By: Samsul Nizar
Professor and Head of STAIN Bengkalis
Faith and happiness are fundamental human necessities, comparable to the requirement for respiration. Humans have a tendency to define contentment in terms of material possessions, prominent family status, personal popularity, a succession of titles (although some are acquired or “bought”), and power and breadth of authority, among other material standards, throughout their lives. Nevertheless, does this truly represent the epitome of happiness? Because, in terms of material possessions, contentment would be restricted to the affluent if these standards were the sole benchmark. Despite this, a considerable number of wealthy individuals endure suffering and never attain contentment. In truth, the poor frequently continue to experience happiness (materially) despite their poverty. Whether manifested deliberately or unintentionally, this attribute results in the forfeiture of genuine joy.
When contentment is contingent upon elements of power, notwithstanding the relinquishment of one’s autonomy. Stringent protocol rules govern every individual’s movement. If contentment is contingent on one’s position, then his preoccupation with his responsibilities has kept him apart from those closest to him. If contentment is determined by one’s position, then the experience of shame associated with a succession of titles devoid of effort and tawadhu’ would be eliminated. Comparable to “an upright weed devoid of fruit.” Humans will be unable to attain double pleasure if their attention is directed towards the world. Everything can only be accomplished in its entirety by neglecting the other components. Desiring the moon during the night while neglecting the sun, or the sun during the day while neglecting the moon.
Genuine contentment can be attained by individuals who possess a robust (‘abd) and universe-beneficial (khalifah fi al-ardh) faith. Believing in the pillars of faith and performing a series of devotion activities do not constitute the entirety of faith. Belief consists of consistently demonstrating benevolence and desiring Allah SWT through the observance of His commands. Accordingly, the happiest individual is a servant who possesses faith and performs good actions. Due to his conviction that Allah owns and determines the destinies and accomplishments of His servants. It is impossible to detest the Most Loving Substance, which is also the Most Just and Impossible to tyrannise, the Most Rich, and the Impossible to be poor.
Once upon a time, Jalaludin ar-Rumi predicted that servants “heartbroken” by worldly phenomena would opt for the “purity” path. He will cherish his entire destiny. Because he recognises that the One who bestows and entrusts his fate is the One who has an eternal affection for him. A message that is loaded with significance. By attaining a state of adoration for His decrees and grace, all forms of discord, duplicity, arrogance, tyranny, and similar behaviours will cease to exist. Despite this, there are still individuals who reject his assertions. Everything that transpired was solely due to their incapacity to comprehend His truth.
Devoted adherents consistently exhibit benevolence and contentment with all that Allah has established for Himself. His entire destiny shall function as a conduit (bridge) to His affection. In light of this rationale, Rasulullah SAW imparted a reminder to him via his words: “Allah will be pleased with whoever is content (with His provision)” (HR. Tirmidhi).
Happiness can only be attained by those who are faithful servants whose actions produce fruit. Numerous endeavours are made to attain contentment, which encompasses:
First, cultivate a trustworthy character through faith to preserve a secure existence, both horizontally and vertically. Those who possess faith and wholeheartedly exemplify trust instil integrity in others, execute their responsibilities with excellence, and consistently bestow kindness upon the entirety of nature. However, in the absence of genuine faith, it will result in betrayal and potentially cause widespread devastation. In light of this, the Prophet conveyed the following message to humanity: “Those who lack the quality of trust are not worthy of faith, and those who fail to keep their word do not practise religion” (HR. Muslim).
Therefore, the aforementioned hadith serves as a distinct and unequivocal guide for individuals. While there is evident and resolute opposition to the Prophet’s teachings on the part of a small number of individuals in actuality.
Second, refrain from having desires that surpass boundaries. Make the necessary adjustments to your limits. Do not attain your goals through disobedience to His precepts. Assess your capabilities and envelop them in faith-based self-esteem. Regarding self-esteem as a scale, humiliation will increase if an accomplishment is attained without merit. Self-esteem is elevated by a steadfast commitment to faith. Self-esteem is analogous to a lengthy bean plant’s pole. Despite the long bean’s intense desire, he remains cognizant of the constraints (measurements) of the milestones that stand in his way.
The proverb serves as a reminder to conduct self-evaluations. When lofty ambitions surpass one’s capabilities, it is as if “the peg is larger than the pole.” The Prophet Muhammad served as a reminder of this abhorrent disposition through his words: “He who exercises authority over matters pertaining to the Muslims and delegates a responsibility to an individual, despite knowing that there is a more qualified candidate, has betrayed Allah, His Messenger, and the Muslims” (HR. al-Hakim).
Third, prevent negative thoughts, envy, and jealously. Because of this, Hqidup must establish a competitive environment in which accomplishments can be assessed. Humans of advanced civilization utilise competition as an opportunity to assess their performance and improve. However, in the eyes of barbarian humans, competition is an adversary that demands hostility, eradication, and destruction. Allah reminds humanity of the decision between the ideal pole (standard) representing a civilization-bearing nation and the precise pole representing a barbaric nation through His words: “Moreover, each people has a Qibla that they direct their attention towards. Therefore, vie for virtue. It is certain that Allah will assemble you all, regardless of your location. “Indeed, Allah possesses authority over everything” (QS al-Baqarah:148).
Fourth, be thankful for what Allah has bestowed upon you as a demonstration of genuine faith in His will. Accept everything that God presents as a demonstration of trust that demands appropriate execution. This disposition will garner additional divine favours. Likewise, conversely. In light of this rationale, Allah SWT serves as a reminder via His divine words: “I will increase the blessings of the grateful, and the punishment of the ungrateful shall be excruciating” (QS. Ibrahim: 7).
Gratitude transcends mere verbal expressions and is accompanied by deeds that demonstrate affection and delight for the entirety of His favours. Servants possessing this attribute will be occupied in expressing gratitude for His favours and delighting in the abundance of His gifts. He has no time to complain, compare the bounties received by others, or refuse blessings that are rightfully his. All that exists is the greatest boon for him according to the decree of Allah SWT.
Fifth, develop the habit of facilitating the lives of others rather than creating obstacles. Nevertheless, the actions taken must be in adherence to the relevant regulations. Avoid forcing yourself to simplify matters through rule-breaking, disparaging, and slandering others. It is imprudent to venture into murky waters, much less incite hatred or wrath in others. Human beings are constrained by religious beliefs and regulations. An ethical existence will be characterised by mutual respect rather than animosity, hatred, or violence towards one another. While each individual possesses rights and freedoms, the extent of these are constrained by the rights and freedoms of others. Recognise that existence is analogous to a perpetually ticking clock. The digits of the clock symbolise the human position. It is time for it to increase; however, keep in mind that it will eventually decrease. When the time is right, there will be an opportunity to advance when the cursor is declining. As Sunnatullah stated, all individuals arrived successively. Because of this, existence resembles clockwork. Do not force the needle to descend when it is at the top, or to ascend when it is at the bottom. An injury to the hand, damage to the clock movement, or breakage of the needle may result from such actions. Living one’s life in accordance with Sunnatullah enhances its beauty. Similar to ripening produce over time. It is aromatic, sweet, and ripe in flavour. An alternative outcome ensues when the produce is compelled to mature prior to its intended time. The flavour will be acidic, tasteless, and odourless.
Sixth, give philanthropy with diligence. Despite the assertion that alms (whether in the form of material, intellectual, or energetic contributions) can avert catastrophe, the practice of bestowing alms must be accompanied by genuineness—without boasting or ostentation. Or, enthusiastically encouraging others to contribute alms, only to find that those who accept are parsimonious. Keep in mind the adage from the ancestors: “Do not inform the left hand when the right hand gives alms.” The meaning serves as a reminder that there should be no sense of arrogance or pride in the performance of virtuous deeds, including giving aid or alms. Every act of charity performed will be “like a leaking bucket” if this is carried out. It was initially filled, but it was empty when it arrived at its destination. Because the container containing the charity was discovered to be leaking at Riya’s own expense, who was only interested in receiving praise. Consequently, the entirety of philanthropy overflows into the journey of one’s existence.
Human beings will be capable of constructing a dignified civilization when, at the very least, the aforementioned six endeavours have the capacity to imbue their character. However, cultivating the polar opposite of this attribute as one’s personal colour will result in the development of barbaric individuals who are preoccupied solely with their own desires and requirements. Human beings who possess faith and contentment are devoid of any residual negative attitudes, including towards Allah SWT. Activities (efforts) are coordinated with the Almighty Being, executed optimally, and tethered to a robust “tree” of tawakkal with the intention of serving Him alone. All of destiny is eternally appreciative. All decisions are reached with the conviction that what is acquired represents an expression of divine affection towards His devotees.
The correlation between genuine faith and contentment is as follows. It is highly fortuitous that individuals who are led to happiness by servants possessing the attribute of faith since genuine happiness can only be attained through faith. A correlation that is incorporated is comparable to the fusion of delectable coffee water. Sincere faith will perpetually supply human beings with nutritious honey, thereby facilitating their attainment of pleasure. Conversely, when one’s faith has waned or has been exchanged for counterfeit joy, they have unwittingly crafted “poison” that will bring about their own demise.
Faith alone is indeed the key to attaining the very essence of happiness, and it is through horizontal and vertical happiness that individuals will discover the delicacy of faith. Without a solid foundation in one’s own being, faith will perpetually cause unhappiness and discontentment. It prefers rain when the temperature is high, but humidity when it is low. You desire crowds when you are alone, but calm when you are alone. The subsequent round of discontentment rages. When not yet possessed, everything is, in theory, present and desired.
Nevertheless, in the absence of faith, individuals abandon theory. Because, once an individual acquires something, they desire dominion over it and are unwilling to share it. By this attribute, he is preoccupied exclusively with the future and disregards the present.
Humans who place their trust in faith will perpetually be appreciative and veridical of their possessions. Due to this realisation, he ceased to have the capacity to “hold the world with his hands.” A mere fraction of the world’s contents is smaller than he takes his hand. Indeed, the more tightly one grasps it, the less content one retains. When the grip is tightened, a greater quantity of the grip’s contents will escape. This provides others with sustenance in exchange for what they possess.
Indeed, the life-sustaining oxygen of joy that emanates from the foundation of faith will perceive nature as a reflection of His magnificence. Everything will appear to his senses and heart as the splendour and goodness of Allah alone. Conversely, in the absence of faith (authentic faith), there is scepticism regarding the existence of blessings. Both his heart and eyes were closed. The combination of wisdom and desire generates a vast array of malevolent fantasies concerning others, particularly those whom one perceives as adversaries. Exactly what a detriment for an individual possessing a dark spirit. Disoriented, he is incapable of locating the way to the truth. No one has the authority to discern or know the degree of one’s faith and happiness; only Allah SWT possesses this capability. A pure soul never relies on one’s actions. He possesses solely a yearning for Him and a devotion that is further emphasised. Conversely, within an impure spirit, outward appearances serve only to obscure one’s filth. Being with Him is not possible within Him. Such a loss for individuals such as this. Because he will ultimately face humiliation in the presence of Allah and His Messenger.
Wa Allahua’lam bi al-Shawwab.
Translated by Riska Saputra, S.Pd., M.Sc
Undergraduate alumni from the English Education Study Program at STAIN Bengkalis.
Master alumni from the Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology at National Central University, Taiwan.
