Happiness In This Life Before The Next

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah only commands us what benefits us. We might not see the benefits because of our own shortsightedness or lack of certitude, but if we realize this, we shall look upon the Islamic legislation, not as a burden, but as a blessing, and shall be duly grateful for the guidance and the lead given to us.

Allah intends every ease for us in prescribing His Laws to us. Fasting in Ramadhan is one example.

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

"Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’ān, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. God intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him."

Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:185

Ultimately, obedience of Allah leads to Paradise. This fact alone, even if a particular command were to lead to all kinds of detriment--hardship, discomfort, inconvenience, and so on, the benefit of Paradise is so tremendous and the worldly detriment will dwindle away to nothing. The truth is if we do what Allah wants us to do, it will also lead to good in this life before the next life.

Allah describes Himself as Al-Wadud, the One Who loves His slaves and His slaves love Him. His love to His slaves is His Will to be merciful to them and praise them.

Allah says,

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِى نَفْسَهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ رَءُوفٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ

"And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of God. And God is full of kindness to (His) devotees."

Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:207

His servants are those who obey Him. If you obey Allah, He will be compassionate and merciful to you.

وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَٰحِهَا وَٱدْعُوهُ خَوْفًۭا وَطَمَعًا ۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

"Do no mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of God is (always) near to those who do good."

Qur'an Al-Araf 7:56

When there is somebody who has worshiped Allah and they have a loving relationship with his Lord, when they read the Qur'an, they gain a sense of happiness, optimism, and gratitude, and they are drawn to their Lord.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to pray until his feet would swell through standing at night in prayer.

Narrated by Aisha, Allah be pleased with her, "The Prophet used to offer prayer at night (for such a long time) that his feet used to crack. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Why do you do it since Allah has forgiven you your faults of the past and those to follow?" He said, "Shouldn't I love to be a thankful slave (of Allah)?' When he became old, he prayed while sitting, but if he wanted to perform a bowing, he wound get up, recite (some other verses) and then perform the bowing." (Bukhari)

The greatest gratitude comes from having this view of Allah.

فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ

"Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, be grateful to Me, and reject not Me." Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:152

Allah contrasts شكر shukr with كفر kufr. Kufr has this sense of anger and bitterness towards God. It is an active disbelief. It's opposite is shukr. Our worship of Allah should be grateful and this is shown very powerfully when the actions that you do, you see them as beneficial to you. It gives you the more reason to be grateful to Allah.

May Allah make us among the grateful. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam