Is Happiness Attainable in This World?
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahman Kharsa
Question
Is happiness attainable in this world?
Answer
In reality, happiness is an internal feeling experienced within the human self. It manifests as tranquility of the soul, peace of heart, and ease of mind and spirit, resulting from upright external and internal actions driven by the strength of faith.
Material Means of Happiness
For us Muslims, happiness is not confined to the material aspect alone, even though material causes are elements of happiness. This is because material possessions are a means, not an end in themselves. Therefore, the focus in achieving happiness is on the spiritual aspect as a consequence of righteous behavior.
Allah (Most High) says, “And He created the cattle for you as a source of warmth, food, and ˹many other˺ benefits. They are also pleasing to you when you bring them home and when you take them out to graze. And they carry your loads to ˹distant˺ lands which you could not otherwise reach without great hardship. Surely your Lord is Ever Gracious, Most Merciful.” [Quran, 16:5-7]
Allah also says, “Ask, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘Who has forbidden the adornments and lawful provisions Allah has brought forth for His servants?’ Say, ‘They are for the enjoyment of the believers in this worldly life, but they will be exclusively theirs on the Day of Judgment. This is how We make Our revelations clear for people of knowledge.’” [Quran, 7:32]
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “From the happiness of a man are: a righteous neighbor, a pleasant mount, and a spacious dwelling.” [Ahmad]
Two Kinds of Happiness in Islam
Happiness, in the Islamic perspective, is of two kinds:
1. Worldly Happiness: Allah (Most High) has legislated commands and behavioral norms that ensure a person’s worldly happiness in this primary life. However, He emphasizes that this life is merely a path to the Hereafter, and that the true life that humans should strive for is in the next abode. Allah says, “Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.” [Quran, 16:97]
And, “Rather, seek the ˹reward˺ of the Hereafter by means of what Allah has granted you, without forgetting your share of this world. And be good ˹to others˺ as Allah has been good to you. Do not seek to spread corruption in the land, for Allah certainly does not like the corruptors.” [Quran, 28:77]
2. Hereafter Happiness: This is the everlasting, eternal happiness, contingent upon a person’s righteousness in the worldly life. Allah says, “… those whose souls the angels take while they are virtuous, saying ˹to them˺, ‘Peace be upon you! Enter Paradise for what you used to do.’” [Quran, 16:32].
And, “ who do good will have the finest reward and ˹even˺ more. Neither gloom nor disgrace will cover their faces. It is they who will be the residents of Paradise. They will be there forever.” [Quran, 10:26]
Conclusion
What we have discussed clarifies that happiness in this world is not only possible but also a reality. Indeed, a believer must strive for it and ask Allah (Most High) for it, saying in their supplication: “I ask You for happiness in both abodes.” This pursuit is realized through faith, righteous actions, and embodying noble character that leads to benevolence towards creation, constant remembrance of Allah, and feeling His presence at all times. It also includes taking care of one’s physical, psychological, mental, and spiritual health.
If a servant fulfills what Allah (Most High) has required of them in this worldly life, regulating their self and time according to the Sacred Law, then they will live in happiness and joy, enjoying worldly pleasure before experiencing eternal bliss in the gardens of Paradise.
The people of knowledge have said, “We are in a delight that if the kings and their children knew of, they would fight us for it with swords.” We ask Allah for success in acting upon His commands, and increasing in His remembrance and gratitude so we may attain happiness in this world before the Hereafter. He is indeed the Guarantor of response.
Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Kharsa is a Syrian scholar, born in Damascus in 1971. He obtained his degree in the Arabic Language from the University of Damascus. He received his Islamic education from some of the most prominent scholars of Sham, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Taj al-Din al-Kittani, Shaykh Muhammad Karim Rajeh, Shaykh Bashir al-Bari, Shaykh Ibrahim al-Hindi, Shaykh Hisham al-Salahi, among others.
He memorized the Holy Quran and studied the ten Qira‘at (recitations) through the paths of the Shatibiyya and Durra under Shaykh Muhammad Haytham Minini and Shaykh Abu al-Hasan al-Kurdi.
Shaykh al-Kharsa has taught at Al-Azhar University in the Beqaa Valley, Lebanon. He established Quranic centers in several areas in Lebanon and manages a Quranic center in Istanbul, where he is involved in Quran memorization programs and delivers public and private lessons.
He teaches in the Ijaza system at Dar al-Fuqaha in Turkey. His work also includes scholarly research, particularly in verifying texts within the Hanafi school. Notably, he has done the tahqiq of renowned works such as “Tanwir al-Absar” and “Jami‘ al-Bihar” by Imam al-Tumurtashi. May Allah preserve him and continue to make his efforts fruitful.
