2007-02-09 19:28:43 · 12 answers · asked by Jane 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Thinking that when we leave this body of our's...we will go back to God....God bless!
2007-02-09 19:38:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hobbes, one of the fathers of modern politics observed that the people are in pursuit of happiness, and happiness alone is their sole motivator. Power, true, is a motivation for some, but it is nothing more than the ability to control and ensure happiness for the future. Godly or Godless, Eastern or Western, wealthy or poor, all humans are motivated by one desire, happiness.
Happiness is of two kinds. One, contentment: our overall evaluation of our life and acceptance of our situation, and the other, gratification, the 'spiky' happiness that comes as a result of some transient events like some achievement, some success, reunion with some loved one, some sensual pleasure and so on. Contentment and satisfaction are not the same, and the difference is subtle and meaningful. Satisfactions come by achieving what we want and is dependent upon external factors, while contentment is an inner attitude, a habit, a character.
It is the inner contentment that is the much sought after key to happiness, not the instant gratification. Even a worldly person recognizes that gratification is transient. But he deceives himself into thinking that if he has enough of instant gratifications, he will eventually be happier. This lesson is embodied in the following hadeeth [Tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)]: "Whoever makes the Hereafter his sole concern, Allah will be sufficient for him concerning his affairs and needs in the world, and whosoever makes this world his utmost concern, his life is scattered amongst the affairs of the world and Allah would have no care in which path he is destroyed." (Ibn Majah)
We as Muslims are blessed by guidance from Allah, a guidance that is "a healing for that which is in the breasts, and a guidance and a mercy for the believers." [10:57]
A guidance that makes you rich when you are poor, content when you are dispossessed, happy when you are aggrieved, patient when you are wronged, and grateful when you have however little.
'Wealth and achievement do not equal happiness,' let us get this straight. The Islamic message is that the people are not poor because they are stupid, unmotivated, genetically retarded, or plain evil. Their biggest concern should not be to become wealthy. They are poor because Allah intended so, because they are supposed to find the meaning of their life, their way to Allah, their inner pleasure, and their own ways of charity and benevolence, in their unique condition of poverty. It may be that no amount of effort, skill and shrewdness on their part will ever get them richer. But they can still be happy, really happy.
We must share this gift with our fellow human beings. We must bear witness, to the world starving for true happiness and peace: "Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts ever find peace." [13:28]
2007-02-10 06:42:50 · answer #2 · answered by raYah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of things can make a person happy. I just got a new ipod, that made me happy, recently I also bought a brand new Ford Escape, that also made me happy.
But contentment is a whole different story. There is no material thing in this world that can bring contentment. It must be found elsewhere.
2007-02-10 03:37:06 · answer #3 · answered by AirborneSaint 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My partner and my three sons. I am only 27 and when i had my first son at 16 thought my life was over i had another son at 18 and thae another at 27 ! May seem rubbish to others but when i look back over the years and see where i am now and see what i have acheived in so little time i feel estatic !!! Love you Ian, Robert, Mark and Jay XXXX
2007-02-10 03:37:22 · answer #4 · answered by Princess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love and Art.
2007-02-10 03:31:08 · answer #5 · answered by Barbara V 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
alcohol and orgasms. Neither recommended for the under 21 crowd.
2007-02-10 03:36:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
being with the people i love family and friends
2007-02-10 03:37:13 · answer #7 · answered by lorie v 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the people and animals that I love or have loved.
2007-02-10 03:36:35 · answer #8 · answered by Jay S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When people shut up, that makes me happy.
When they leave and shut the door, that makes me happy.
The phone being unplugged makes me happy.
2007-02-10 03:35:04 · answer #9 · answered by Dovahkiin 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
sharing my "stuff" (money, food, material things), being with friends, having my cat for 10 years.
2007-02-10 06:41:14 · answer #10 · answered by Christop 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋