Page 13 - Faith: The Way to Happiness

I n t ro d u c t i o n

this, consumption, experiencing every beauty and pleasure, is the
greatest source of happiness in their lives. Such desires are like a bot-
tomless well—they never come to an end. Because of their desire s
people emerge who are never satisfied with anything they obtain,
who always want more and better and who believe that they will be
able to live happier lives if they acquire more things, and better
things. However, these efforts only gain them a temporary happi-
ness.
The Qur'an states:
On the Day when those who disbelieved are exposed to the
Fire: "You dissipated the good things you had in your
worldly life and enjoyed yourself in it. So today you are
being repaid with the punishment of humiliation for being
arrogant in the Earth without any right and for being devi -
ators." (Surat al-Ahqaf: 20)
In this verse Allah tells us that false happiness such as this
which has been gained in the life of this world with greed and in-
gratitude, will become endless misery in the Hereafter.
For some, happiness is being known and admired, someone
whose favor or company is sought by everyone. Such people want
to be admired and imitated in everything they do. They are happy
so long as they succeed in this, and manage to ingratiate themselves
with others and remain the center of attention.
For others, happiness is escape even for a short time from the
t roublesome and monotonous life they lead and its problems. In
o rder to be happy, they have to make a string of changes to their
lives. They have to be unusual, dress differently, lead a "fringe" exis-
tence and try everything that is different. Or they have to see and ex-
p l o re diff e rent places and get to know new people. People such as

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