The Way To Happiness

As-Salamu Alaykum (peace be upon you),.

THE WAY TO HAPPINESS Ultimately, we all want to be happy. It seems easier for some than others, and there are those who it is a perpetual struggle. So what is happiness? And how do we achieve it? Sources of Happiness Different individuals and groups of people may have different ideas with regard to the best ways of achieving happiness. Some common beliefs are that the following are the means to happiness: 1. Wealth. 2. Rank and position. 3. Educational achievements (Academic and Honorary? Degrees). 4. Fame (i.e., in politics, arts, sports, science, etc.). Happiness in Wealth One of the biggest misconceptions is that money can buy happiness. I think there is a saying actually, money can't buy happiness but it can certainly rent it. So if it can't buy happiness, only rent it then there is no level of permanency in the happiness that is attained through wealth. How many unhappy rich people do we hear about? What about all the stories of the people who have won lotto and ended up like prisoners in their homes from the attention they received, the gold diggers after their money, chasing them to the point they have no life? There is a story of a man that won lotto and used his money to import all his favorite exotic foods from around the globe, ended up really fat and died of a heart attack. The Prophet (peace be upon him), as always states it best... he (peace be upon him) said: "May he be miserable, the worshipper of the Dinar and dirham, and the worshipper of the striped silk cloak. If he is given anything, he is satisfied; but if not, he is unsatisfied". [Al-Bukhari] Happiness in Rank & Position Could real happiness be attained through the acquirement of high rank or position in society? 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 responsibility. 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 shoulder responsibility and use his position or office for public welfare. Thus, he would love doing his job because ultimately he would be blessed with joy, happiness, contentment and satisfaction? But what happens when he reaches retirement age? Where will he source his happiness then? Hardly does a year pass by around the world without closing with the news of miserable falls, overthrows and/or assassinations of unwanted rulers, kings, emperors, premiers, presidents, etc. Educational Achievements Then, where is happiness? Is it in obtaining the highest level of education and in earning doctorate degrees? It is true that Islam not only encourages but also requires man to seek knowledge and live in the light of learning. Islam is a way of life based on knowledge and not on superstition. Prophets are the sources of divine knowledge, and the first divine revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) begins with the word "IQRA" meaning "READ". In that same revelation, Allah, tells mankind that He (Allah) taught man 'with the pen" and taught man "what he did not know". Much emphasis is placed in Islam on the need for excellent learning, that in the Quran, Allah teaches mankind the following supplications: "...and say 'O my Lord, advance me in knowledge'." [Noble Quran 22:114] In another verse of the holy Quran, Allah tells mankind: "those truly fear Allah among His servants who have knowledge." [Noble Quran 35:28] Yet, in another verse of the Holy Quran, Allah questions mankind: "are they equal, those who know and those who do not know?" [Noble Quran 39:9] So isn't Allah then telling us that we should be getting degrees? No, the knowledge here is knowledge of Islam, beneficial knowledge that will make us successful in this life and the Hereafter. There are many who have attained high degrees in university only to live an unhappy or lonely life. The knowledge that Allah is recommending is that of the Quran and Sunnah, not that of the university degree. Happiness in Fame How much happiness do the "famous" men and women in activities enjoy? Next time you are waiting at the checkout to pay for your shopping just look at the covers of the popular magazines and it is obvious that a life of fame is not a happy one. Divorce, drugs problems, over weight, etc these are all the headlines you will see. "And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter is the real life if they but knew". [Noble Quran 29:64] The messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Two hungry wolves sent in the midst of a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a man's greed for wealth and fame is to his Deen.'' [At-Tirmidhi] Barriers to Real Happiness 1. Disbelief In Allah And Lack Of The True Faith - One of the biggest barriers to real happiness both in this world and the Hereafter is the rejection of Allah's true religion (i.e., Islam). Those who lack correct belief and stray from Divine Guidance revealed to mankind through the Universal and Last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, will suffer from spiritual void and deprive themselves from real salvation and mercy. "Those whom God (in His Plan) wills to guide, He opens their breast to Islam; those whom He wills to leave straying, He makes their breast close and constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus does Allah lay abomination on those who refuse to follow His code of life, that is Islam..." [Noble Quran 6:125] 2. Envy and Jealousy - In chapter 113 of the Holy Quran, we are advised to seek refuge in Allah "from the mischief of the envious one as he practices envy... " Both envy and jealousy, when translated into action, lead to the destruction of happiness and deprive people of the good things they enjoy. The best refuge from evil is trust in Allah alone. 3. Ill-will - True believers are described in the Quran as saying when they pray to Allah: "And leave not, in our hearts, rancor (or sense of injury) against those who have believed..." [Noble Quran 10:59] 4. Anger - Anger connotes displeasure and hostility. Therefore, it is one of the biggest threats that spoil man's happiness. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) stressed the importance of self restraint when he advised one of his companions: "Do not be overpowered by anger..." 5. injustice - Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari companion of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), related that the Prophet said [as narrated by imams Bukhari and Muslim]: "Allah may give a wrongdoing tyrant respite, and thereafter when He punishes him, He never lets him escape." Then, he recited this Quranic Verse: "Such is the chastisement of thy Lord when He chastises communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe is His chastisement." [Noble Quran 11:102] In another verse from the Holy Quran, it is stated: "And how many populations did I give respite, which were given to wrongdoing, In the end I punished them. To Me is the destination (of all)." [Noble Quran 22:48] 6. Fear of Worldly Power - Fear of other than Allah. Allah says in the Quran: "It is only the Satan that suggests to you the fear of his votaries: be you not afraid of them, but fear me, if you are true believers. [Noble Quran 3:175] 7. Suspicion - Allah states: "O ye who believe! Shun suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin..." [Noble Quran 49:12] Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) also says: "Shun suspicion, because suspicion is the biggest lie." [Bukhari and Muslim] 8. Arrogance - An arrogant person leads a life of misery even though he treats other people rudely and boastfully without due regard to established norms of moral conduct. He oppresses them or turns his cheek in scorn toward them but he is definitely haunted with guilty conscience which makes his life miserable: "Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo! Allah loveth not each braggart boaster." [Noble Quran 31:I8] Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave his advice in this regard when he said: "On the Day of Judgment Allah will not look towards him who trails his lower garment out of pride" [Bukhari and Muslim] 9. Other such as - devotion to other than Allah, pessimism, sinful and criminal behavior, alcohol and Drug Addiction On the Way to Happy Life 1. Sound Belief - Belief in Allah and in His perfect attributes would deeply influence the Muslim's character and his whole outlook on life. It brings him to acquire good qualities and aim for human perfection. This will undoubtedly achieve, for both the individual and the society, a life of ideal values and collective happiness. 2. Worship and Devotion to Allah "Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between" [Noble Quran 21:16] So creation is not for idle sport or play, Allah has a serious purpose behind it. What is it? Allah has revealed to us His purpose: "I have only created Jinns (i.e., genies) and men, that they may serve Me!" [Noble Quran 51:56] Obedience and worship of Allah are a major and comprehensive source of contentment and happiness for man. On the personal level, it gives man the feeling that he is close to Allah and such nearness to his Lord, consequently, provides him with guidance, wisdom, strength, confidence, steadfastness, security, joy and satisfaction. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Happiness, all happiness, is long life (full) of obedience to Allah."[Quda'i and Daylami] 3. Goodness and Kindness to Others - This emanates from the very essence of faith. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "All creatures are dependants of Allah, and the most favored among them by Allah is the one who is most helpful to His dependants."[Tabarani, Abu Na'im and Bayhaqi] Thus, active faith turns man into a mercy to himself and to others. 4. Renunciation of Too Long Term Hopes and Grieves of the Past - hanging onto a past that cannot be returned and aspiring to a future that may not come only leads to discontentment. Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Whosoever begins the day feeling family security and good health; and possessing provision for his day is as though he possessed the whole world.'' [At-Tirmidhi]. Being content with what we have today, embarking on utilizing the day that we have and being grateful to Allah, all these are lead to happiness. 5. In times of discontentment - the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him ) in the following words: "Look at those inferior to you, and do not look at those superior to you. Thereby, you would be able to appreciate better the benevolence of Allah bestowed upon you." [Bukhari and Muslim] gives us the best advise for these times. 6. Building of better understanding - seeking knowledge of Islam and removing misconceptions and superstitions deliver man from ignorance, illusions and baseless worries that spoil his tranquility and happiness. 7. One important step on the way to happiness is - to work towards harmony within oneself and with the outward world: in the family, at school, in the office, in society and more generally, in humanity. The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised us that there is a time for this and a time for that and that we are a people of moderation. 8. Access to happiness can also be obtained - by making ever aspect of your life lawful. Eat what is lawful, make your home and work environment lawful. "Eat of the things which Allah hath provided for you, lawful and good; but fear Allah, in Whom you believe." [Noble Quran 5:88] 9. Stability of the human Personality - Be moderate in all that you do "And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).''[Noble Quran 25:67] 10. Repentance purifies - rectify your mistakes with repentance rather than dwell on them and feel badly "O ye Believers! Turn ye all together toward Allah, that ye may attain Bliss." [Noble Quran 24:31]. 11. Learning and Pursuit - Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessing be upon him) stressed the importance of the pursuit of knowledge as a way to eternal happiness. "If a person follows a path for acquiring knowledge Allah will make easy the passage to paradise for hint" [Muslim] Pursuit of knowledge provides man with a feeling of enjoyment and pleasure If man enjoys having delicious meals for his body, he would also enjoy more delicious meals (of knowledge) for his mind and soul. 12. To form a happy social life - Choosing spouse, friends and companions wisely. 13. Strong will - Ability to persist through the challenges and hurdles of life. Conclusion One of the best ways to have a good life is strong Iman and good deeds, Allah the Most High said: "Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and is true believer, verily to him will We give a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions."[Noble Quran 16:94] This is because true believers in Allah, who have sound belief that gives rise to righteous deeds, and mends the heart and corrects the human behavior, and makes good both this world and the Hereafter. These people know how to deal with situations of happiness and joy and situations of anxiety, sorrow and grief.

VALENTINE'S DAY - HISTORY AND ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

What is it and where did it come from?

Consider Valentine's Day, a day that after dying out a well deserved death in most of Europe (but surviving in Britain and United States) has suddenly started to emerge across a good swath of Muslim countries. Who was Valentine? Why is this day observed? Legends abound, as they do in all such cases, but this much is clear: Valentine's Day began as a pagan ritual started by Romans in the 4th century BCE to honor the god Lupercus. The main attraction of this ritual was a lottery held to distribute young women to young men for "entertainment and pleasure"--until the next year's lottery. Among other equally despicable practices associated with this day was the lashing of young women by two young men, clad only in a bit of goatskin and wielding goatskin thongs, who had been smeared with blood of sacrificial goats and dogs. A lash of the "sacred" thongs by these "holy men" was believed to make them better able to bear children.

As usual, Christianity tried, without success, to stop the evil celebration of Lupercalia. It first replaced the lottery of the names of women with a lottery of the names of the saints. The idea was that during the following year the young men would emulate the life of the saint whose name they had drawn. (The idea that you can preserve the appearance of a popular evil and yet somehow turn it to serve the purpose of virtue, has survived. Look at all those people who are still trying, helplessly, to use the formats of popular television entertainments to promote good. They might learn something from this bit of history. It failed miserably) Christianity ended up doing in Rome, and elsewhere, as the Romans did. The only success it had was in changing the name from Lupercalia to St. Valentine's Day. It was done in CE 496 by Pope Gelasius, in honour of some Saint Valentine. There are as many as 50 different Valentines in Christian legends. Two of them are more famous, although their lives and characters are also shrouded in mystery. According to one legend, and the one more in line with the true nature of this celebration, St. Valentine was a "lovers'" saint, who had himself fallen in love with his jailer's daughter.

Due to serious troubles that accompanied such lottery, French government banned the practice in 1776. In Italy, Austria, Hungry, and Germany also the ritual vanished over the years. Earlier, it had been banned in England during the 17th century when the Puritans were strong.

However in 1660 Charles II revived it. From there it also reached the New World, where enterprising Yankees spotted a good means of making money. Esther A. Howland, who produced one of the first commercial American Valentine's Day cards called--- what else--- valentines, in the 1840s, sold $5,000 worth--when $5,000 was a lot of money--the first year. The valentine industry has been booming ever since.

The history of Valentine's Day serves as a powerful lesson for Muslims. St. Valentine became a Saint trying to resist free sex. Even though there was an attempt to Christianize it, today St. Valentine's day is gone back to its roots. No one even knows that the Church even tried to ban the St. Valentine's Day. Rather, most people think of romance, cupid and his arrow, which are vestiges of pagan Rome.

Pagan origins of Valentine's Day

The first information about this day is found in pre-Christian Rome, when pagans would celebrate the "Feast of the Wolf" on February 15, also known as the Feast of Lupercalius in honour of Februata Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan, Roman god of nature.

On this day, young women would place their names in an urn, from which boys would randomly draw to discover their sexual companion for the day, the year, and sometimes the rest of their lives. These partners exchanged gifts as a sign of affection, and often married.

Christian Influence

When Christianity came onto the scene in Rome, it wanted to replace this feast with something more in line with its ethics and morality. A number of Christians decided to use February 14 for this purpose. This was when the Italian Bishop Valentine was executed by the Roman Emperor Claudius II for conducting secret marriages of military men in the year 270.

Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, so he outlawed marriage for young, single men, who made up his military. Valentine defied Claudius and performed marriages for young couples in secret. When his actions were revealed, Claudius put him to death. Another version of the story says that Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who helped Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

Valentine was arrested and sent to the prefect of Rome for this. He found that his attempts to make Valentine renounce his faith were useless, and so recommended he be beaten with clubs, and later beheaded. This took place on February 14, 270.

According to the Catholic encyclopaedia, there are at least three different Saint Valentines, all of whom are Christian martyrs of February 14. One of them is described as a priest from Rome (as mentioned above), another as bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and the third from Africa.

It was in the year 496 that Pope Gelasius officially changed the February 15 Lupercalia festival to the February 14 St. Valentine's Day to give Christian meaning to a pagan festival. The holiday become popular in the United States in the 1800's during the Civil War.

As well, Pope Gelasius ordered a slight change in the lottery for young women that would take place during the pagan festival. Instead of the names of young women, the box would have the names of saints. Men and women were allowed to draw from the box, and the purpose of this was to copy the ways of the saint they had selected for the rest of the year.

Valentine's Day Customs

A number of the customs connected to Valentine's Day originate in the belief in England and France during the middle Ages, that on February 14, birds began to pair.

Fourteenth and 15th centuries' French and English literatures make indirect references to the practice. Those who chose each other as husband and wife on Valentine's Day apparently called each other their Valentines.

In terms of the Valentine's greeting "Your Valentine" which today you find on a number of Valentine's Day cards, the above-mentioned Roman priest Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself.

While he was in prison awaiting execution, he apparently fell in love with a young girl who would visit him. Before he died, he allegedly wrote her a letter, signed 'From your Valentine,' In terms of the virtually naked, arrow-shooting cupid character, which shoots people with its arrows to make them fall in love, this character is a vestige of Roman pagan times. Cupid was described as the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. You usually find Cupid's picture on Valentine cards and other paraphernalia .

Islamic Perspective

We should avoid anything associated with pagan immoral practices - We do not need to honour or celebrate the death of a Christian "saint" - Islam does not encourage flirting or suggestions of romantic relationships before marriage - Love between families, friends and married people does not need to be celebrated on a day with such un-Islamic origins.

Question: In recent times, celebration of the Valentine Day has spread, particularly among female students. It is a Christian celebration, and it is (manifested) with fully red costumes, clothing and shoes, and exchange of red roses. What is the ruling on celebrating this holiday ?

Answer: Celebrating the Valentine Day is not permissible because:

Firstly, it is an innovated holiday that has no basis in the Sharee`ah.

Secondly, it calls to love and passion.

Thirdly, it calls to keeping one's heart busy with nonsense matters which contradict the guidance of the righteous predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them.

So it is not permissible that anything from the signs of that holiday takes place on that day, whether it relates to eating, drinking, clothing, giving gifts, or other than that. It is incumbent upon the Muslim to be proud of his/her religion and that he/she does not blindly follow every crier. May Allah the Exalted protect Muslims from every trial, apparent and hidden, and that He give them protection and guidance. Ameen.

Question

Some people celebrate Yawm al-Hubb (Valentine's Day) on February 14 [the second month of the Christian Gregorian calendar] every year by exchanging red roses as gifts. They also dress up in red clothing, and congratulate one another (on this occasion). Some sweet shops produce special sweets - red in colour - and draw hearts upon them. Some shops advertise their goods which are specially related to this day. What is the Islaamic view [concerning the following]: Celebrating this day? Buying from these shops on this day? Selling - by shop-owners who are not celebrating - the things which are used as gifts, to those who are celebrating?

Response

The clear evidence from the Qur’aan and Sunnah - and this is agreed upon by consensus (Ijmaa) of the early generations of the Muslim Ummah - indicates that there are only two 'Eids in Islam (days of celebration): 'Eid al-Fitr (after the fast of Ramadhaan) and 'Eid al-Adhaa (after the standing at 'Arafah for pilgrimage).

Every other 'Eid - whether it is to do with a person, group, incident or any other occasion - is an innovated 'Eid. It is not permissible for the Muslim people to participate in it, approve of it, make any show of happiness on its occasion, or assist in it in any way - since this will be transgressing the bounds of Allah:

"and whoever transgresses the bounds of Allaah, he has wronged his own self," [Soorah at-Talaaq, Aayah 1] 

If we add to this fabricated 'Eid the fact that it is one of the 'Eids of the disbelievers, it is sin upon sin. This is because it is Tashabbuh (imitation) of the disbelievers, and a type ofMuwaalaat (loyalty) to them. And Allah has prohibited the believers from imitation of them and having love or loyalty for them in His Mighty Book (Qur’aan). It is also confirmed from the Prophet Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam that he said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."

'Eid al-Hubb (the celebration of Valentine's Day) comes under the category of what has been mentioned here, since it is one of the pagan Christian holidays. Hence it is not permissible for any Muslim, who believes in Allah and the Last Day, to participate in it, approve of it, or congratulate (anyone on that occasion). On the contrary, it is obligatory to abandon it and stay far away from it - in response to Allah and His Messenger, and to distance oneself from the anger of Allah and His punishment.

Additionally, it is forbidden for a Muslim to assist or help in this Valentine's Day, or any other of the forbidden/illegal celebrations in any way whatsoever - whether by food or drink, selling or buying, production, gift-giving, correspondence, announcements, etc. All of these things are considered as co-operating in sin and transgression and disobedience of Allah and His Messenger. Allah, the Glorious and Most High, says:

"and co-operate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not co-operate in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah! Verily Allaah is severe in punishment," [Soorah al-Maa.idah, Aayah 2]

Likewise, it is obligatory for every Muslim to adhere strictly to the Qur'aan and Sunnah in every situation - especially in times of temptations and corruption. It is incumbent that he/she understands, be aware and be cautioned from falling into the deviations of those whom Allah is angry with and those who are astray and the immoral people who have no fear of punishment - nor hope of reward - from Allah, and who give no attention at all to Islam.

It is necessary for the Muslim to flee to Allah, the Most High, seeking His Hidaayah(Guidance) and Thabaat (Firmness) upon the Path. Verily, there is no Guide except Allah and no One who can grant firmness except Him.