Happiness and contentment in life--Imam Thanvi R.A.

Happiness and contentment in life

“Happiness and contentment in life is not based on wealth, but on the joy of oneself and the soul (spiritual self). Spiritual happiness is based on the relationship with the Deen and Allah Ta’aala. Thus, a person who has Deen but little material possessions has a pleasant life. On the other hand, without Deen the Dunya (material possessions) also becomes unpleasant.

If a person possessing wealth is seen to be in happiness then it is either because of the portion of Deen that he has in him or the observer has been fooled by the external condition of that person. If his internal condition is investigated, nothing but distress and unhappiness will be found. It is also possible the observer is unaware of the reality of genuine happiness. He (the observer) has taken superficial comfort to be true happiness. 

The secret is that true happiness and contentment is different and the means of happiness is different. (Do not misunderstand the material means and possessions to be actual happiness).

If those material things which people consider to be the means of happiness are not so, then Wallaah! In reality they are Adhaab – punishment. Allah Ta’aala says in the Qur’aan:

 

وَلاَ تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَ أَوْلاَدُهُمْ إِنَّمَا يُرِيْدُ اللهُ أَنْ يُّعَذِّبَهُمْ بـِهَا فِى الدُّنْيَا وَ تَزْهَقَ أَنْفُسُهُمْ هُمْ كٰفِرُوْنَ

"And do not let their wealth nor their offspring impress you. Allah’s plan is to punish them with these things in this world, and that their souls shall depart while they are disbelievers". (Surah Taubah)

 

It is not necessary that a person in possession of the material means of comfort be in actual comfort. Also, it does not necessarily mean a person not in possession of these material things is not happy and contented.

It is the way of Allah to deprive a person from comfort who is neglectful towards the Deen. Neglect towards the Deen results in the destruction of worldly comfort too."

- Imam Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA)