentand happinessthat would enable him toto face hardshipswith confidenceand riehtright discretion.

BeliefBelief inin AllahAllah andand inin HisHis perfecrperfect arrribures attributes wouldwould deeplydeeply influenceinfluence the the Muslim'sMuslim's charactercharacter andand hishis wholewhole outlookoutlook on on life.life. ItIt bringsbrings him him toto a.cquireacquire goodgood qualitiesqualities and and aimaim forfor humanhuman perfec- perfec­ tion.tion. ThisThis willwill undoubtedlyundoubtedly achieve,achieve, forfor bbthboth thethe individualindividualand andthe the society,society, a a lifelife ofof idealideal values values 68 and collectivehappiness.

Belief in the angelsof Allah makesman feel that he is not aionealone in this universeand that it abounds with righteous friendly creatures.This rvouldwould make life pleasantfor him and enable him to achieve success and happiness.

Belief in the Day of Judgment drives man to con­con- trol his behaviourand life according to the Divine Laws of justice and righteousness. Without belief in this Day on which everyone willwili receive his just deserts (when the wrong-doers are justly punished and the righteous are rewarded bountifully), man would lose the impetus to behave fairlyfairiy towards others and the oppressed would grow hopeless and miserable.

Belief in the Hereafter is an essential element that helps to controlhuman delinquencycieiinquency and establish ostablish collective happiness and virtues inin society.

Belief in Divine Destiny isis a major element of a stablestable and composed composecl personality. When you submitsubmityourself toto thethe Divine Decree and Will and feelf'eelpositively certain thatthat "What"What befalls you would not have missed you and what misses you 69 wouidwould not have befallen you", you vroulciwould certainly grow stronger in the face of calami­ calami- ties, face them with patienceand courageand not succumb to them or be para.lizedparalized with shocksirockor despair.

Lack of such element of faithfaitit creates a vacuumvacuurn in man's heart and life that cannot be filled up withwitir all thetire riches and pleasures of the world. It is this kind of emptiness that drives many, even the wealthyrveaithyand the pleasure-seekers of the worldworid to collapse or eveneve.ncommitcommic suicide.

2. Worship and DevotionDevotictlrtot-o AllahAllal'i

"Not for (idle) sportspart diddi

"I"1 haveirave only oniy created Jinns (i.e., genies) and men,men.that they may serveseiveMe!"lde!" (Qur'an, 51:56) Everything and everyone in the Universe are created bybv AhnightyAlmishty Allah,Ailah. and all submitsubmi.tto HisFIis 70 Will. Have a glance at the physical world. You will find everything controlled and directed in accordance with Divine Order and Laws. There areare laws that govern every area or domain of nature, such as the laws of gravity, motion, relativ­relativ- ity, etc. These prevailing laws testify to the fact that the universe is in total submission to its Crea­Crea- tor, Almighty Allah, Who has originated its laws. But man has been endowed with Free Will, a priv­priv- ilege not given to the lower forms of creation, so that his obedience to the laws of his Creator should be more sensible and not a kind of blind obedience like a robot following the commands of the computer operator.

Besides, he is also endowed with the faculty of thinking and reasoning so that he could be able to decide and shoulder responsibility.responsibility.Therefore,Therefore, man will be able to achieve full harmony in his life if the intellectual and spiritual side of his character comes to coincide with the physical side which is already ruled by natural or physical laws ordained and fulfilled bybv Allah Glory Glorv be to Him)!

Thus, he would abide by the Divine Law, listen to the commandments of his Lord and respond 717l willingly,willingly, andand worshipworship inin allall humility humility andand reverencereverencethethe only only truetruedeity, deity,Allah, Allah, WhoWho alonealoneisis worthyworthy ofof worship.worship.

ObedienceObedienceandand worshipworship ofof AllahAllah arearea a majormajor andand comprehensive sourcesource of contentment and happiness forfor man. On the personal level,level, itit gives man thethe feelingfeelingthatthat he isis closecloseto Allah andandsuchsuch nearness to his Lord, consequently, provides him with guidance, wisdom, strength, confidence, steadfastness, security, joy and satisfaction. Acts of worship have many positive aspects in human life. In prayer, man communicates with his Lord directly and establishes the most exalted relationship that infuses him with satisfaction and peace of mind. He feels that Allah is with him: He hears him, responds to him, accepts his prayersand gooddeeds and forgives his sins.

This would elevate his spirit to perfection.He would contemplatethe versesof the Glorious Qur'anthat are recitedand realizetheir implica-implica­ tionsas well as the generalaims of theprayer. He wouldbe movedto complywith theirinjunctions and commandments.He would feel the powerof Allah dominating him as well as the whole universe.UnIverse. 72 This would make him humble and causehim toto abstain from wronging or trespassingtrespassing against others. When he acquiressuch traits, he would becomethe epitomeof iove,love, rnercy,mercy, justicejustice and guidance. He would becomea man of good marulersmanners and refinement,in full contro!control of his desiresand whims. Further,he would be able to channelall his feelings,efforts and actions in rhethe properconstructive way. Prayerpurifies the soul of error and the gloomi-gloomi­ nessof sins as waterpurifies and reireshesrefreshes the body. It refines man's character and inculcates in him the excellent virtues of truthfulness, honesty, modesty and humility. It keeps man away fromfrorn falsehoodtalsehoodand from all forbidden{brbiddenactions and evil deeds. On the collectivecolieciive level,1e.,,e1,prayer achieves for the communitycornmunity a high degreeCegreeof perfectionperfeclionand leads leads itit throughthe way to collective happiness and suc­suc- cess, as it it has realized for the individual individuaia feelingfeeiing of happiness as wellweli as consistency, dignity and integrity.integrity. .Ilis This actact ofof worshipt,orship contains containsmanymany elementseletnentsofof successsuccessandand social socialwelfare.rvelfare. CongregationalCongregationai prayerprayer is,is,in in fact,f-act,aa schoolschool forfor socialsocial upliftment,upliftment, wherewhere manmancancan exerciseexercise orderorcier andandunity,unity, andand equalityequality isis 7373 fullyfully realizedrealizedwithwith nono tracesrracesofof discriminationdiscrimination whatsoever.whatsoever. ThoseThosewho who performperforrnprayer prayer inin thethe rightright wayway shallshallfind find theirtheir wayway toto salvation,salvation, successsuccessandand eternaleternal happiness.happiness. WhatWhatapplies appliestoto prayerprayeralsoalso appliesapplies toto otherotheractsacts ofof worshipworshipwhich,which, together,together, contributecontiibute toto thethebuildingbuilding ofof spiritual,spiritual,social, social, political, political,economiceconcmic welfareweifare and solidarity.solidarity. InIn fact,fact, thatthat isis thethe secretsecret behind thetirestandard standardof superioritysuperiority achieved by thetheMuslim N{usiimsocietysociety at the Zenith of its development, power, and prosperity. A final word on worship as a source of success and happiness is that worship in Islam includes every action a Muslim performs only for the sake of Allah (Glory be to Him) and in accordance with His commandments.This not only covers ritual acts like prayersperformed in the Mosque, fasting during the month of Ramadanor the performanceof Hujj;Hajj; it also includesall human activities,such as learnirr*e.learning, training, eating, sleep-sleep­ ing, working roto earna living fcrfor the sustenanceof the family and all otlierother constructiveactiviiiesactivities necessaryfor thethe improvementimprovement of humanliib.life. TtrisThis providesthethe MuslirnMuslim with a treasure of gooddeeds thatthat contributetoto thethe realizationrealization of an integral and righteousrighteous character and enhanceshishis chancesof 74t+ attaining an everlasting blissful lifelife inin thethe Hereafter.The following verse from thethe Holy Qur'an guidesman to the way of prosperity and success: "O"0 ye who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the meansof approachunto Him, and strive(with might and main) in His cause:that ye may prosper."prosper," (Qur'an, 5:35) "Whoever works righteousness,man or woman,and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new life, a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions," actions."(Qur'an,(Qur'an,16:97) 16:97)

Faith, if sincere,means right conduct. When these two confirm each other, Allah's grace transforms our life. Instead of being troubled and worried, we have peace and contentment; insteadinstead of being assailed at every turntum by falsealarms and the assaults of evil, we enjoy calm and attain purity,purity. The transformation isis visible inin thisthis lifelife itself, itself, but thethe"reward" "reward"inin termstermsof thethe Hereafter will be far beyond our deserts. TheThe ProphetProphet(Peace(Peace andand blessings blessingsbebe uponupon him)him) said:said: "Happiness,all"Happiness,allhappiness,happiness, isis longlong lifelife (full)(full) ofof obedienceobedience toto Allah."Allah." (Narrated(Narratedbyby Quda'iQuda'iandand 7575 DaylamiDaylami on the authority of IbnIbn Umar)Umar)

ItIt isis worth mentioning thatthat obedience must be based on soundsoundknowledge; forfor ignorance ignorance may distort thethe spirit spirit of godliness and deprive worship of its meaning, and render it fruitless and almost futile. There isis a common saying which runs as follows: "I do not feel that happiness consists in the amass­arnass- ment of a fortune; it is the righteous and godly who are happy!"happyl"

3. Closely akin to the above in spiritual and devotional aspect is the remembrance of Allah (Glory be to Him), Lord and Sustainer of the Universe. Associated with it are supplications, prayers, celebration of Allah's praises and recita­recita- tion of the Glorious Qur'an. Having seen the influence of faith and righteousness on man's character and life, we find it relevanthere to cite two Qur'anic verses which combine in the same context the elements of faith and riqhteousnessrighteousness with thatof remembranceof Allah:

"Those who believe,and whosehearts find satisfaction in the remembranceof Allah: for without doubt in the remembranceof Allah do 1676 heartsfind satisfaction.For thosethose who believe and work righteousness,isis (every)blessedness and a beautifulplace of (final) retureturn."(Qur'an,13:28-29)m. " (Qur'an,1 3 : 28 -29)

When man becomes conscious of the bounties andfavours bestowed by Allah upcnupon him and feels that his very existence,body, spirit, intellectsand facultiesare granted to him out of generosity,he wiliwill naturally be moved to celebrate his Creator's praisesand be grateful to Him. He acquires this satisfaction andanci blessednessand inward joy which is difficult to describe in words. This blessednessbiessednessand satisfaction is also felt on reciting or listening to the words of Allah (Glory be to Him). Receiving and reading a letter from a person you love and respect would fill your heart with comfort and happiness which could not compare to the levellevel of comfort, happiness and spiritual bliss that one would feel in the words and name of Allah (Glory be to Him). ShunningShunning the remembranceremembrance of Allah and His revealedrevealedmessage to humanity deprives man of thatthat transcendenttranscendentjoy and satisfaction.satisfaction.ItIt causes constrictionconstrictioninin thethe chest,chest, aa feelingfeelingof of spiritualspiritual voidvoid and anddepression, depression,aa desolatedesolateandand desperate desperatelifelife fullfull ofof worries,worries,andand ultimatelyultimatelywrathwrath and andeternal eternal punishmentpunishmentinin thethe Hereafter.Hereafter. 77n- "But"But whosoeverwhosoeverturnsturns awayaway fromfrom MyMy Message,Message, VerilyVerily forfor himhim isis aa lifelife narrowednarroweddown,down, and and\Ve We shallshallraiseraise himhim upup blindblind onon thetheDay Day ofof Judgment."Judgment." (Qur'an,(Qur'an,20:124)2A:L24)

4.4. GoodnessGoodnesstndand KindnessKindness toto Others:Others: ThisThis emanatesemanatesfromfrom thethe veryvery essenceessenceofof faith.faith. Prophet Muhammad (Peace(Peace and blessings be upon him) said: said: "All"All creatures are dependants de.pendantsof Allah, and the most favoured among themthenrby Allah isis the one who isis most helpful to His dependants." (Narrated(Nanatedby Tabarani, Abu Naeem and Bayhaqi)

Thus, active faith turns man into a mercy to himself and to others. There are many formsfonns and manifestationsof gcodnessgoodness tharthat are basedon the Muslim'sbeing a mercy to humanity.This is representedby his natural inclination and keennes-skeenness to save other peoplefrom error and lead them to salvation. However,this can only be achievedif he is a reaireal embodimentof his faith. The tendencytor,vardstowards kindness emanates from human reciprocalreciprocal relations;relations; for man's delight depends on thethe delight of others and vicevice versa,versa, and thisthis reciprocityreciprocity providesprovides happinesshappiness forfor bothboth thethe 78 individual and the societyas a whole. A Muslim's goodness is not only limited to brothersin faith; but, it also extendsto cover eve-eve­ ry being,human or otherwise.

Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessingsbe upon him) said:

"Every Muslim should do an act of charity." "Suppose"supposehe couldn't afford that? people said. "Let him work with his hands and give out charity," he answered. "Suppose"supposehe couldn't afford it? they said. "Let"Lrt him help the grieved and needy," he answered. "Suppose"supposehe couldn't affort it," they said. "Let him do good and avoid evil, it is an act of charity for him." (Narrated by Imam Bukhari)

But such charity must be based on sincerity and be ' freefree from any kind of hyprocrisy, bad intentionintention or ulterior motives:

"0"O ye who believe! Cancel not your charity by remindersreminders of your generosity or by injury."injury." (Qur'an,(Qur'an,2:264)2:264) 7979 5.5. RenunciationRenunciationofof TooToo Long-TermLong-TermHopesHopes andand GriefsGriefsofof thethePast: Past: ManyMany peoplepeoplespendspend most mostofof their theirtime timeworrying worrying aboutabouttheir their futurefuture lifelife andand keepkeep regrettingregrettingpastpast mishaps.mishaps.TheyThey livelive in in continuouscontinuous worryworf andand mIsery.misery. A goodgoodsolutionsolution toto thisthissource sourceofof worries isis toto livelive within thethe limitslimits of today.today.This does not mean toto neglect thethe future future and stop planning for for it,it, nor does it involve failure to draw lessonsfrom past experiences. It aims at ridding our life of obses­obses- sion with futile cares that lead us onlyonlv to stress and frustrations. According to one thinker: "We should not look forward to a goal that looks faint in the distance;in fact, we have to com-com­ plete the clear works that we have in hand." Anothersays: "Life is short,we must not make it shorterbvby care andtroubles." Living within thethe limitslimits of todaytoday is is consistentwith thethe sayingsof ProphetMuhammad (Peace and blessingsblessings bebe uponupon him):him): "He whowho isis safesafe (in(in hishis home),home), healthy healthy (in (in hishis body),body), withwith enoughenough provisionsprovisions forfor thethe day,day, isis likelike oneone who who possessespossesses everythingeverything inin thethe world."world." 8080 YouYou willwill possesspossess thethe basicbasic elementselements ofof happyhappy lifelife inin thisthis worldworld ifif youyou acquireacquire thethe requirementsrequirements ofof safesafe and and happyhappy livingliving suchsuch as: as:

1. PhysicalPhysical (residential,(residential, social,social, politicalpolitical and military) security; 2. Health security;and 3. Food security.

So why worry? If you let yourself be haunted with fbarsfears and worries about the future all the time, you will not be able to enjoy the present. Plan for the future, no problem, and draw lessons from the past, but never be too absorbed in worry­worry- ing about your future life or dwell too much on your past glories or shortcomings.

SomeSomepeople understimate thethe safetysafety andand peace theytheyenjoy. enjoy.TheyThey maymay eveneven scornscorn thesethese greatgryat favoursfavbursand andexaggerate exaggeratethethe effects effectsofof theirtheir misfor­misfor- tunes.tunes.ThisThis contemptcontemptis is aa denialdenial ofof realityreality andand aa majormajor factorfactor thatthat spoilsspoilsthe the lifelife ofof thethe individual.individual. HappinessHappinessisis relativerelativeand andis is notnot dependentdependentonon thethe degreedegr-eeofof wealth.wealth.A A wealthywealthyman manwho who isis depriveddeprived ofof contentmentcontentment leadsleadsa a lifelife ofof misery,misery, whilewhile aa manmanof of averageaverageoror lowlow meansmeanswill will leadlead hishislife life 8181 happilyhappilyif if heheis iscontented contentedandand hashas aa realistic realistic viewview inin life.life. WhatWhat helpshelps manman toto getget ridrid ofof fretsfrets andandworries worriesis isa acomplete completetrusttrust in in hishisBounti­ Bounti- ful,ful, AlmightyAlmighty Lord.Lord.

TheThe HolyHoly Qur'anQur'anpointed pointedout out thethe benefitsbenefitsofof faithfaith andandtrust trustin in AllahAllah (Glory(Glory bebeto to himhim ).). "And"And forfor himhim whowho fearsfearsAllah Allah (and(andobserves observes hishis-dutyduty toto Allah),Allah), HeHe (ever)(ever)preparesprepares aa wayway out,our, andandHe He provides forfor him fromfrom (sources)(sources)he never·never could expect. And whoever puts his trusttrustinin Allah, He will suffice him. For Allah will surely accom­accom_ plishplish.His purpose. Verily for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion." (Qur'anleur'an 65:02-3)6S:OZ-I)

It is this kind of trust that, at once,fills one with peace of mind and contentmentalong with the realizationthat everythingis within thJpowerthe power of Allah (the Creator) and drives one toto be more optimisticabout life,life, activeand hadrworkins hadrworking ., not idleidle oror sufferingsuffering from from inertia.inertia.

SpeakingSpeaking ofof short-termshort-term hopeshopes and and aspira-tions,aspira-tions, let'slet's citecite thethe followingfollowing invaluableinvaluable woidswords ofof thethe holyholy ProphetProphet (Peace(Peace andand blessings blessings bebe uponuponhim): him):

"When"Whenyou you passpassthethe dayday andand arrive arrive at at thethe evening, evening, 8282 dodo notnot expectexpectthat that youyou willwill passpassnight night andandhope hope toto reachreach moming,morning, andand whenwhen youyou arrivearrive inin thethe morningmorning dodo notnot looklook forwardforward toto thethe evening'evening. WhileWhile inin health,health, be be readyready forfor illness,illness, andand whilewhile alive,alive, prepare prepare forfor death.'death.' (( NarratedNarrated byby ImamImam Bukhari)Bukhari)

On the transienceof human life, thethe Prophet (Peaceand blessing be uponhim) said: "I am in this world like a rider who halts in the shadeof a tree for a short time, and after taking some rest resumes his joumeyjourney and leaves the tree behind." (Narrated bYby Tirmidhi)

You would appreciate the real meaning of the above words ifif you meditate on thethereality of lifelife andand conceiveconceive ofof itit as asa a filmfilm thatthatlasts lastsforfor somesome timetime presentingpresentingaa whole lifelife oror episodeepisodeof of life.life' The.Ilnesimilitudeiimilituds ofof humanhumanlife life isis asasfollows: follows: DaysDays gogoby by likelike aa filmfilm andand whenwhen youyou growgrow oldold andInd lookiook backbackon on youryour pastpastlife, life, youyou review review itit likelike watchingwatchinganan exciting excitingmoviemovie .. Yet,Yet , thisthisdoes does notnot implyimpll' thatthatman manshould shouldbebe distracteddistractedfromfrom leadingleading ananactive activelifelife oror entertainingentertaininglegitimatelegitimate aspirationsaspiratlonsofof lifelife forfor thethefuture. future.ItIt simplysimplymeans mea-ns thatthatyou youcan canalways alwayslivelive your yourlife lifeand andplanplan for for thethe futurefutuie withwith confidenceconfidenceand andpersistence, persistence,butbut let let 8383 everythingeverythingbe be inin your your handhandand anddo do notnot allowallow anythinganythinginin thetheworld world toto possesspossessyouryour heartheartandand dominatedominateyouyou likelikea a slave.slave.BeBe a amaster masterofof your­your- selfselfby by controllingcontrolling youryour desiresdesiresbutbut notnot thetheother other wayway round.round. ProphetProphetMuhammadMuhammad (Peace(Peace andand blessing blessingbebe uponupon him)him ) was qouted qoutedasas saying: saying: "May"May he perish who isis thethe slaveslaveofof dinardinarand and dirham* of black and striped sheets of cloth.cloth.**** (Reported(Reportedby ImamImamB Bukhariukhari )

An essential pre-reqUISitepre-requisiteof happiness is the understanding of the role of man in this world and his position and function as a servant of Allah on the one hand, and a trustee of Allah on earth on the other hand. Thus, man would be ruled and guidedby divinelight and would behavewith a senseof responsibility.So a Muslim strivesto makethe bestof his time to producefor himself and other peoplewhat is useful for tl'remthem ,and to to preparehimself for thethe future both in thisthis life

* * Dinar and Dirham: currencycurrency usedused during thethe tirnetime of thethe prophetProphet 'dollar (Peacc(Peace and and blessingblessing be be uponupon him),him), whichwhich rcscmblesresembles thc the 'dollar andand cenls"cenL," or or thc'pounflthe 'pound andand pence.pence. ** **BlackBlack andand antland stripc.rtstriped shccrssheets ofof cloth:cloth: prcciousprecious cloth,cloth, syrnbolizingsymbolizing Iuxuryluxury ciothesclothes andand cos{.umcs.costumes. 8484 andand inin thethe Hereafter.Hereafter. ListenListen toto thisthis goldengolden rule rule ofof happinesshappiness inin thethe wordswords ofof Allah'sAllah's MessengerMessenger (Peace(Peace andand blessingblessing bebe uponupon himhim ):): "Take advantageof five before five: your youth before your senility; your health before your sickness; your wealth before your poverty; your leisurebefore your occupation;and, your life beforeyour death." (Reportedby Imams Ahmad, Baihaqi and HakimHakim) )

Youth, which is the prime of man, should be used in fruitful and constructive competition strife; health, the golden opportunity in life, should used for the prevention of diseases; wealth, is also an opportunity which must be used for pro­pro- tectiontection from poverty; leisure,which isis a major problem of our contemporary world, must be treatedtreatedwith aa sensesenseofof responsibilityresponsibilityandand must be used onlyonly forfor activities activitieswhich are areconstructiveconstructive andandworthwhile; worthwhile; and,and,finally, finally, thethe wholewhole lifelife isis thethe greatestgreatestopportunityopportunity forfor manman toto makemake provisionprovision forfor thethefinal final journeyjourney intointo thethe futurefutureworld, world, inin thethe HereafterHereafterinin accordanceaccordancewithwith thetheDivine DivineWill. Will.

PreparationPreparation forfor the the DayDay ofof JudgmentJudgmentandand the the attainmentattainmentofof eternaleternalhappinesshappiness doesdoes notnot involveinvolve thethe neglectneglectofof thisthisworldly worldly life.life. ItIt requiresrequiresthethe full full 8585 exploitationexploitationandand improvement improvementofof ourour society societyas as wellwell asas thethebuilding buildingof of aa loftylofty civilizationcivilizarionbasedbased onon thetheDivine Divine GuidanceGuidance asas revealed revealedbyby Aliah Allah untounto HisHis Messenger,Messenger,MuhammadMuhammad (Peace(Peace andand blessingblessingbebe upon uponhim)him ) ..

6.6. AA majormajorsource sourceofof discontentdiscontentandand unhappiness unhappiness isis thethe feelingfeeling of inadequacyinadequacyand incapability, while opulent people enjoy thethepleasures and luxuryluxury of life.life. The most effective solution to such a source of uneasiness and suffering is is to forgetabout people with higher standardsrandard of living; for if you compare yourself with such people you will only incur misery. You would find solace when you dicover that you are endpwedendgwed with more blessings by Allah than many others.orhers.We have already been guided to this goldenrule given by ProphetMuhammad (Peace and blessings be upon himhim) ) in the following words:

"Look at thoseinferior to you, anddo not look at thosesuperior to you. Thereby,you would be able to appreciatebetter the benevolenceof Allah bestowedupon you." (Narratedby ImamsBukhari andMuslim) On anotheroccasion thethe MessengerMessenger of AllahAllah (Peace(Peace and blessingblessing bebe uponupon himhim) ) said: 8686 "When"When any of youyou happenshappens toto seeone on whomwhom AllahAllah hashas bestowedbestowed more more richesriches and a finerfiner phy-phy­ sique,hehe shouldlooklook at one whowho isis inferiorinferior to to himhim (in thisthis respect)."respect)." (Narrated by ImamBukhari)

A Muslim is generallysatisfied with his lot from Allah regarding such matters which fall outside andbeyond his meansand ability. This, however, doesnot indicateany defeatistattitude or fatalism in its passive denotation; rather,a Muslim exercises his free will actively and enjoys a dynamic personality.As part of his faith, a Muslim believes in the DayofDay of Judgment and in the Divine Justice which gives him relief in cases where he finds no way to the fulfilment of justice. After all, everything in this world is ephemeral and what matters isis not the worldly possessions one may hold but the right preparation for the Hereafter, in in which thethe faithful and guided believer enters intointo thethe Eternal Abode of Bliss, where there shallshall be no bitternessbittemessor misery. This factfact givesgives him him a a completecomplete consolationconsolation andand relievesrelieveshimhim ofof hishis suffering suffering.For.For he he isis consciousconscious ofof thethe factfact thatthat onon thatthat dayday justicejustice willwill prevailprevail andandeverybodyeverybody willwill bebeable abletoto receivereceivehishis due, due,andand nono one onewill will trespass trespassonon him, him, wrongwronghim him oror boastboast overoverhim.him. ThisThis awarenessawarenesshelpshelps aa lotlot toto protectprotect 87 man from much anxiety and uneasiness. In mattersof religion, piety and acquisitionof knowledge,we had betterlook at thosesuperior to us in good deeds,upright behaviourand in the pursuitof usefulknowledge.

7. Building of better understanding of things and getting rid of misconceptionsand supers-supers­ titions deliver man from ignorance,illusions and baseless worries that spoil his tranquility and happiness.On the contrary, ignorance of realities entices people to take wrong avenues and draw them into troubles,troubies,ridicules and undue sufferings. Take, for instance, the case of a child who develops fear of certain tame animals, or the case of some women who get scared of harmless creatures or even the case of some men who are haunted by fear of bad omens or by the belief that men are intrinsicallyintrinsicallyevil. Such notions would undoubtedly cause the individualindividual to behave erroneously and lead lead a very miserable lifelife which may have unwelcome effects on his character and environment. They may leadleadto to thethe development ofof suchsuchabnormalitiesabnormalities asas depression, depression,anxiety,anxiety, hal­hal- lucination,lucination,schizophrenia,schizophrenia, neurosis,neurosis, psychosis,psychosis, etc.etc.

8.8. OneOneimportantimportant step step onon thetheway way totohappiness happinessisis 8888 toto work towardstowards halTI10nyharmonywithin oneself and with thethe outward world: in thethe family,family, at school,school,in thethe office, in societysocietyand more generally, inin humanity. The achievement of suchsuch halTI10nyharmony requiresrequiresthethe building up of one's personality soso as to become stable, confident,consistent,flexible and adaptable. Character building could be achieved by adopting the Islamic educational system which helps man to acquire a balanced and sound per­per- sonality and co-exist and adapt himself easily to other people and things around him so that he could help to create a happy environment.

9.Access to happiness can also be obtained through several factors necessary for a suc­suc- cessful and happy life, namely: good health, time, affluence and sound (constructive) reasoning provided, however, that these are supplemented with inner wealth throughspiritual guidance with-with­ out which such elements would be only a source of evil and destruction. Without the inner wealth and contentment, all riches and treasuresof this world would not suffice to make a man happy.

Islam takes a positive view of life with virtue lying not in shunningthe bountiesof Allah burbut in enjoying them within the framework of 89 "righteous living" through which Islam seeks to promotehuman welfare:

"0"O ye who believe! Make not unlawful the good things which Allah hath made lawful for you,but commit no excess: for Allah loveth not those given to excess. "Eat of the things which Allah hath provided for you, lawful and good; but fear Allah, in Whom you believe." (Qur'an, 5:87-88)

Islam also lays a lot of stress and emphasis on the need for simultaneous enrichment of both material and spiritual values to be deeply infused into the individual's life.

10. Social solidarity is based on cooperation and the presence of altruism and civil spirit. Such elements were never deep-rooted and in full force anywhere in the world as they were in the early ideal Muslim society. That civilized and lofty society was a living reflection of the active faith of Muslim believers and of the commandments revealed by Allah and preached by His last Prophet to humanity, Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him); the result, of course, was collective prosperity and happiness. 90 Read with me: "Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another inin sin and rancour." (Qur'an,5:3)(Qur'an, 5:3) "A believer isis like like a brick for another believer, the one supporting the other." (Reported by Imams Bukhari and Muslim) "The similitude of believers in regardregarCto mutual love, affection, and fellow-feelingfeilow-feelingis that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever." (Reported(Repcrtedby Imams Bukhari and Muslim) "None of you is a perfect believer until he desires for his brother believerbeiiever that which he de­de- sires for himself." (Reported by Imams BukhariRukhari and Muslim) "A MuslimMusiim owes six obligations towards another Muslim,Muslirn, namely: 1. WhenWlien you meetnleet him, greet him by saying: Peace be on you; 2. vVhenWhenhe invitesinvite-syou, you should accept his invitation; invitation: 3. When he solicits your advice, advise hiinhim sincerely; 4. When he sneezes and praises Allah, respondwith supplication: May Allah havemercy on you; 91 5. When he falls falissick, you should visit him; and, 6. When he dies, join his funeral." (Reported by Imam Muslim)

"One who believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment must not cause hardship and inconven­ inconven- ience to his neighbor; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day mustrnusthonour his guest,guest. and he who believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment must speak well or keep quiet!" (Narrated by ImamsimamsBukhari and Muslim)

Omar bin AI-Khattab,Al-Khattatr, the second Caliph after the death of Prophet MuhammadMuharnmad(Peace and blessings be upon him), refused to eat fat and meat until all peoplepeopiehave had enought to eat.

A society with such standards of education and al­al- truistic spirit, with such solidarity and harmonious re-lations,relations,with such excellent manners and self­self- sacrifice, such a society is really a very happy one.

11. Stability of the human personalitypersr:nality is one of the essential elements of happiness both on the in­in- dividual and the collectivecoliectivelevels. How could we attain a stable, well-balanced personality? Let's 9292 referrefertoto thethewords of Allah inin thethe GloriousQur'an and trace somesome of thethe importantimportantconstituents of suchsuchcharacter: * * SeekingSeekingguidance fromfrom thethe Holy Qur'an:

"Verily this Qur'an doth guide to that which isis most right (or stable) stable)...."(Qura'n...."(Qura'n,, 17:9)ll:9)

* Forbearance and deliberation: Haste is a danger to the stability of human character. Man irt his haste may unwittingly mistake evil for good. Haste and impatience, due to failure to attain one's ambitions or desires, may move one to pray for evil instead of good or be contented with the immediate little gain and give up the greater future gain.garn.

* A child is born with an intactnature that grows in a stable upright manneruntil he/she reaches maturity.Deviation of the charactertakes place as a resultof externalextemalfactors. Therefore, the Qur'an provides remedialdoses for the achievement of character stability and virtuousness,and the treatmentof evilsof deviationand corruption before they becomeout of control. It has made clearthe straightpath of righteousnessand wamed warned 9393 against thethe ways of error. Moreover, it has also pointed out thatthatman is endowed with thethe facultyfaculty of distinguishing right from wrong. "By"By thethe soul,soul, and the proportion and order given toto it;"iU" "And itsits enlightenmentas to itsits wrong and its right;" "Truly he succeeds that purifies it,"it," "And he fails that corruptscomrpts it!it!"(Qur'an "(Qur'an 91:7-10)

The above passage draws the attention of man to the role of self-purification and stabilization in the achievementachievemen[of success and happiness. Man should learnleam and understand that his success, pros­pros- perity and salvation depend on himself, on his keeping his soul as pure as Allah has made it; on the other hand,his failure, decline and perdition depend on his soiling his soul by choosing evil.

* An outstanding feature of a well-balanced personalityis moderationin all fields of life in generaland in thefinancial field in particular.

"And renderto thekindred their due rights, as (also) to thosein want, and to the wayfarer:but squandernot (your wealth)in the mannerof a spendthrift."(Qur'an, 17:26)17 :26) 94 "Make not thy hand tied (like a niggard's) to thy neck, nor stretch it i:tlrth!-rrth to its utmost reach, so that thou become blameworthy and destitute." (Ibid, 17:29)

We are not to be so lavish as to make ourselves destitute and incur the just censure of wise men, nor is it becoming to keep back our resources from the just needs of those who have a right to our help.

* A stable character keeps man away from degra­degra- dation and crimes, such as lying, murder, suicide, adultery, drug addiction, fraud, rape, robbery, theft, usury and other sins which are in contradiction with a stable personality and Idepriveideprivethe society of its stability and peace.

12.12.TheT\e feeling of peace and security or freedom from fear and anxiety.anxietlz.

Happines springs from inside the human mind and heart. Therefore, peace of the mind and psycho­psycho- logicaliogicalsecurity playaplay a major role in the attainment of happiness. Many wealthy people could not find the way to happiness despite the luxury they 'lhat enjoy. That is due to their lackiack of the aforesaid 9595 factor.factor.At At thethesame sametime,time, many manypeople peoplewhowho lack lack thetheluxury luxury.ofof lifelife enjoyenjoysuch suchinner inner securitysecurityandand throughthroughthisthis theythey experienceexperienceaa greatgreat dealaeal ofof happiness.happiness.

PeacePeaceofof mindmind andandthe the feelingfeelingof of securitysecuritycouldcould bebe -achieved achieved byby gettinggettingrid rid ofof fearfearand andanxiety, inxiety, andandobservance observancebyby peoplepeopleofof theirtheirduties dutiestoto theirtheii AlmightyAlmighty Lord,Lord,moved movedsimultaneouslysimultaneously by fear fearof of Allah andand lovelove forfor Him.Him. ThisThis wouldwould makemike themthem keep away from all forms of agression and harm, thus causing peace and security to prevail in society. The feeling of security is boosted by the awareness that Allah continuously watches over every human act and behaviour.

"Allah everwatches over you."(eur'an,you."(Qur'an, 4:l)4:1)

Security may also be stablishedand stre-stre­ ngthened by mutual mercy and sympathyand caringcaring for for sectorssectors ofof societysociety badlybadly inin neeOneed ofof protectionprotection andand patronagepatronage suchsuch asas orphans.orphans. OrganizationOrganization of of familyfamily affairsaffairs helpshelps aisoalso toto removeremove the the causescauses ofof anxiety.anxiety. Read Read the the followingfollowing verseverse from from thethe holyholy Qur'anQur'an on on thethe wife-husbaniwife-husband relationship:relationship: "...and"...and amongamong HisHis (Allah's)(Allah's) signssigns isis this,this, that that HeHe 9696 createdcreatedforfor youyou matesmates fromfrom amongamong yourselves,- yourselves, thatthat yeye miymay dwelldwell inin tranquilitytranquility with with them,them, andand HeHe hashas put put lovelove andand mercymercy between between youryour (hearts):(hearts): verilyverily inin thatthat areare SignsSigns forfor thosethose who who reflect.''reflect." (Qur'an,30:21)(Qur'an, 30:21)

It isis thisthis mutual relationshiprelationship of iove,love, mercy and affection thatthat gives thethe senseof security toto thethe whole family, includingincluding children who enjoy thisthis senseunder the protectionof their parents'parents. This relationship'isrelationship ·is well-organized in Islamicsociety, including the prescription of rights and obligations _ for every member of the family so that stability may prevail in their lives.

On a largerlarger scope, IslamIslam laidlaid down thethefoun­ foun- dationsdations bfof security security andand peace inin society societyby and establishingestablishing comprehensivecomprehensive-andand fairfair rulesrules and regulationsregulationsfor for all all humanhuman affairs:affairs:moral,moral, social,social, political,po-litical,military,military, economic economicandand other otherfields fieldsof of humanhumanendeavour.endeavour.

13.13.RepentanceRepentance purifiespurifies thethe soul soulandand relievesrelievesthethe humanhumanmind mind ofof thethe burdenburdenofof sinsinand andguilt.guilt. TheThe aimaim ofof penitencepenitenceis is twofold: twofold: PeacePeaceofof mind mind andandcarefree carefreelifelife in inthis thisworld worldand and everlastingeverlastingbliss bliss ininthe theHerreafter. Herreafter.Repentance,Repentance' 97 in its Islamic import, does not involve, as in Christianity, any any kind of confession of sins to a priestpnestor to any man. Islam teaches that there are no mediators or intercessors in the relationship between Allah and His servants. In fact, anyoneunyon'.- could always turnturn_directly to Allah for help and forgiveness, for He is too Generous and KindKlnd to turn you down. The Holy Qur'aneur'an explains to us how Merciful is Allah to us: "Y!.n "When IVIyMy servants ask thee concerningconceming Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen toro the prayerfrayei of every supp.liantsuppliantwhen he calleth on Me: LetLef themtt em also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: that Y-.a llut they may walk in the right way." (Qur'an,(eur'an, 2:186) . --..,,"..., 0O ye Believers! TurnTum ye all together toward Allah, that ye may attain Bliss." (Qur'an,(eurbn, 24:31)24:31) pursuit 14. LearningLeaming and Pursuit of Knowledge open for manman,the gateway to success and happiness.haippiness. Have a look at human civilization throughout history and see how knowledge improved man'srian's life and introduced many innovations and facili­ facili_ ties for the service of man. But knowledgeknowledseand science are two-edged weapon: they couldcouli raise lofty towers but could also destroy. So 9898 knowledgeknowledgemust must bebe channelledchannelledintointo thethe rightright wayway thatthat leadileads toto thethe happinesshappiness and and welfarewelfare ofof man-man­ kind.kind. DespiteDespite ofof thethe tremendoustremendous advancementadvancement inin humanhuman knowledge,knowledge, particularly particularly inin sciencescience andand technology,technology, itit iJis sadsad thatthat theirtheir fullfull utilizationutilization isis generallygenerally gearedgeared towardstowards oppression, oppression, trespassingtrespassing 6non humanhuman resources,resources, violationviolation andand suppressionsuppression of basic human rights,rights, internationalinternational terrorismterrorism andblackmail,and thethe like.

Constructive knowledge in general, and the knowledge of Divine Guidanceand Law in particular,particulai, pave the way for human betterment and happiness.

Guided by such kind of knowledge, Muslims overover many centuries,centuries, were ableable toto build aa civilizationcivilization thatthat coveredcoveredeveryevery aspectaspectofof humanhuman advancementadvancement(both(both materialmaterialand and spiritual)spiritual)rarely rarely attainedattained byby anyany otherother civilizationcivilization inin history.history' Nowadays,Nowadays,theihe MuslimMuslimnation nationisis badly badlyin in needneedofof aa revivalrevivai inin order orderto to leadleadhumanit" humanif" againaga.intoto aa civilizationcivilization ofof justice,justice,peace,peace, prosperity prosperltyandano happinesshappinessbasedbased onon constructiveconstructiveknowledgeknowledge andand DivineDivinb Guidance.Guidance. OnOn thethepursuit pursuitof of knowledgeknowledge andandlearninglearning wewe read readinin the theHoly HolyQur'an: Qur'an: "" ...... butbut say,Jay,a O mymy Lord!Lord! advanceadvance meme inin 9999 knowledge!knowledge!"" (Qur'an,(Qur'an,20:114)2A lt14) Proptret Prophet MuhammadMuhammad(Peace(peace andand blessingblessing -pursuiibebe upon upon him)him ) stressedstressedthethe importanceimportanceofof thethepursuit ofof knowledgeknowledgeasas a away wayto toeternal eternalhappiness:happiness: "If . "If a personpersonfollowsfollows aa pathpain forfor acquiringacquiring knowledge, knowledge, AllahAllah willwill makemake easyeasytherhe passagepuriug.^tvtusilm) tot5 paradiseparadiseforfor him."him." (Narrated(Narrateclbyby ImamImam Muslim)

PursuitPursuitofof knowledgeknowledgeprovidesprovides manman with with aa feelingfeelins ofof-.enjoymentenjoyment andand pleasure. IfIf man enjoys enjoyshavinghavin! deliciousdeliciousmeals forfor ]rishis body, he wouldw.ouldalso enjoyenjo! more delicious meals (of(of knowledge) forfor his mindmlni and soul.

15. "Tell"Teli me who your friends and companions are,then I cantell you who you are."

To draw thethe abovesaying closertoto our subject matter,we may say: "Keep . "Keep a happy ntanman company,company, andand youyou willwill becomebecome happy."happy." ItIt seemsseems like like contagiouscontagious happinesshappiness -influencesthatthat infects infects thethe environmenfenvironment of of manman andand influences otherother ThisThis isis truetrue because because aa happyhappy man man isis anan optimisticoptimistic andand confidentconfident personperson whowho enjoysenjoys peacepeace ancl and assuranceassurance,, and andtries tries to to transmittransmithishis optimismoptimism andand cheerfulnesscheerfulness whereverwherever hehe goes,goes, therebythereby 100 spreading an impression of delight and happiness'happiness. Moreover, when you have righteousfriends you will acquire good qualities from themand become equally righteous righGous. Righteousness, you know , is anun EntryEnity Visa for the abode of happiness and Allah's bounty.

16. Strong will and self- confidence are decisive factors for the attainment of happiness'happiness. These factors could develop and direct the life of the individualindividualtoward success and hapiness'hapiness. They are also essential to overcome the hardshipsof life and withstand all odds that obstruct man'sway towards the achievement of his goals in life'life,.

17. To form a hapvyhappysocial life, you should be on good and intimate intimate-termsterms with your family, friends andInd colleagues. The building of ta happyhouse depends onott the right choice of of your spouse, maintenance*uint"nunceof intimateintimite and good relationship and familiarity with the bes t ways of bringing upup the children. Friends should be selected carefully as mentioned earlier. As for your colleagues, you should treat them with tolerance, affection and mutual respect.

"Whoever works any act of righteousness and has 101101 - faithfaith- hishis endeavourendeavourwill not be rejected and We shallshallrecordrecord itit inin his favour."favour."(Qur'an,(eur'an, 21 21:94).:94). CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

A timelytimely reminder to everyoneevery one appeared in a recentrecent issueissue of thethe Reader'sReader'i Digest -_ sorrowful­sorrowful words as those of a certain top membermembe.of the U.S. RepublicanRepublicanNational Committee.Commiitee. He is now dead, andand inin his prime, he was blessed with materialmateriai wealth, power and prestige but not with spiritual wealth. Unfortunately, our message is late for ior him but forfor thethe many stillsrill alivealiie who maymav be undergoing similar conditions, the words of the honourable gentleman of the U.S. would undoubt­undoubt_ edly edly .bebe an eye opener (warning) for those who are still in a quandary.quandary. Those lastlasi and sorrowful words reveal his true inner feelings, that despite his material success, i.e., power, wealth and prestige, there seems to be absolute EMPTI­EMPTI_ NESS in his whole being which could only be experienced through the knowknowlegelege of spiritual reality. In his quest for material things, he forgot tot: developdev.elophishis_spiritual spiritual nourishment.nourishm"nt. He foigotforgot that that . all worldly things are but ephemeralindand transitory in nature andancl whatmatters is our inner wealth which is more meaningful,abiding 102r02 and lasting.His last words are herebelow full of frustrationand uncertainty. uncertaintY.

"I" I know I acquired more than most. But you can acquire all you want and still feel empty.empty' WhltWhat powerpo*"t wouldn't I trade for a little more time with my family? What price wouldn't I pay for an evening with friends? It took a deadly illness to it is a truth put^ttr. me eye to eye with that truth, but the country can learnleam on my dimedime"".... I was never a religious man. All you have is your-timeyour time on this earth,eaft[, I used to say. Confronted with the prospect of my own end, I re-evaluated.re-evaluated'I did not evenbuen know what I believed. I welcome anyone who could tell me about his faithfaith.-'.!".... !" His lastwords were very revealing but it was completely a dismal failurefailure...... full ...... full of emptiness without a trace of hope of spiritual fulfilment'fulfilment. It - was tragic indeed,without a trace of hope - ullall his times were spent solely for material wealth and leaving not an iota of spiritual nourishment.nourishment' Try ISLAM - the only recourse of humanity for a "real" happiness.hapPiness. **********{<{<*r< WelcomeWelcometoto your ownownreligion! religion! TheTheProphet ProphetMuhammadMuhammad (peace(peacE be upon him)niq)giA:said: - "JEveryl;,pon s~~e "Every'lls[arn',clhilllldlenund isls lbornhorn mln a s&ate of 'ITsll.mm' ~ ~!hlell1l~ttxen,lhuishns lPsurell1l~spanents 1T1IMlllkemalkeru.mlumra a lfew"new,~ aaChmstlam Clhunis~i.ffill1l oron a Magil.mIm."Nrflagian." REMINDER: ALL THOSE WHO EMBRACE '' ISLAMACTUALLYACTUALLY" REVERTREVERT"" TO THEIR ORTGTNALORIGINAL RELTGTONRELIGION ( rSLAMISLAM ). ' -,",I oll ;: 11|:,= ! ;.j ti

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