Exploring the Relation between Gratitude to Allāh and the Achievement of Happiness

Abstract

Individuals are busy in finding ways for pursuing their dreams and satisfying their need for happiness. Different people see happiness in many different things according to their priorities and needs in life. In the pursuit of happiness, this study concentrates on one area, which is expressing gratitude to the Most Merciful Allāh after He grants us the things that make us happy. Studies and research have been conducted on gratitude and its positive impacts to demonstrate the influence that gratitude has on our subjective well-being and happiness. In this research we try to understand the relationship between gratitude and the degree of happiness that we experience from anything. In addition to the limited amount of primary data gathered through open-ended survey, this study uses information from secondary sources, such as books and research papers written on the subject, to understand the significance of gratitude and its connection to happiness. This study focuses on various perspectives on gratitude and that gratitude is not only a supplemental factor for pleasure, but also a necessary component that ensures happiness both in this life and the next everlasting life. From the angle of the important religious studies as well as empirical research conducted on this subject, the paper also provides insights on the significance of the issue that many of us may know about but forget it in practice and that is the void that we feel within ourselves due to failing to practice gratitude. The study also in brief discusses the materialists who seek happiness in material possessions, yet who never appear to be satisfied with them and they always seem to desire more of them. It concludes that more material possessions do not necessarily make us happy; instead, having more possessions tends to occupy our focus and thus make us forget to be grateful. It also concludes that our true success is determined by whether we are thankful, or do we refuse our Lord's favors and in the way we use the material possessions Allāh bestows on us as gifts and blessings. This research is crucial since it informs and reminds us of the most essential component of happiness.