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SOURCES OF HAPPINESS
Different individuals and groups of people may have different ideas with regard to the best ways of achieving happiness.
These may be classified as follows:
1 Happiness in Wealth;
Wealth is, probably, the element mostly associated, if
not synonymous, with happiness as many people think. These understanding so deep-rooted in the hearts of so many, to the extent
that almost everywhere peoples are engrossed in the acquisition of wealth. They look towards wealth as the primal constituent
of happiness to the point that for them the two are entwined
2 Happiness in Rank and position;
Could real happiness be attained through the acquirement of high rank or position in society? Too much the answer is in
the affirmative. This is apparently due to lack of deep insight in the nature of rank or position and the responsibilities
that they involve. In Islam, holding any position, rank or office is first and foremost regarded as a trust and, therefore,
constitutes an obligation, and a legal as well as moral responsibility. Therefore, those to be entrusted with such roles could
only be citizens who are possessed of unquestionable competence, integrity and virtue. Only a righteous and competent person
can shoulder responsibility and use his position or office for public welfare.
3 Happiness Educational achievements;
It is only by doing so that a persons intellect gets a complete nourishment and his intellectual life becomes enriched
so as to be constructive and useful. It is only by such integration of the intellectual and the spiritual values that the
persons internal nature becomes sound, healthy and happy. However, if knowledge and scientific research are taken as an end
in themselves at the cost of faith, moral and spiritual values, then even the most learned man would unhappily" be regressed
to "the lowest of the low despite any qualifications, degrees, credentials and honours he may have possessed. While advancement
in knowledge and science alone may work well when it comes to the treatment of matter, yet, it could not be taken as conclusive.
4 Happiness in Fame;
How much happiness do the "famous" men and women in
activities enjoy? Let us take a brief look at each of these two activities in turn.
Physical exercises and sporting activities are valuable
things in themselves, but they should only be taken for what they are worth, i.e. to prepare our minds and bodies for the
more serious matters of life. But to some this a source of happiness
Entertainment namely, film and stage actors, singers, dancers,
etc. Is the world of entertainment a source of true happiness?
Far from the common man, it is surprising how many people
still equate happiness with fun. The truth of the matter, however, is that fun and happiness has little or nothing in common.
The correct and logical conclusion would be that fun is what we experience during an act, while happiness is what we experience
after an act. It is a deeper, more enduring, more meaningful and more abiding emotion. Going to an amusement park or to a
ball game, watching a movie or television are fun activities that "may" help someone to relax. One may temporarily forget
his problems and even may laugh. But these are things that do not and could not definitely bring any real happiness to the
person because their positive effects usually last only as long as the fun lasts.
The true me
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