Useful Means for Happy Life

Sheik Abdur-Rahman As-Sa’di (may Allah bless him) said that tranquility and inner peace of one’s heart is the goal which each person tries to achieve in his life. That is because tranquility of the heart is the essential prerequisite for peaceful and happy life. The following list includes the top means for happiness:

1. Faith and righteous deeds are the most important and easiest means for happiness. Allah the Exalted says,

“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” [Surah An-Nahl 16:97]

Thus, Allah the Almighty has promised that those who attain faith (in Him and His messengers) and do righteous deeds will be blessed with good and happy life in this world. Moreover, in the hereafter they will be given the best reward ever.

2. Treating people and Allah’s creatures with kindness and benevolence is also another important means for getting rid of worries and anxiety. Allah protects both believers and non-believers from worries and cares for what they show of kindness and good manners to people. However, a believer is much more rewarded for this kindness than a non-believer.

3. Occupying one’s self with righteous deeds and useful knowledge is the best way to remove worries resulting from tension and negative feelings.

4. Caring only for the present day while stopping thinking of the past misfortunes and the unknown future is a great remedy for one’s worries and cares. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,

“A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one, and both are good. Adhere to that which is beneficial for you. Keep asking Allah for help and do not refrain from it. If you are afflicted in any way, do not say, ‘If I had taken this or that step, it would have resulted into such and such,’ but say only, ‘Allah so determined and did as He willed.’ The word ‘if’ opens the gates of satanic thoughts.” [Muslim]

5. Much remembrance of Allah is also recommended as one of the best means to bring happiness and tranquility to one’s heart. Its effect in removing worries is amazing. Allah the Almighty says,

“Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” [Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:28]

6. Talking to people about Allah’s apparent and hidden bounties and blessings is one of the good reasons for feeling happy and assured. It also makes us give thanks to Allah, which is one of the best good deeds in the sight of Allah.

7. A good way to get rid of one’s worries is that when a person is afflicted with calamities or bad happenings, he should try to alleviate them by thinking of the worst that could have happened to him. Doing this, he will feel that his calamity is nothing but something which he/she can overcome and that a Muslim should praise Allah in all cases.

8. One of the most recommended remedies for heeling psychological as well as physical diseases is that person should strengthen his heart so that he does not fall a victim to illusions that result from depressing thoughts. When a person thinks of what might happen to his beloved people of bad happenings, he certainly will suffer from depression and disappointment. Consequently, he will be prone to disorders and diseases as it was the case of many people who happened to experience such negative thoughts.

9. On the contrary, when a person rely on God with all his heart and seek guidance through Him, he will recover from all his psychological and physical diseases. Allah the Exalted says,

“And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.” [Surah At-Talaq, 65:3]

i.e. Allah will be sufficient for him in all his worldly and religious affairs.

10. When a person is afflicted with any calamity or any trouble, he should think of how many blessings and bounties he has. Making such comparison between his hardships and the blessings he is endowed with, such person will realize that the hardships he has are nothing beside Allah’s gifts and blessings upon him.

11. It is very useful to realize that people’s bad treatment particularly their annoying utterances do not harm you in any way. Instead, such bad treatment will be recorded in their record of bad deeds. Therefore, it is better for you to train yourself to have control and show the best conduct regardless of what others may do against you.

12. You should know that your life is affected by your way of thinking; if you think in a way that is useful to your religious and your worldly affairs, then you will lead a happy life and vice versa.

13. One of the best means for removing cares and worries is not to look for any reward from any person except for Allah. Allah the Exalted says,

“We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.” [Surah Al-Insan, 76:9]

14. Always take heed to useful things in your life and try your best to accomplish them via self-encouragement and self-promotion. Never approach the harmful practices that make you suffer depressing feelings.

15. To be free from cares and worries, it is recommended to accomplish your tasks on a daily basis and never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Otherwise, your tomorrow will be much tiring and exhausting.

16. Always prioritize your tasks and values. It is recommended to give priority to things you are interested in over things you dislike and find boring.