Where is happiness? More than five billion people are searching for it. But where is it? If happiness was in the hand, then the one whose wrist is adorned with a designer watch worth hundreds of thousands of rands, or whose fingers have been ringed with priceless diamonds, or the one who counts huge bundles of his money everyday, would always be very happy. If happiness was in the eyes, then the one who lives in the most scenic of places, with his most luxurious, expensive and eye-catching possessions such as furniture, cars, clothing, etc., in front of him all the time, would forever be elated. If happiness was in the stomach, the person feasting on delicacies would have been continuously ecstatic, while the one eating simple basic food would have been very miserable . However, nobody has found happiness in possessions and objects. Happiness is in the heart. If the heart is happy, the joy of the heart permeates every part of the body, irrespective of whether the hand does not have a rand, or whether the stomach has only been filled with bread and water. The question is: How does the heart gain happiness?

CONTENTMENT

The foundation of happiness is Imaan. The pillars of this happiness are righteous actions and the qualities of Imaan. Among the foremost qualities of Imaan that bring happiness to the heart and fill one's life with peace and tranquillity is qana'ah (contentment). Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: “Verily true wealth is the contentment of the heart.” In another narration contentment has been described as “the wealth that is never exhausted.” Wahb bin Munabbah (R.A.) expressed this reality in the form of an anecdote. “Respect and wealth went out one day to search for a companion,” he said. “They met contentment and permanently stayed over with him.” The message is clear: Respect and true wealth is to be found in contentment. Otherwise one will be forever poor and miserable despite owning billions. 

Contentment refers to being happy with what one has been blessed with. It entails living within one's means. Contentment does not bar one from possessing any comfort and luxury. Indeed, it is opposed to buying things merely to enhance one's “status,” or to avoid being regarded as “oldfashioned” by others. Contentment is the opposite of materialism. Therefore, if contentment offers peace and happiness, materialism promises unhappiness and misery.

I magine the greatness and virtue of a day which according to authentic Ahadith is ….

• The greatest of all days in the sight of Allah Ta'ala.

• Hazrath Aadam (A.S.) was born on that day, entered into Jannah on the same day and also came down to earth on that very day.

• A person who passes away on this day is saved from the punishment of the grave.

• It is blessed with such a moment that any Dua made therein is certainly accepted.

The day that encompasses all these virtues and such tremendous significance is the day of Jumu'ah (Friday). It is due to this special significance that the day of Jumu'ah is among the Shi'aar of Islam (distinguishing signs by which Islam or a Muslim is identified, such as the Musjid, the month of Ramadhaan, Islamic headgear (topi), etc.). To respect the Shi'aar of Islam is to respect Islam itself while disregarding the Shi'aar of Islam brings severe consequences in this world and the Hereafter.