Happiness

Most of the people nowadays shows themselves happy. However, that is probably not the case, but more like people 'pretend' to be happy. Question yourself, are you happy? Have you ever grasped the true essence of happiness? 
Lets discuss how do we become happy biologically. For that, we must memorize the DOSE formula. Although there are many happy chemicals in our body, four of them are the mostly responsible for our happiness namely Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphin.  

Happy Chemicals 

Dopamine

Another organic chemical produced by several parts of brain. It creates a feeling of motivation and helps us release the energy we need to get the rewards we want. In survival terms that usually means food and water, but we can benefit from it in other ways such as we must do various tasks which will enable our brain to reward us with dopamine. Also, congratulating yourself on completing little tasks will amp up its production.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a 'bonding' chemical normally produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. It is produced when someone begins to trust on you, so in order to increase its production, one must trust others as well to earn others trust. Moreover, being more interactive with each will increase its production as touch stimulates its production thus shaking hands or hugging will help to produce more Oxytocin. Having a massage would also help. 

Serotonin

It is released when one finds itself bigger or stronger than another; having an advantage creates a feeling of safety. Enjoy wherever you are and appreciate your own importance. Imagining that you will be respected by other people at your back will help its build up. Exposure to bright light, especially sunshine, is one way to increase serotonin. Exercise and happy thoughts also stimulate production of this chemical. Some research has found that a higher intake of tryptophan-heavy foods, relative to other foods in the diet, may do the trick as well. Also, not focusing on what you do not control helps you to eliminate a big source of frustration such as a person must not focus on a bad weather. 

Endorphins

One of the happy chemicals released by pituitary gland and central nervous system. It is basically produced in response to pain to inhibit it and give a pleasure feeling but its production can be stimulated by laughter. Furthermore, a research shows that Endorphins have also been looked into as a way to aid in the treatment of anxiety and depression through exercising. 

How to use these in our daily lives

We must set up different tasks everyday and struggle to complete them. Accomplishing tough tasks will also motivate us and make us feel more important. We must appreciate others as well on their accomplishments which will develop more trust between each other. We must interact with each others most often and spend time with each other, watching comedy shows, or exercising with each other. We must be grateful on what we have and must not worry for those things which are out of our control but instead we must believe Almighty Allah to be responsible for those things. Being optimistic would be far more better than to be pessimistic of others. 

Deeds beloved to Allah

The Deeds Beloved To Allah

Though every good deed is beloved to Allah, this post will specify some of those deeds. However, we should be consistent in doing good deeds and so there are many other actions beloved to Allah which we can think of. 

Individual acts

Faith in Allah

Faith in Allah means a person's total submission to Allah by fulfilling all His commands. This is also the first step to become a Muslim. Also, it means that in whichever problem you are in, do not get worried, as Allah can easily solve the problem. A Muslim must always be grateful of His Lord blessings.

 The Prophet said: 

“The most beloved deeds to Allah is Faith in Allah, then maintaining good relations with kith and kin, then enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.” 

(Sahih At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, Hadith: 2522).

Simplicity in religion

The Prophet ﷺ said: 

“The most beloved religion to Allah is the Al-hanafiyyatu sam’ha(Easy going religion)." 

[Collected by Ahmad]

Thus, we should consider Islam a simple way of life which will lead you to paradise.

 A man asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace): Do you think that if I perform the obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, treat as lawful that which is lawful and treat as forbidden that which is forbidden, and do nothing further, I shall enter paradise? He said: Yes

Good intention and action

A Muslim must always be true from his heart and perform good actions. 

The Prophet said:

Humility

The Prophet himself remained humble throughout his life. When the Makkah was conquered by Muslims in 8 AH, he entered the city very humbly. Even though he ruled vast area of Arabia, he was never prideful but rather grateful of Allah for the blessing He bestowed over him.The Prophet said:

 "He who has in his heart as much faith as a grain of mustard seed will not enter hell, and he who has in his heart as much pride as a grain of mustard seed will not enter paradise."

This Hadith clearly indicates that pride lead a person to a wrong path away from his faith. 

Righteous Character

The Prophet said: 

“The most beloved servant to Allah is he who has the best character”.  

[Collected by Tabaraani] 

Thus, a Muslim must be kind, humble, gently, and modest. The Prophet laid emphasize in attaining modesty as well as he said: 

"Modesty produces nothing but good." 

Thus, a Muslim must be modest from his appearance, speech, and lifestyle and must not be materialistic. 

The Prophet said:

Consistency In Doing Good Deeds

Muslims must be constant on doing good deeds as the Prophet said: 

“The most beloved of actions to Allah are those which are done persistently, even if they are little.” (Muslim 783). 

So, for this, A Muslim must also do good deeds socially as well. Some deeds can also be counted as charity as the Prophet said:

 "Every person’s every joint must perform a charity every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it is a charity; a good word is a charity; every step you take to prayers is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity."

Performing Prayer On Its Right Time

The Prophet (PBUH) was asked:

 “Which deed is the dearest to Allah?” He replied: “To perform the (daily compulsory) prayers at their (early) stated fixed time.” 

 Muslims are expected to avoid performing praying late unless if they have a valid reason to do so.

Reciting Qur'an

The Prophet said:

 "He who studies the Qur’an is like the owner of tethered camels. If he attends to them he will keep hold of them, but if he lets them loose they will go away."

 In this hadith, the Prophet has linked the bond of a Muslim with the Quran with the ownership of the tethered camels. Reciting Qur'an also gives us numerous rewards as well as it acts as an intercessor in the day of Judgement for the one who attends to it daily. 

The Four most beloved words

The Prophet ﷺ said:

 “The most beloved words to Allah are four; sub’haanallah, al-humdu lillaah, wa laa ilaaha illa Allah, wa Allahu Akbar”.  [Collected by Muslim]. 

These words can be recited continuously. 

Striving In The Way Of Allah

A Muslim can struggle in the way of Allah with numerous methods. He could either use his knowledge to suppress false ideas, he could use his influence to do so, or even striving against with your own desires is also struggling in the way of Allah. 

Social Acts

Speaking Truth

The Prophet ﷺ said:

 “The most beloved of speech to me is that which is most truthful”. [Collected by Bukhaari] 

This deed also guarantees a Muslim entrance to Jannah. The Prophet also said that a person should avoid saying something bad from his tongue and remaining silent will be better for him. 

Maintaining Good Ties

Allah does not like a Muslim severing his ties with his kith and kin and so deprive His mercy. The Prophet said:

 

 “Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan extended, let him uphold his ties of kinship.”

 Also, a Muslim must fulfill his duty to other his relatives as well. The Prophet said:

 "Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his neighbour, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his guest."

 Also, the Prophet laid emphasize to develop good ties with those who are socially weak or are in need such as poor, orphan, and widow. 

Good Behavior Towards Parents

It is necessary for a person to look after his parents when they become weak as they were once brought up by their parents as well. The relation between a child and parent remain same even if the parent is an unbeliever. 

The Prophet Said:

Mercy

The Prophet laid emphasizes on a Muslim to display mercy to everyone. He said: 

"Allah will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others."

Eating with each other in the same plate

This action distinguishes social and other differences among Muslims.

"The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most beloved meal to Allah is that in which many hands partake from the plate”. 

[Collected by Ibn Hibbaan]

Raising Voice Against An Oppressor

The Prophet ﷺ said:

 “The most beloved jihaad to Allah is speaking the truth in the presence of an unjust ruler”. 

[Collected by Ahmad].

 The Prophet also commanded us to end any prevailing evil by either with hands, tongue or influence. He said: 

"Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not able to do so then with his tongue, and if he is not able to do so then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith."

Mosques

The Prophet asked Muslims to pray at mosque in congregation as it develops a sense of unity among Muslims. Also, it is a spiritual center which helps a man to improve morally.  The Prophet ﷺ said: 

“The most beloved places to Allah are the mosques, and the most hated places to Allah are the marketplaces”. 

[Collected by Muslim]

How people turned Polytheistic in the past

History after 

Prophet Nuh and Prophet Ibrahim

Most of the time in the history, there were people who used to worship idols and many other gods besides the true God, Allah. They used to make numerous of them. The idols created in the history were for different purpose and even now paganism exists in the form of Shinto or Hinduism. The Egyptians used to make their gods as well as European states such Baltic and Finnish. Even in the ancient Arabia, polytheism prevailed. The two best stories of how people turned pagans are told below. 

Prophet Nuh

When the Prophet Nuh died, the word of Allah was carried by his followers. Soon the polytheism began to take root after his death. According to Abdullah ibn Abbas, there were five righteous men from the people of Nuh. These were popular in their people and so were beloved to all people. The Qur'an mentions their names in Surah Nuh verse 23:"“They said to each other: ‘Do not leave your gods! Do not give up Wadd and Suwaa, nor Yaghooth, Ya’ooq and Nasr!” When they died, Satan deceived people to make idols in the memory of them. When that generation died, the purpose of the idols was forgotten. So the next generation began to worship them. In accordance to Wadd, Ibn Kathir says:"Ibn Abi Hatim related this story, “Waddan was a righteous man, who was loved by his people. When he died, they withdrew to his grave in the land of Babylonia and were overwhelmed by sadness. When Iblees (name of Shaytaan) saw their sorrow caused by his death, he disguised himself in the form of a man saying, ‘I have seen your sorrow because of this man’s death; can I make a statue like him which could be put in your meeting place to make you remember him?’They said: ‘Yes.’ So, he made a statue like him. They put it in their meeting place in order to be reminded of him. When Iblees saw their interest in remembering him, he said: ‘Can I build a statue of him in the home of each one of you so that he would be in everyone’s house and you could remember him?’ They agreed. Their children learned about and saw what they were doing. They also learned about their remembrance of him, until they took him to be a deity and worshiped him instead of Allah. So, the first to be worshiped instead of Allah was Waddan, the idol which they named thus.”

Prophet Ibrahim

First narration (Muhammad Arabi by Anayatullah Subhani)

When the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail died, the people were saddened. Because these Prophets had built the kabah, they began to collect stones around it and began to keep it with them, believing it would benefit them. Soon they began to take these stones with them in their journeys and trades and so a false concept originated which said that having these stones would benefit them. Soon the people began to carve these stones into idols and each household began to have idols. These were worshipped and so paganism originated in Arabia. 

Second narration (Mukhtasar Seerat-ar-Rasool p.12)

It is believed that a person existed in pre-Islamic times namely Amr bin Luhayy al Khuzai. He was the chieftain of Banu Khuzaa and was known for his generousity, kindness, and humility. So all of his tribesmen were loyal to him. Once he led a trade caravan to Syria and say people there worshiping idols. He bought one idol namely Hubal and approved of idol worshipping. The idol was placed in Kabah and upon Amr's order, the idol was worshipped as people believed of him to be truthful. From Mecca, the paganism spread all over Arabia. 

Ibn Jarir at-Tabaree (the author of the famous Tafseer at-Tabaree) mentions the explanation of Mujahid about the verse, “Have you then considered al-Lat and al-Uzza. “He (al-Laat) used to serve the pilgrims by preparing Seewaq (fine flour of barley or wheat mixed with water and ghee) for them. After his death, the people began to stay and confine at his grave for the purpose of reward.”