Nowadays many scholars and philosophers are working hard to find the art of happiness. Many people combat their stress and depression and try to find happiness in their lives. They read different books to help them get out of that chronic depression. It isn't necessary that only a person in depression is trying to find happiness in his life. This search of happiness can also be a part of a normal person's life.
According to Islam, the art of happiness is quite easy and i would like all the readers to try it out.
Show Gratitude
The people who are unhappy is because they are not grateful what they have. They are ungrateful for what they have. On the other hand, the person who is always happy with what he has and is grateful to Allah for what he has, then Allah bestows upon him his blessings and blesses him even more.
“And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless, verily! My punishment is indeed severe.” (14:7)
This ayah clearly states that if one is grateful to Allah for what he has then he will be blessed even more.
Your soul is also important
In this modern world, people think that if they will have money then their stress will be comparatively lower. People associate their happiness with the material things of this world. Similarly, the progression in career, better social standing and so on are some factors which we consider as factors that could bring us happiness. The real happiness comes from the soul, if you are satisfied within then you will be happy with the outside world as well. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in one of His hadiths:
“True enrichment does not come through possessing a lot of wealth, but true enrichment is the enrichment of the soul.” (Bukhari)
Stop comparing
The concept of comparing will never make you happy. It will take you only to the depths of sadness. You have to stop comparing your wealth with others,health with others and many other things which need to be stopped comparing with other people. One of the major stress inducing factors at present is comparing one’s self with others, especially with the ones who are above us. When we compare ourselves with others who are better than us, we go into a complex and instead of appreciating what we have we start fretting over the things that others have, thus causing depression and keeping us away from happiness. Regarding this comparison, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in a hadith:
“Look at those below you (less fortunate than you), and don’t look at those above you, for this is better.” (Muslim)
Stop expecting from others
Another factor that hurts the most, brings stress into life and breaks the relations that bring happiness is the expecting from others. We as humans tend to expect from other people and when we set high expectations from them, and when those are not fulfilled we feel depressed and dishearten. As humans we ought to depend on each other, however, the best one are those who set their expectations with Allah who would compared the means for those expectations to be fulfilled. Prophet (PBUH) said in a hadith:
“O Allah, give me enough of what You have made lawful to suffice me from what You have made unlawful, and enrich me by Your bounty giving me independence from all other than You.” (Tirmidhi)
Try to be physically fit
There is no denying the fact that methods like Quran recitation can bring peace and solace to a person, however, the peace of soul and heart needs to be complemented with a peaceful body as well. If the body is not healthy then it will fall prey to all sorts of illnesses and health issues, which boost the stress and keep a person from enjoying happiness. Therefore, a Muslim must try to work on physical fitness and keep the body healthy so that it resists stress better and is able to enjoy happiness in general and occasions of happiness in particular. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in one of His hadiths:
“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.” (Muslim)
Listen & Recite Quran
Without any doubt, listening to Quran in heart touching recitation brings happiness and peace to both mind and soul. Also, reading the words of Allah reveals many secrets upon the recite. Therefore, if you are in quest for happiness, start listening and reading the Holy Quran. This will surely help you attain a level of satisfaction and happiness you desire. Further, You can also attend Quran tutoring classes at Quranreading.com where experienced teachers teach especially designed courses to help improve quran reading and understanding skills of the muslim students.