Maruf Zaid Deen
Everybody in life wants to be happy. We all have hopes, dreams and aspirations and most of these are interlinked with the pursuit of happiness. We simply do the things we do in life because we ultimately want to be happy.
The following are tips that I strive to follow to create happiness in my life. I pray this benefits us all and that Allāh increases us in wisdom and barakāh. Ameen
1. Have Good Intentions
Start off your day with good intentions. Whatever you do, do it for the sake of Allāh alone, not for the people, not for others but for yourself and Allāh. Sincerity should be at the cornerstone of everything we do. Strive to have a clean, pure and sincere heart. Moreover, renew your intentions if you have to but remember that sincerity is key for any deed/action we may carry out.
“Verily, actions are judged by intentions” – inna ma’al a’malu binniyaat. (Bukhari & Muslim)
2. Have Patience and Gratitude
The importance of this cannot be emphasised enough. Life will throw so many obstacles and hurdles at us and if we do not possess patience we will not be able to overcome life’s challenges. Work to build on your patience and you will see that whatever trials and tests you have, you will overcome them with Allāh’s permission and subsequently become more stronger and resilient.
“And be patient, Allāh is with those who are patient.” (Qur’an 8:46)
Moreover, Allāh has given us so many blessings so learn to appreciate them and be thankful for everything you have. Actively and consciously practicing gratitude in Islām is the key to a life of peace, contentment and happiness. In addition, engage in dhikr and adhkār as frequently as you can and most importantly thank the people. Try to appreciate the little things that people do for you. We have so many blessings from clean water, food on our table, good health and a roof over our head.
“If you give thanks, I will give you more of My Blessings” (Qur’an 14:5-7)
and
“He who does not thank the people, does not thank Allāh.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)
3. Give Charity According To Your Ability
One of the most beloved deeds to Allāh is to give charity. Small or large, give as much as you can and of course this should be according to your ability. Giving charity is a highly rewarding deed and will in turn benefit you, most definitely help others and increase your sustenance. It is incredibly rewarding and not only will you find the rewards in this life, you will also find the reward in the hereafter Insha’Allāh. Giving can be in many forms such as offering your time, helping others and also in financial terms too.
“Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.” (Qur’an, 2:274)
4. Be There For Your Parents
Our parents are a great blessing for us and they are our gateway to Jannāh. They have sacrificed so much for us and we need to help, support and serve them. Their happiness is our happiness so be there for them and always be in their service. Doing small chores such as shopping, taking your parents out, offering a supportive shoulder or just helping out at home can mean a lot to them.
“O Lord, have mercy upon them as they had mercy upon me when I was small.” (Qur’an 17:24)
5. Read, Read and Read Some More
The first word revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) was iqra (read). This demonstrates the importance of reading. Reading is an amazing way of learning and also relaxing. It can help stimulate your mind, help you develop your vocabulary, improve your focus and concentration and most importantly you’ll gain immense knowledge. I’ve included a list of further reading titles at the end that have benefited me tremendously and empowered me a great deal so please do have a look. Remember knowledge is power!
6. Travel and Explore When You Can
The world is a really big place and there is always so much to see. If you can, try to visit places of history and scenic locations and you will discover the true beauty of God’s creation. Travelling will teach you so much; it will widen your horizons, expand your experiences and help you appreciate life more. Wherever you are, you will be able to find beautiful places around you so make sure you get outdoors, visit these places and appreciate this all.
“Travel through the land so that their hearts may learn wisdom.” (Qur’an 22:46)
7. Visit the Sick & Lonely
Visiting the sick is a very rewarding task. It is also a duty for us to visit the sick and in fact one of the rights of the Muslim. When you visit a sick person you will be able to provide them with emotional and personal support. Your company will also make them feel happy and it will help you to realise and also remind you just how fortunate you are with your good health. Befriending someone who may be in need of company or just lonely is also a really inspirational thing to do. The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
“He who visits his brother in Faith, will remain engaged in picking the fresh fruits from the garden of Jannah till he returns.” (Muslim)
8. Be Active and Get Involved
God has given us all numerous skills and a wide range of knowledge that we can use for the greater good of humanity. Whether it be through writing, speaking or even doing something beneficial. Everyone is unique and truly gifted and has something to contribute to the ummāh and we should all encourage each other to be the best we can be. Believe in yourself and channel your skills and knowledge for the betterment of society.
“The best of people are those that bring most benefit to the rest of mankind.” (Daraqutni, Hasan)
Be it sports, gym, Islamic Science classes or extra-curricular activities make sure you do whatever works for you. Endeavour to keep yourself involved in some form of regular activity in your week as it will help to keep you active, healthy and minimise your risk of any future health problems. Take care of your health and Insha’Allāh your body will take care of you.
9. Volunteer Your Services
Get involved and volunteer your services in an area of your interest. You can volunteer in your local community, youth work, homeless places, soup kitchens, your local mosque, da’wah stalls etc. There are so many places you can help and the list is endless. Any organisation will be happy to take on an extra pair of hands. Through volunteering you will gain key transferable skills which you can use in the future, acquire so much self-satisfaction and who knows it may open up new opportunities for you. #Volunteer and experience the reward.
10. Trust in Allāh & Prioritise Your Prayers
Centre your life around doing things for the sake of Allāh and in pleasing Him. Have faith in Allāh and trust in Him. Work hard, play your part and leave the rest to Allāh. Make sure you live your life but also think long term, do sadaqāh jariyāh projects and also think about leaving a positive and lasting legacy. Remember Allāh gave us Islām to bring peace to our lives so place your trust in Him. Allāh says:
“Call on Me and I will answer.” (Qur’an 40:60)
Also as we all know salāh is one of the most important pillars of our faith. This is the first matter we will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment. Try your very best to perform your five daily salāh on time and keep it consistent. You will find that through performing your prayers you will find peace, comfort and ease.
“Verily in the remembrance of Allāh do hearts find rest.” (Qur’an 13.28)
11. Spend Quality Time with Family and Friends
Family and friends play a very pivotal role in our lives and we’d be lost without them. Spend quality time together, communicate at all times and always be respectful, understanding and tolerant of each other. A good family is the foundation of society so do your utmost best to maintain good ties and relationships with your family, friends and relatives as this is imperative in Islam.
“Whoever believes in Allāh and the Last Day, let him maintain the bonds of kinship.” (Bukhari)
Our friends are the very people we share things with, they are who we talk to regularly, and we experience a large part of our life with them. This is essentially why the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“A person is on the religion of his companions. Therefore let every one of you carefully consider the company he keeps.” (Tirmidhi)
Therefore make sure your company are trustworthy, supportive, good-hearted and helpful. Just remember we are people of quality and substance and should always strive to have the best of the best Insha’Allāh.
12. Manage Your Time Effectively
Time is one of our most important commodities and once it is gone we won’t get it back.
We should therefore understand the importance of our time, organise our activities accordingly, prioritise our areas of importance and keep a balance in our lives. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to utilise his time carefully, he was productive with his time and he had the right balance between worship, family and in all his other affairs. We should work hard to manage our time well and try to be resourceful and efficient in everything we do as wastage is disliked in Islām.
“By time, indeed mankind is in loss, except for those who believe, do righteous deeds and advise each other to truth and patience.” (Qur’an 103: 1-3)
Alhamdulilāh this comes to the end of my article. I hope you’ve found this work beneficial Insha’Allāh. All good is from Allāh and all the mistakes are mine.
Please keep the ummāh, my family and myself in your prayers. May peace be with you all.
Your brother, Maruf 🙂
Further Reading
– The Productive Muslim, Where Faith Meets Productivity by Mohammed Faris
– Purification of the Heart By Hamza Yusuf
– The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
– Mind Management, The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters
– The Alchemy of Happiness by Imām Al Ghazzali
– Patience and Gratitude by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
– 10 Keys to Happier Living by Vanessa King
– Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
– Reclaim your Heart by Yasmin Mogahed
– The Power of Self-Confidence by Brian Tracy
– Finding your Element by Sir Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica
– Riyad-us-Sāliheen compiled by Imām An Nawāwi
– The Travels of Ibn Battutah by Tim Mackintosh-Smith
– Enjoy your Life by Dr Al Arifi
– Don’t Be Sad by Dr A’id Al-Qarni
