The Path To Happiness Part 3 . https://youtu.be/1xENuh4UOjU . Ebook https://chat.whatsapp.com/FOr7w0v1Yr31ZSxV1IziMV *The Path To Happiness* https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single3/en-the-path-to-happiness.pdf *THE WAY TO HAPPINESS* www.islamicbook.ws/english/english-051.pdf *Searching for Happiness an Invitation to Non Muslim* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Searching-For-Happines-An-Invitation-To-Non-Muslims-Sh.-Saalih-As-Sindee.pdf *Means to Attain a Happy Family* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Means-to-Attain-a-Happy-Family-Life-Sh.-Sulayman-Ruhaylee.pdf *10 Ways to be Blessed and Happy* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/10-Ways-to-be-Blessed-Happy-Sh.-Sulaym%C4%81n-Ar-Ruhayl%C4%AB.pdf *The Keys to Happines* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/The-Keys-to-Happiness-by-Ibn-Al-Qayyim-Exp.-by-Sh.-Muhammad-Aman-al-Jami.pdf *8 Steps to Happines* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/8-Steps-To-Happiness-Sh.-Nasir-as-Sadi.pdf *Useful Ways of Leading a Happy Life* https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single2/en_useful_way_of_leading_happy_life.pdf *The path to happiness* https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single2/en-the-path-to-happiness.pdf Trials and Tribulation https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Trials-Tribulations-Ibn-Qayyim-al-Jawziyyah-1.pdf *Trials of Life* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Trials-of-Life-Sh.-Saalih-al-Fawzan-1.pdf *The Never Ending Trials of Life* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/The-Never-Ending-Trials-Of-Life-Sh.-Saalih-Aal-Shaykh.pdf *Perfect Solution From The Qur’an for Some of the Worlds Greatest Problem* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Perfect-Solutions-from-the-Quraan-for-Some-of-the-Worlds-Greatest-Problems-1.pdf *Book of the End – Great Trials & Tribulations* https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single2/en_book_of_the_end_great_trials_tribulations.pdf *Searching for Happiness?* https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single2/en_Searching_for_happinees.pdf *The Key to Happiness* https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single/en_The_Key_to_Happiness.pdf *Dealing with Worries and Stress* https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single2/en_dealing_with_worries_and_stress.pdf *Supporting the Distressed Against the Tricks of Satan* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Supporting-the-Distressed-Against-the-Tricks-of-Satan-Ibn-al-Qayyim.pdf *The Disease And The Cure* https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-Disease-The-Cure-Imam-Ibn-Al-Qayyim-compressed.pdf ; *05. Knowing the reality of this life.*
*Islam has clarified to the Muslim that this life is nothing more than a passing pleasure. Allah says:(Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire – of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.)* (3:14)
*Allah has clarified the shortness of this life, He said:(Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children – like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.)* (57:20)
*Allah has clarified that this life is only a stepping stone to the Hereafter, which is the true, ultimate, and everlasting life. The Prophet (ﷺ) informed his companion, Umar b. al-Khattab, of this when Umar entered upon him, and found him lying on a mat made from straw which had left marks on the Prophet’s side. He said:‘O Prophet of Allah, if you wish we can bring you bedding more comfortable than this.’ He said:*
*”What do I need in this world? My example in this world is surely that of a person riding on a sunny day and then taking shade under a tree for a period of time, then leaving and continuing on his journey.” (Ahmed)*
*Allah, the Almighty, has clarified to us that this life is full of worries and misery. If you feel joyful during one day, you will feel sorrowful on other days. If you laugh one day, you will cry on another day. Being joyous continually is not possible. This is the nature of this life. It is inappropriate for any of us to rely upon this world and disregard the next. The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed his companion Abdullah b. Umar:“Be in this life like a stranger or a traveler.”* (Bukhari)
*The kings, who one would think would certainly enjoy this life, don’t enjoy it as some may perceive. Abdurrahman an-Nasir, one of the Umayyad Dynasty Caliphs of Spain, who ruled for over 50 years, wrote a note which was found near him when he died: ‘Indeed the day that was truly a joyous day for this Caliph was such and such day from such and such month of such and such year.’ Altogether there were fourteen days that he felt complete joy.*
A poet clarified the nature of this life saying: *This life does not last for anyone As you see, all things pass as quickly as they come, Whoever is joyous for a period of time would feel sorrowful during many others*
*Another said: Everyone you find complains about this life, Woe to them, do they expect to live forever?*
*When the Muslim knows this, it will increase his desire to attain more provisions for the Hereafter and to not blindly become attached to this life. If this blind attachment to the world materializes, one will feel sorrowful for every missed opportunity and ultimately will ruin his happiness. Allah says:(Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.) (3:185)*
*06. One should accompany good individuals and avoid the company of those who are evil.*
*No one can deny the influence a friend has over another. It has been said in the common parable: ‘The Companion will drag you with him.’ Your friend will either drag you to goodness or to evil. He may be instrumental in you being happy or miserable*
*The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:“The example of a good companion and an evil one is like that of a perfume salesman and a blacksmith. A perfume salesman will either give you some perfume, sell it to you or at the very least you will smell a pleasant scent; whereas, a blacksmith will burn your clothes and in the very least you will smell a very unpleasant odor from him.”* (Bukhari)
*A good companion will surely be a great help during times of hardship. They will help you when a disaster strikes and will remind you to be mindful of God when you forget. This is the opposite of a bad companion, for he will be the first to abandon you when you are in need and will work to increase your misery.*
*07. Islam commands us to forsake sinful acts.*
*Doing sinful acts will only bring misery to the individual and it will prevent him from experiencing true happiness. Ultimately, sinning will distance one from worshipping Allah, which is the very source of happiness. Allah says:“The example of a good companion and an evil one is like that of a perfume salesman and a blacksmith. A perfume salesman will either give you some perfume, sell it to you or at the very least you will smell a pleasant scent; whereas, a blacksmith will burn your clothes and in the very least you will smell a very unpleasant odor from him.” (Bukhari)*
*(No! Rather, a stain has covered their hearts as a result of that which they were earning.)* (83:14)
*The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“When a believer sins, it will be registered as a black dot on their heart. If he repents the black dot will be removed and his heart will be purified, but if he continues, the darkness will spread, and this is the stain that Allah speaks of in the Qur’an.”* (Ibn Majah)
*A Muslim should refrain from sinning, for the Prophet (ﷺ) has clarified the dangers of sinning. He said:“A man will be prevented from acquiring provisions on account of a sin that he does.”* (Ibn Hibban)
*This feeling of misery is the result of one not being comfortable with the crime that they have committed. The Prophet (ﷺ) was once asked about sin and he replied,“Consult your soul, consult your heart. Righteousness is what is satisfying to your soul and your heart. Sin is what wavers in your soul and causes hesitancy in your chest, even if the people give you a verdict (that it’s acceptable to do it), and again give you a verdict.”* (Sunan Ad-Darimi)
*08. One should be mindful of the previous nations and heed the punishments that befell them*
*One should understand that this life is not a permanent place of stay. No matter how advanced we become, this world will come to an end.*
*Allah says:(Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them which We had established upon the earth as We have not established you? And We sent [rain from] the sky upon them in showers and made rivers flow beneath them; then We destroyed them for their sins and brought forth after them a generation of others.)* (6:6)
*Allah says:(Have they not traveled through the earth and observed what was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed the earth and built it up more than they have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidences. And Allah would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves.) (30:9)*
*Allah says:(And [We destroyed the towns of] ‘Aad and Thamud, and it has become clear to you from their [ruined] dwellings. And Satan had made pleasing to them their deeds and averted them from the path, and they were endowed with perception.)* (29:38)
*Allah says:(And how many a city have We destroyed that was insolent in its [way of] living, and those are their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is We who were the inheritors.)* (28:58)
*When the Muslim realizes that this life is only a temporal stage, he would be happy and would submit to the will of Allah. Allah says:(And [O Muhammad] warn the people of a Day when the punishment will come to them and those who did wrong will say, “Our Lord, delay us for a short term; we will answer Your call and follow the messengers.” [But it will be said], “Had you not sworn, before, that for you there would be no cessation? And you lived among the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, and it had become clear to you how We dealt with them. And We presented for you [many] examples.”)* (14:44-5)
*09. One should always look at those who are less fortunate.*
*Indeed, man is blessed with a wealth of blessings, but most often he is oblivious to them. One will only realize them when he loses them. If one is in need, they should look at those who are less fortunate. If one is sick, but can move about, they should look at those who are bedridden. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:* *“Look at those who are less fortunate than you. Do not look at those who are more fortunate than you, for this will cause one to despise the grace and blessing of Allah upon him.”* (Agreed Upon)
*If one is to look at those less fortunate than him, he will become satisfied and will recognize the grace of Allah upon him. A person came to a scholar complaining to him about the difficulty of his situation. The scholar asked him, “Would you want to exchange your eyesight for 100,000 silver coins?” The man replied, “Certainly not!” The scholar asked, “How about your hand for 100,000 silver coins?” He said, “Most certainly not!” The scholar asked, “How about your foot for 100,000 silver coins?” He responded, “Most certainly not!’ The scholar then said, “I see in you graces and blessings worth hundreds of thousands of silver coins and yet you complain!*
*In relation to issues that pertain to the Hereafter, one is always recommended to look at those who are better than himself, so that he can work on himself and improve.*
*10. Satisfaction is achieved when one is pleased with what Allah has ordained.*
*When one distances himself from wanting what people have, and submits to the will of Allah, they will achieve pure satisfaction. The Qur’anic texts and the Prophetic Traditions have a great impact in fostering such satisfaction in the hearts of Muslims. This is so that they can live a peaceful life, far from envy and hatred, which would result when one is not satisfied. A person who is satisfied in the manner mentioned above will certainly live a happy life. Allah says: (And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.)* (20:131)
*The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“He who submits to Allah will be successful and his provisions will suffice him, and Allah will make him content with it.”* (Muslim)
*The love of this world is a natural trait that everyone possesses, as the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) informed us:“If a person had two valleys of wealth, he would wish for a third equal to it. Nothing suffices the human being except soil, and Allah will forgive those who seek forgiveness.”* (Bukhari)
*The Prophet (ﷺ) has instructed the Muslims to be content with what they have. This advice has a definite effect on the believers. He (ﷺ) said:“Whoever wakes up safely in his home and is healthy in his body and has provisions for his day, would have acquired all the worldly possessions he is in need of.”* (Tirmidthi)
*If one is to carefully consider this Prophetic Tradition, he will realize that this is, in fact, all that he needs in life. As for the next day, the knowledge of it is with Allah, one does not have a guarantee that he will live to witness it or not. The money that is in one’s account may not remain there as intended; a sudden event may come to pass and the savings could be lost.*
*Allah says:(Indeed, Allah [alone] has knowledge of the Hour and sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.)* (31:34)
*11. Submitting to the will of Allah and depending upon Him alone.*
*He is the One who takes care of all affairs. He gives to whomever He wills and withholds from whomever He wills. He makes powerful and noble whom He wills and makes weak and ignoble whom He wills.*
*Allah says:(Say, “O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.)* (3:26)
*When man knows that all the provisions have already been ordained and that this has been decreed from the time he was in the womb of his mother, he will not fret over lost opportunities. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:* *“Verily the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days in the form a drop, then he becomes a clot of blood, then a chewed morsel of flesh. Then there is sent to him the Angel who breathes the soul into him and who is commanded with four matters: to write down his sustenance, his life span, his actions, and whether he will be happy or unhappy (whether or not he will enter Paradise.”* (Bukhari)
*No one will leave this life unless he receives all the possessions ordained for him by God. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“No individual will depart from this world until he completes the term (of life) assigned for him by Allah and until he takes all his provisions that are assigned to him; therefore, ask Allah. When the response to your supplication is delayed, do not seek what you want from unlawful sources, for one will only get the blessings of Allah when they obey Him.”* (Tabarani)
*12. One should be pleased with what Allah has assigned for him, even if these things may be seemingly him*
*Allah says:(O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness, for if you dislike them – perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.)* (4:19)
*It may be that something you dislike may be good for you, and you would know not. Allah says:(Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.)* (2:216)
*13. One should know that Allah has favored some in terms of worldly, material possessions over others based on a divine wisdom.*
*Allah says:(And Allah has favored some of you over others in provision. But those who were favored would not hand over their provision to their servants so they would be equal to them therein. Then is it the favor of Allah they reject?)* (16:71)
*Allah also says:(Look how We have favored [in provision] some of you over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction.)* (17:21)
*14. One should not envy others and desire what they have, nor should they aspire to lead a purely material life.*
*Allah says:(Say, “Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers.”)* (34:39)
*Since wishful thinking of this nature is detrimental to satisfaction and contentment of the heart, Muslims have been instructed to avoid it. Allah says:(And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned and for women is a share of what they have earned and ask Allah of His bounty. Indeed, Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing.)* (4:32)
*Instead of this, a Muslim has been ordered by Allah to closely examine what they have done and to keep themselves ‘in check’. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“The wise is he who keeps himself in check and scrutinizes what he has done and works for what comes after death. A failure is one who follows his whims and thinks wishfully of his abode while not working towards it.”* (Tirmidthi)
*15. One should be careful to not become envious, hateful or hold grudges.*
*Arrogance resulting from envy was the first sin ever committed. Allah tells us what Iblis (Satan) did when God created Adam and ordered the Angels to bow down:([Iblis] said, “Do You see this one whom You have honored above me? If You delay my death until the Day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy his descendants, except for a few.”)* (17:62)
*The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) spoke to his community, warning them of this disease:“Do not envy one another, do not inflate prices for one another, do not hate one another, do not turn away from one another and do not undercut one another in trade; rather, be servants of Allah and brothers. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim, he does not oppress him, nor does he fail him, nor does he lie to him, nor does he hold him in contempt. Piety is right here [and he pointed to his chest three times]. It is evil enough for a man to hold his fellow Muslim in contempt. A Muslim is sacred for another Muslim; his blood, his property, and his honor.”* (Muslim)
*Allah instructs us to love for others what we love for ourselves. He says:(And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, “Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You Are Kind and Merciful.”)* (59:10)
*This feeling of good will and good fortune for one’s fellow brothers should come from a sincere heart. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Whoever supplicates for his brothers, an angel will say, “Ameen and may you receive equal to it.”* (Muslim)
*16. Avoiding arrogance and demeaning others.*
*An arrogant person would not be happy; for people would despise him. He hates people and people hate him. How much happiness would such an individual experience?*
*Allah says:(Those who dispute concerning the signs of Allah without an authority having come to them – great is the hatred [of them] in the sight of Allah and in the sight of those who have believed. Thus does Allah seal over every heart [belonging to] an arrogant tyrant.)* (40:35)
*The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“One who has an ant’s weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise. A man said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, one of us would like to wear good clothes and wear good sandals [is this arrogance?].’ The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: ‘Indeed Allah is beautiful and loves beauty; arrogance is to reject the truth [out of pride] and to belittle people.”* (Muslim)
*17. It is prohibited for one to be miserly.*
*Miserliness is a trait that is despised in Islam and certainly is a chief cause in making one miserable. The miserly will always be worried about his wealth and will be fearful of losing any of it. The extra ‘care’ he exercises will prevent him from enjoying his possessions and will also prevent him from giving out in the paths of goodness.*
*Allah says:(Those who dispute concerning the signs of Allah without an authority having come to them – great is the hatred [of them] in the sight of Allah and in the sight of those who have believed. Thus does Allah seal over every heart [belonging to] an arrogant tyrant.)* (40:35)
*Allah says:(And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted.)* (3:180)
*The miserly will also distance himself from people, for he would fear that people would be after his money and worldly possessions. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“A generous person is beloved by Allah and beloved by people and would be protected from the Hell-Fire. The miser is not beloved by Allah and is far from Paradise, and disliked by people and close to the Hell-Fire. An ignorant, generous person is more beloved to Allah than a faithful miser.”* (Tirmidhi)
*Islam encourages the Muslim to give in charity and not to be miserly. One who does not give out from his wealth will ultimately lose his wealth. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Every day two angels will supplicate saying: ‘O Allah give one who gives in charity for Your sake reward and bless his wealth, and make one who is a miser lose his wealth.”* (Bukhari)
*The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) clarified what dangers will afflict the community at large when miserliness becomes prevalent. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Beware of wrongdoing, for indeed it is a great darkness on the Day of Resurrection. Beware of miserliness, for it destroyed those who were before you. It led them to shedding each others blood and violating their families.”* (Muslim)
*These traits are definitely despised in Islam and they are considered traits that decrease one’s Iman (faith). The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Belief in God and miserliness cannot coexist in an individual’s heart.”* (Nasa’ee)
*18. One is ordered to be patient and not lose hope regardless of what may befall them.*
*Patience is a requirement in our daily lives; in general, nothing can be acquired except with patience. Allah says:(O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.) (3:200)*
*This life is a test from Allah. He tests us to see who of us is most righteous. Allah says:(And we will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.)* (2:155)
*Along with patience, one is instructed to forgive one who has wronged him. Allah says:(And whoever is patient and forgives – indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination.)* (42:43)
*Becoming more patient is a goal every Muslim strives to attain. Allah has mentioned to us His love for those who are patient. Allah says:(And Allah loves the patient.)* (3:146)
*Allah has promised those who are patient with a complete reward. Allah says:(Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without limit.)* (39:10)
*The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“There is no blessing greater than patience.”* (Bukhari & Muslim)
*We are taught that when one holds patiently, they will find ease from the hardships that may have befallen them and they will find happiness after having been saddened by the calamity that befell them. Allah says:(For indeed, with hardship [there will come] ease. Indeed, with hardship [there will come] ease.)* (94:5-6)
*The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Know that victory is the outcome of patience and that relief is the outcome of anguish and agony and know that with hardship there is ease.”* (Hakim)
*Patience is of three types:*
*First type: Patience when doing acts of worship. Allah says: (Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.)* (13:24)
*Second type: Patience in relation to avoiding sinful acts. Allah says: (And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring the adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.)* (18:28)
*Third type: Patience in relation to calamities Allah decrees upon man. Allah says:*
*(No disaster strikes except by the permission of God. And whoever believes in Allah – He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things.)* (64:11)
*Islam instructs the Muslim to be patient in relation to what is decreed by Allah. We are instructed to say what the Prophet (ﷺ) has said when a calamity strikes:*
*Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi rooji’uun, allaahumma ujurnii fii mushiibatii wa akhlif lii khoiron minha*
*“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. O Allah reward me in this calamity and give me better in return.’ When one says this, Allah will reward him and give him better in return.”* (Ahmed)
*19. One should not become angry or emotional.*
*Anger will lead one to doing things that will make him sorrowful.*
*Allah says:(And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive.)* (42:37)
*Whoever can control his anger will be able to undertake the hardships of this life; The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:“The powerful one is not one who can wrestle with another, but the powerful one is he who can control himself at the time of anger.”* (Agreed Upon)
*20. We are encouraged in Islam to forgive when one wrongs us.*
*This action will cause love to spread in the community.*
*Allah says:(Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good.)* (3:134)
*We as Muslims have been ordered with something greater than all of this. We are to be kind when people are unkind towards us. This will rid an individual from the disease of hatred and fill him with happiness and the feeling of true brotherhood. Allah says:(And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.)* (41:34)
*21. The Muslim is ordered in Islam to be hopeful and not lose hope.*
*Allah says:The Prophet (ﷺ) was an example for all Muslims. He would love good omens and hate pessimism.* (Bukhari)
*22. One is forbidden to harbor evil thoughts or to spy on his fellow Muslims.*
*Whoever thinks ill of people will live a worrisome life. He would be hated by people.* *The Prophet (ﷺ) was an example for all Muslims. He would love good omens and hate pessimism. (Bukhari)*
*Allah says:(O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is accepting of repentance and Merciful. O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.) (49:12-13)*
*The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Beware of harboring evil thoughts, for it is the most untruthful form of speech. Do not spy on each other and do not be hateful. Be brothers in the sight of Allah.”* (Baihaqi)
*Harboring Good Thoughts*
*A Muslim is required to think well of what his fellow brother does and not interpret his actions to hold ill-meanings.*
*1. One should forget about the past and think of the present and leave the future to Allah.*
*Allah says:(Lest a soul should say, “Oh [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allah and that I was among the mockers.” Or [lest] it say, “If only Allah had guided me, I would have been among the righteous.” Or [lest] it say when it sees the punishment, “If only I had another turn so I could be among the doers of good.”)* (39:56-58)
*A famous writer wrote:*
*“What has passed cannot be brought back, what you wish for is of the realm of the unseen. You have control over the things that happen in the hour that you are in. Thinking about the past will not bring it back, and thinking of the future will discourage you from doing what you have to do at present.’*
*2. We are encouraged to give charitably and spend in the path of Allah.*
*Indeed, happiness is in giving and not in receiving. After you do something beneficial, such as giving food to a poor person or giving clothing to a person in need of it, or helping someone out in a calamity, how do you feel?*
*Allah says:(And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allah, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.)* (24:22)
*We are also warned to refrain from reminding those who received the charity of our generosity, whether these hints take the form of words or actions, for this will ruin the reward and will also rid us of happiness. Allah says:(O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders [of it] or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.)* (2:264)
*If you do not have enough that you can give, then be kind in your speech and smile. It is indeed better than bragging for having given something out in the path of Allah. Allah says:(Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is free of need and Forbearing.)* (2:263)
*The Muslim should be a positive factor in society, always enforcing the commandments of Allah. Therefore, the Muslim should love goodness for others and hate evil for others. Allah says:(And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is those who will be the successful.)* (59:9)
*The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”* (Bukhari)
*3. One should guide people to goodness and warn them from evil, so that they can live happy lives.*
*Allah says:(And let there be arise from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.)* (3:104)
*The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“The religion is based on sincerity and giving advice.” We asked, “To whom?” He said, “To Allah and His Book, and His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.”* (Muslim)
*4. Helping the needy and giving out in charitable causes.*
*Allah says:(And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good – those will have the good consequence of [this] home.) (13:22)*
*5. One should intercede on behalf of others and use their influence to help others fulfill and complete things in goodness.*
*Allah, the Exalted, says:(Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a reward therefrom; and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a burden therefrom. And ever is Allah, over all things, a Keeper.)* (4:85)
*Whenever a person came to the Prophet (s) asking him for something, he would say: “Intercede for your brothers and you will receive reward. Allah will take care of your affairs.”* (Bukhari)
*6. One should offer goodness to all people and in all forms.*
*The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“The most beloved people to Allah are the most beneficial to others. The most beloved deed to Allah is to make another Muslim happy or to relieve him from a calamity or help him pay off a debt or to feed him when he is hungry. Helping someone is more beloved to me than secluding myself in worship in the mosque for a month. Whoever controls himself while they are angry, Allah will protect him. Whoever controls his anger, when he can inflict pain and harm upon someone else, Allah will fill his heart with happiness on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, evil manners will destroy good deeds just as vinegar will spoil honey.”* (Tabrani)
*When one strives to spread Islam, they will be in a state of happiness that cannot be described. When one saves another from the torment of Hell, it is indeed an amazing feeling. When one of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad was asked by Rustum, the Persian King, why he had come to his lands, he replied, “We came to free people from worshipping humans so that they can worship the creator of the humans. We came to relieve people from the restrictions and limitations of this worldly life so that they can understand that the Hereafter is the real life. We came to free them from the oppression of all faiths to the justice of Islam.”*
*7. Giving out in the path of Allah is not only in relation to Muslims. The Prophet (ﷺ), also gave to non-Muslims.*
*“Anas b. Malik said that the Messenger of Allah was never asked a thing but he gave it. A person who accepted Islam went back to his people and said to them, “O People! Accept Islam, for indeed Muhammad gives out like a man who does not fear poverty.”* (Ibn Khuzaimah)
