Happiness within adversities
The society in which man lives today is not the same as the traditional one that existed fifty years back. His traditional society, which transformed more radically in the last three decades, has been replaced with a modem pattern of life that evolved from the complex interplay of diverse but inter-dependent systems. Beginning from the manufacture of factory machines to the production of weapons of mass destruction as well as the daily sophistication of the world of information technology with their attendant consequences, man comes under the direct influence of modernity. Owing to the complex burdens of survival imposed upon man by some tempting forces of modern life (many of them socio-economic), happiness expressed through peace of mind is gradually becoming a taboo in many developing countries of the world including Nigeria.
One would ordinarily expect developed countries to have higher rate in the prevalence of all the crises associated with modernity but unfortunately, happenings in developing countries especially those in Africa have debunked this hypothesis. Developed countries which have the most sophisticated firearms and newest nuclear weapons would always have minimal casualty figures whenever one superpower nation launches a military attack against another. But any of the countries within the West African sub-region where machetes, cutlasses and knives are the commonest fighting equipment could suffer a death toll of over a hundred persons in just one communal violence. This possibly explains why the state of basic infrastructures such as transportation, power supply, portable drinking water as well challenges of urbanization including frightening population growth, housing deficit, basic education and primary healthcare delivery are all upsetting in this part of the world.
An average Nigerian today goes to bed and wakes up with catalogue of problems on his neck. His children attend public schools where standards are only theories. He is thus unhappy that he cannot afford the cost of sending them to better schools where quality is the bottom-line in the teaching and learning process. He is also sad that he cannot afford the cost of proper medical attention when he or his family members fall ill. We cannot say he is happy when he returns home from work and finds no water (hot or cold) to kill his thirst.
Each time he goes out of his house, he finds himself paying one form of levy or tax. He pays for entering the market. He pays for parking his car or motorcycle in the public lot. Besides the card he pays for when he goes to the hospital, he also pays for consultation fees and other sundry levies at a Dispensary, General or even a teaching Hospital.
We must, nonetheless, not allow hardship or vicissitude of existence to snatch away our moments of happiness. Hardships are not barriers to happiness and should, therefore, not deny us the pleasure of living a peaceful life full of gratitude to Allah (SWT). Life is too short to be further shortened by anxieties over things we have no choice or control including wealth, political power, children, knowledge, health and death. There is only one secret way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things, which are exclusively the prerogatives of our Creator, Allah (SWT).
Gratitude to Allah (SWT) is the soul of happiness. No matter how deplorable the situation in which we find ourselves may appear to us, it is only righteous for us to be happy and express happiness. We must learn to search for happiness inside of us and not around us. Whoever looks for happiness in material things around him would never be grateful to Allah (S WT) and may also never find happiness in such things.
Happiness does not really rest in, for instance, living in Abuja City, Lagos, London, Europe or America as many of those who erroneously seek happiness across the Mediterranean think. Becoming a president, governor, senator, state legislator, local government chairman or a political leader at any level does not entirely represent happiness. Happiness signifies a peace of mind that is achieved by living according to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Some of us have always assumed, faultily though, that if we bought the latest brand of car or lived in the biggest mansion or purchased every automatic machine or appliance that makes life easier, we would be happy or happier on earth. To the contrary, these things have unfortunately become the cause of the worry, challenges and trouble that many of us suffer in our daily life.
The joy of being a believer and righteous for that matter is of course greater than the whole universe and its treasures because one’s religion is the only and worthwhile asset with which one could meet Allah (SWT). Power, position and money are nothing but momentary and transient belongings. Allah (SWT) says in Qur’an 20:131 “Nor strain thine eyes in longing for the things we have given for enjoyment to parties of them, the splendour of the life of this world, through which we test them: But the provision of thy lord is better and more enduring”.
Sometimes, we do not look happy on the job we find ourselves doing. For instance, you could see a banker wanting to change his job because of one frustrating factor or another. However, one basic fact which some of us fail to grasp is that the mystery of happiness is not in doing what one likes but in liking what one has to do especially when it is against one’s wish. We need to earn a living in order to survive. Besides, Allah (S WT) is more acquainted than we are about our problems and their solutions. Moreover, He (SWT) knows better what is good for us.
A righteous life is the key to happiness. Those who worship Allah (SWT) in the prescribed manner and also avoid acts of transgression verily dwell in happiness even though they may be living in mud houses, wearing torn clothes or riding on their feet to all destinations. To sustain happiness within us, we must try to always have a thankful heart and hold on to a remembering tongue. Let us sincerely ensure that our sustenance is derived and earned through honest and legitimate means. This definitely has a consequential effect on our desire to achieve and sustain happiness. May Allah (SWT) grant us happiness in this life and in the Hereafter, amin.