In Pursuit of Happiness (Part 3)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

---

In the Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The One Who Bestows His Mercy

---

Indeed, Allah has made it clear that good will come to the people of Eemaan. They are the happy ones because have engrossed themselves in the worship of Allah and all that which pleases him. Allah says:

قل من حرم زينة الله التي أخرج لعباده والطيبات من الرزق قل هي للذين آمنوا في الحياة الدنيا خالصة يوم القيامة

Say, “Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?” Say, “They are for those who believe during the worldly life [but] exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection.” (Surat Al-A’raf Verse 32)

The adornments can be expanded to all sorts of good and not just limited to clothes and food. Rather, the one who created the heavens and the earth has the capacity to deliver gifts to his righteous slaves that will be the delight of their eyes and be a source of both, external and internal contentment. As a result, the believer increases in his efforts to please his lord because, now, he has developed a liking to worship. He has now entered into a different realm that transcends the boundaries of this world and enters into a new realm…he has now become a visionary for the Aakhirah. His aspirations of happiness are no longer the transient objects/titles of this world rather, he aims for something greater. His heart is enriched by aspiring to reach a greater feat and that is the delight that awaits the righteous slave in the hereafter. Is it any wonder why the great caliph ‘Umar Bin ‘Abdil ‘Azeez stated the following:

“Oh Fatima (his wife), Indeed, I possess an ambitious soul. I do not achieve a feat except, I desire something greater than it. I had desired to become the Ameer. Thus, when I had obtained this feat, I had a desire within me to become the Caliph. And now that I have achieved this, I desire something better than it and that is Jannah!”.

Be visionaries of the hereafter, my dear friends. Have ambitious souls and do not settle for just being average. An ambitious soul, however, must be combined with a key element within Islam. This is the concept of Tawakkul ‘ala- Allah (Reliance upon Allah). It is said that Tawakkul is the keys towards happiness.

For how many people were empty and had no ammunition to achieve their targets yet, managed to defy the odds? How many were futile in their attempts to achieve their goals yet, their luck had changed? Such individuals had turned to the one who is Al-Qadeer and Al-Qawi (The All-Powerful and Strong). They turned to the one who says about himself:

إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ شَيْئًا أَنْ يَقُولَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ

“His command is only when He intends a thing that He says to it, “Be,” and it becomes.” (Surah Ya-Sin Verse 82)

Thus, Allah facilitates care for his servants from every harm that may come his/her way. Allah says:

وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ

“And Upon Allah, place your trust, if you are indeed believers.” (Surat Al-Maa’idah Verse 23)

What fulfilment does one need after this? Sufficient is Allah as a disposer of affairs. Undoubtedly, Tawakkul brings about peace, comfort, fulfilment and a sense relinquishment of ones affairs as he puts his mind at ease knowing that Allah will cater to his needs.

وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا ٢ وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا

“And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” (Surat At-Talaq Verses 2-3)

Sufficient is Allah to protect you from every harm. If you fear you are being taunted by the shaytaan – put your mind at ease whilst, knowing your lord has said:

إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

“Indeed, there is for him (Shaytaan) no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord.” (Surat An-Nahl Verse 99)

If you fear being overpowered by an enemy, relax your mind whilst, contemplating upon your lords statement:

الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ ١٧٣ فَانْقَلَبُوا بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ وَاتَّبَعُوا رِضْوَانَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيمٍ 174 إِنَّمَا ذَلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ

“Those to whom hypocrites said, “Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.” But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, “Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.” So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty. That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.” (Surat Al-‘Imran Verses 173-175)

The secret and reality in having Tawakkul is to make the heart dependant upon Allah. Of a surety, merely taking the means to acquire ones ambition without the presence of the heart depending upon Allah will not suffice as Tawakkul. The richness the heart gains by relying Allah can be likened to the safety the child feels when in the comfort of his loving mother. If Allah is with you, who can harm you? If the love of Allah is present in your heart, then the worries and stress the world brings is blown away like the leaves in the Autumn fall. So be content ya, Abdallah and ya Amatallah – Know that happiness can only be sought through the assistance of Allah.

May Allah make you and I from the true happy ones in this Dunya and in the Aakhirah….Aameen