Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim

1. Preface

Psychologically, happiness is divided into two: Hedonia (fleeting pleasure) and Eudaimonia (meaning-based happiness). Scientifically, chasing worldly material only triggers the _hedonic treadmill_—where humans keep running yet never feel satisfied because the brain gets used to quick doses of dopamine that fade fast. But the happiness born from righteous deeds and closeness to the Creator produces stable, lasting tranquility. This is a higher level of happiness that transcends the narrowness of the world, granting mental health because the soul feels it has an eternal purpose.Allah SWT commands us to rejoice in His grace and mercy, which are spiritual, beyond piles of worldly wealth:

قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللّٰهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهٖ فَبِذٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوْاۗ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُوْنَ

“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy—in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.’” (QS. Yunus: 58)

The Messenger ﷺ also illustrated how insignificant this world is compared to the eternal happiness of the Hereafter:

مَا الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا مِثْلُ مَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِصْبَعَهُ فِي الْيَمِّ فَلْيَنْظُرْ بِمَ تَرْجِعُ

“The world compared to the Hereafter is nothing but like one of you dipping his finger into the ocean—then let him see what remains on it [when he pulls it out].” (HR. Muslim)

2. Explanation

The quality of a person is reflected in the reasons he laughs and rejoices. A naive person will rejoice over the fleeting world, even though death can end it in the blink of an eye. But the heroism of a believer is when he rejoices because he can serve others, rejoices because of da‘wah, and is grateful because Allah has granted him righteous deeds. There is a story of an elderly man on the outskirts of town who always smiled every time he returned from the mosque. When asked the secret of his happiness despite having little wealth, he answered with tearful eyes, “Son, I’m happy because this morning Allah still allowed this tongue to mention His name and these hands to clean His place of prostration.” He rejoiced not over what he possessed, but over Whom he carried in his heart: Allah.Rejoicing over the world is like a child proudly holding a soap bubble. It looks shimmering and beautiful, but it will burst with just a touch of a small breeze. Whereas rejoicing over righteous deeds is like planting an olive tree; its fruit is everlasting, its roots are firm in the earth, and its benefits are felt even by grandchildren. We can be funny sometimes; someone buys a luxury car and is so happy he can’t sleep, but when it gets a little scratch, his sadness feels like the end of the world. He’s weary guarding it for fear of losing it. That’s the difference between worldly happiness and worship-based happiness; with worship, the more you do it the more peace you feel without fear of loss, while with worldly happiness, you’re already haunted by fear of theft the moment you get it.

3. Lessons and Message

The fundamental lesson for us is to shift the source of happiness from “what’s in the hand” to “what’s in the heart.” The moral message: don’t let your standard of happiness be dictated by ever-changing worldly trends. Make Allah’s pleasure the sole anchor that keeps your soul stable. True happiness needs no stage or human praise; it only needs alignment between your intention and the will of the Creator

.4. Conclusion

My brothers and sisters, let us evaluate our hearts today: what makes us happiest? If it is righteous deeds, closeness to Allah, and being beneficial to others, then congratulations—you have tasted Paradise before the real Paradise. Don’t let your world shrink your heart. Let Allah’s mercy be the only reason we rejoice, for that is the only joy we will carry with us to His presence.

. والله أعلم بالصواب

الحمد لله رب العالمين

Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Oleh : Abu Sultan Al-Qadrie