The Secret of Happiness
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The Secret of Happiness

Many books that are written in the past bear testimony to the fact, how greed overturns a man and forces him to act beastly and wildly

Post by on Thursday, September 16, 2021

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The rapidity of time and years has always been tough to track; time runs with the speed as if years and a decade pass an overnight. I once happened to ask an old gentleman, “Sir, what’s your age?” The experienced yet dapper looked man with mustaches whom I had posed the question stared at me with bulging eyes; as if I had stolen something treasurable from his pocket. Musing—I recalled an apothegm that I was told by a female friend of mine formerly, “Jameel, never ask a girl about her age; as it does exasperate her to an infinite extent.” Contemplating-- I must not have done any misdemeanor, the man replied that he was in his 90’s. His gesture was ample enough to start being cozy and enquire a bit more. 
 
At times moving out of smudge becomes significant to explore the novel stuffs; hence, I asked him again; “Sir, how long you think you have been living in this world?”  Although, the question was bit philosophical and demanded wisdom to comprehend, the intrigue yet exploring question didn’t bother him, rather made him smirk a little.  “The speed of time is untraceable, one fails to figure when he is a child, an adolescent and when he steps into an old age. The mystery of life-span has always remained a mystery, even though; many tried and try to resolve it, but, flunked/flunk entirely.  The man, I reflected--- wanted to live here for centuries and seemed in his 90’s with an unquenchable longing for this world and it appeared that he hasn’t met his passion yet!“A man by nature is selfish.” I had read something like somewhere.
 
Islam and Prophet Mohammad, may peace and blessing be upon him has taught us contentment, and how to remain satiated and gratified. Man by nature is avaricious, if given a paradise shall demand many more. The holy prophet Mohammad (SAW) has said, “Beware of greed, for it was only greed that destroyed those before you. It commanded them to be miserable and they did so. It commanded them to sever their family ties and they did so. It commanded them to behave wickedly and they did so.” Islam in many chapters discusses at large the ravenousness and its harm effects and says that a man by nature is greedy and can go to any extent to fulfill the lust and greed—Al-Quran mentions, “ Indeed , man is ungrateful to his Lord and He is witness to this; he is truly excessive in his love of wealth.”Al-Adiyat, 100:6-8.
 
Many books that are written in the past bear testimony to the fact, how greed overturns a man and forces him to act beastly and wildly. It is greed that forces a man to go awry and cuddle that route which has been declared as profane and sacrilegious. However, restraining self from transgressions is very difficult task; as a man by birth loves ease and liberty but self-discipline and self-restraint can be learnt by determination and self-commitment; otherwise the lust and greed will empower him and shall extinguish him completely. Imami Ghazali (RA) in his famous book Kimiya-e-Saadat, writes that the initial years of his ‘ibadat’ were very tough as he had to train his ‘Nafas’ and convince it for the commands of Allah (SWT) until the time reached it became habit. 
 
Studying literature turned a blessing for me, for it taught me the real existence of life. Literature has been my passion since the time I was introduced to it. It taught me in real sense the meaning of determination, honesty, discipline conviction and commitment – as it was the breach of commitment that caused the fall of man, and it was pride, ignorance, and haughtiness that refused Satan to prostrate before Adam (AS). And behold, we said to the angels; “Bow down to Adam” And they bowed down. Not so Iblis: He refused and was haughty: He was of those who rejected faith. (2.34)
 
However, not only Islam but other religions also discuss at length about gluttony, in Christianity, it is among the deadly sins at serial number 2 preceded by pride. Other religions say that running after lust, possession power and to have more and more does have many horrendous consequences. Mahatma Buddha, has said, “This world is of sufferings, desire is the cause of suffering and these sufferings can be removed by suppressing desire.
 
A man should always be satisfied and satiated, for his satiation lies in understanding that everyone’s life is different than the other. One must comprehend that life is predestined and fated-- so every second person’s fate stands different than the other. A man who earns good bucks is encircled with different issues in life from the one who earns less. Although, life is very short but remaining at peace with it is very difficult and is not a cake walk. People consider earning handsome salaries satisfaction—I won’t refute that money doesn’t make a man happy or buy happiness; well, it does, and does to a larger extent. It undeniably, brings happiness and contentment but considering money as the sole source of happiness is mere stupidity. What one needs for living is—Shelter, food and clothing, if one has that; he must be relaxed and gratified. Moreover, one needs to learn gratification, satiation and the alchemy of his happiness; although for me it lies in the remembrance of the Lord of Universe.
 
Since my childhood, I would always ponder on the existence, I still remember by heart that I used to think life is a   dream from which I shall wake up soon and open my eyes in a different world, I was hardly 7 to 8 years old then and coincidently, later I came to know my thinking process would resemble Sufi characteristics or might it be because of Nani, since she has a huge influence in my life, unlike fairytales I have been brought up with Qasasul- Ambiya which Nani would narrate every night before I would fall asleep—I still commemorate, the story of Yusuf (AS) with zulaikha, the arguments of Iblees, Hazrat Mosa (AS) and in Bani Israeal after crossing the Red sea, Hazrat Luqman—the man of wisdom and temptation of Adam (AS) which I later read in the paradise Lost by Milton.
 
I remember, Nani, would tell me that Akbar, the king was the richest man but still had to rely on Birbal for counseling.
 
(Author is Rising Kashmir Columnist and can be reached at: mufti.jameel97@gmail.com)