الرِّضَا سَعَادَةُ القَلْبِ وَجَوْهَرُ الإِيـمَانِ : Contentment is the happiness of the heart and the essence of faith.

أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

الرِّضَا سَعَادَةُ القَلْبِ وَجَوْهَرُ الإِيـمَانِ

Contentment is the happiness of the heart and the essence of faith.

Praise be to Allah, who has made the essence of happiness lie in contentment with what He has decreed and ordained. We bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner. And we bear witness that our master and prophet Muhammad,peace be upon him, is the servant of Allah and His messenger, the seal of the messengers and prophets. He advised his companion, saying, "Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us." May the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and those who follow him in righteousness, to the abode of eternity. This is the translation of the recited verse from Surah TaHa:

أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فاعوذ باللہ من الشیطان الرجیم- بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيۡنَيۡكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعۡنَا بِهِۦۤ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا مِّنۡہُمۡ زَهۡرَةَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لِنَفۡتِنَہُمۡ فِيهِ‌ۚ وَرِزۡقُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ وَأَبۡقَىٰ

And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh), the splendour of the life of this world that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting.

Surah Taha – 131

O servants of ALLAH: obey ALLAH. I advise you and myself - O servants of ALLAH - to fear ALLAH Almighty and Majestic, for it is the path to ease۔ ALLAH says in Surah At Talaq.

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ يُسۡرً۬ا (٤) ذَٲلِكَ أَمۡرُ ٱللَّهِ أَنزَلَهُ ۥۤ إِلَيۡكُمۡ‌ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يُكَفِّرۡ عَنۡهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُعۡظِمۡ لَهُ ۥۤ أَجۡرًا

and whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him. (4) That is the Command of Allâh, which He has sent down to you, and whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will expiate from him his sins and will enlarge his reward. (5)

Surah At Talaq – 4-Part-5

Know, may ALLAH have mercy on us all, that happiness surrounded by contentment is the essence of the good life that ALLAH has promised to His believing servants saying in Surah An Nahl:

مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا مِّن ذَڪَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ۬ فَلَنُحۡيِيَنَّهُ ۥ حَيَوٰةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬‌ۖ وَلَنَجۡزِيَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡرَهُم بِأَحۡسَنِ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).

Surah An Nahl – 97

So how do we master the art of happiness according to the divine approach?

O believers: True happiness begins with being content with ALLAH’s decree and destiny; The believer finds good in everything that ALLAH Almighty decrees for him, and he does not become annoyed by it, nor does he hold back his worries about it. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “How amazing is the affair of the believer! Indeed, all of his affairs are good. This is not for anyone except the believer. If something good happens to him, he is grateful, and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he is patient, and that is good for him.” So the believer chose contentment because he knew that what ALLAH had given him was better than what He had withheld from him, and this led him to the beauty of gratitude, his heart at peace with faith in ALLAH, and happiness overwhelmed him with certainty of ALLAH's generosity, remembering what ALLAH Almighty said to His Prophet, peace be upon him, in Surah At Tawbah.

قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَآ إِلَّا مَا ڪَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوۡلَٮٰنَا‌ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَڪَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ

Say: "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allâh has ordained for us. He is our Maulâ (Lord, Helper and Protector)." And in Allâh let the believers put their trust.

Surah Al Tawba – 51

O servants of ALLAH: Some may think that happiness is merely joy followed by laughter and a cheerful countenance. However, true happiness is a tranquility of the heart that springs from faith, and a joy coupled with acknowledging ALLLAH's favor. ALLAH Almighty says in Surah Yunus:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡكُم مَّوۡعِظَةٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡ وَشِفَآءٌ۬ لِّمَا فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ وَهُدً۬ى وَرَحۡمَةٌ۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ (٥٧) قُلۡ بِفَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ وَبِرَحۡمَتِهِۦ فَبِذَٲلِكَ فَلۡيَفۡرَحُواْ هُوَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ

O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Qur'an, enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences,) Which is in your breasts, - a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things) for the believers. (57) Say: "In the Bounty of Allâh, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islâm and the Qur'ân); -therein let them rejoice." That is better than what (the wealth) they amass (58)

Surah Yunus – 57-58

The heart translates it into comfort during prayer with humility, tranquility of the heart during supplication, blessings in family and wealth through charity, and relief from worries and life's complexities without hardship in the soul, even amidst life's occasional difficulties, because it builds its happiness through righteous deeds. ALLAH says in Surah TaHa

وَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ۬ فَلَا يَخَافُ ظُلۡمً۬ا وَلَا هَضۡمً۬ا

And he who works deeds of righteousness, while he is a believer (in Islâmic Monotheism) then he will have no fear of injustice, nor of any curtailment (of his reward).

Surah TaHa – 112

O Muslims: Islam has guided us to acquire practical skills to attain happiness. Among these skills is for a person to give meaning to their life and make it have a noble purpose, striving to do good even in the last hour of their life. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "If the Hour were to be established while one of you has a sapling in his hand, let him who is able to do so before it is established..." Until he plants it, let him plant it, so he does not give up on his goals even in the most difficult circumstances. Among the skills on the path to happiness is for a Muslim to build good relationships with other believers, to visit a friend, to support someone in need, and to smile at his brother. Because he is with them as one body, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is like that of one body; if one part of it is afflicted, the whole body responds with fever and sleeplessness.” Also, managing and cultivating thoughts so that they do not succumb to obsessive thoughts is a path to achieving happiness. And always remind yourself of ALLAH’s blessings upon you. ALLAH Almighty says in Surah Adh Dhariyat:

وَذَكِّرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

And remind (by preaching the Qur'ân, O Muhammad SAW) for verily, the reminding profits the believers.

Surah Adh-Dhariyat – 55

So fear ALLAH, O servants of ALLAH, and remember that happiness is a decision you make yourselves, it is gained by being content with ALLAH's decree, and it is sustained by thanking Him, the Most High, for what He has given. He, the Majestic, says in Surah Ibrahim

وَإِذۡ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمۡ لَٮِٕن شَڪَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَٮِٕن ڪَفَرۡتُمۡ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ۬

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allâh), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe."

Surah Ibrahim – 7

أقولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُالرَّحِيمُ، وَادْعُوهُ يَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ البَرُّ الكَرِيمُ

I say what you hear, and I ask forgiveness from ALLAH Almighty for me and for you, so ask forgiveness from Him and He will forgive you, for He is the Forgiving and Merciful, and pray to Him and He will answer you, for He is The noble righteousness

الحَمْدُ للهِ الوَدُودِ المُنْعِمِ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ الأَكْرَمُ، صَلاةً وَسَلامًا دَائِمَيْنِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَتْبَاعِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الجَزَاءِ الأَعْظَمِ

Praise be to Allah, the Loving, the Beneficent. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the most honorable Messenger of Allah. May prayers and peace be upon him and upon his family and followers until the Day of Judgment.

Fear ALLAH, O servants of ALLAH, and know that there is a difference between true happiness and fleeting pleasure. True happiness is a lasting fruit, while fleeting pleasure is a passing breath. Happiness is not found in the toil of the soul in pursuit of worldly pleasures without nourishing the spirit through obedience to ALLAH. For it has been said, "True wealth is not in the abundance of possessions, but true wealth is contentment." (the soul). No matter what hardship or difficulty a person faces in this world, the path to happiness lies in seeking relief through patience and turning to the Lord of the earth and the heavens in prayer. By doing so, the believer will be in the company of ALLAH, as He, the Exalted, says in Surah Al Baqara:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salât (the prayer). Truly! Allâh is with As-Sâbirun (the patient.)

Surah Al Baqara – 153

Happiness is a path we take ourselves when we make good choices: patience in adversity, gratitude to ALLAH for His blessings, restraining ourselves from being discontent with what is destined, guarding our tongues from complaining about ALLAH 's decree, and controlling our limbs from doing what angers the Creator. ALLAH says in Surah Luqman

وَمَن يُسۡلِمۡ وَجۡهَهُ ۥۤ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحۡسِنٌ۬ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ‌ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡأُمُورِ (٢٢) وَمَن كَفَرَ فَلَا يَحۡزُنكَ كُفۡرُهُ ۥۤ‌ۚ إِلَيۡنَا مَرۡجِعُهُمۡ فَنُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوٓاْ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allâh, while he is a Muhsin (good¬doer i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allâh's sake without any show - off or to gain praise or fame and does them in accordance with the Sunnah of Allâh's Messenger Muhammad SAW), then he has grasped the most trustworthy hand¬hold [Lâ ilâha illallâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh)]. And to Allâh return all matters for decision. (22) And whosoever disbelieves, let not his disbelief grieve you (O Muhammad SAW),. To Us is their return, and We shall inform them what they have done. Verily, Allâh is the All¬Knower of what is in the breasts (of men). (23)

Surah Luqman – 22-23

So fear ALLAH, O servants of ALLAH, for piety is a wide gateway to happiness and one of its causes. ALLAH Almighty says Surah Al Araf:

وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَرَكَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ

And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth.

Surah Al Araf – 96-Part