Ali Hammuda – Qur’an in the Night – Episode 01 – Happiness

			salaam aleikum wa rahmatullah wa barakato Alhamdulillah wa Salatu was Salam ala rasulillah Welcome
dear brothers and sisters to another one of our episodes, Ramadan Lecture Series 2019 dealing with
topics that are taken from the Quran and since this is the month of the Quran, this lecture series
could not be of any more relevance. We the human race are different in just about everything our
backgrounds color, creed, ideologies, thoughts, experiences. One thing, however, that we all have in
common is that we are looking for happiness everyone is pursuing happiness. In no era in human
history, however, have the complex mysteries of the universe being unraveled like they have in our
		

			era today. In no era in history before have man has man been able to subdue the unfriendly elements
of nature, like he has today, and in no era in human history have the means of comfort and welfare
and well being being attained like they have today. Nevertheless, we find that the goal of reaching
the pleasant life despite the cozy homes despite the inviting furniture despite sanitation on
demand, despite the hot water cold water never has the goal of reaching that pleasant life drifted
further away from our shores, like it has today. Some statistics in 2006 alone, there were 31
million prescriptions of antidepressants here in England, alone, can you imagine?
		

			There was also a report that was published by the UNICEF suggesting now that the highest rate of
teenage suicide in the developed world is that beautiful country, New Zealand? What is going on? The
Independent also cited a report not too long ago, saying that between the year 2010 and 2017, the
rate of teenage suicide has spiked in England and Wales by a staggering 67% What on earth is going
on? I mean, the 21st century has taught us how to fly in the sky like birds and how to dive into the
oceans like fish, but how to walk on planet earth as happy content.
		

			Human beings, a lot of us still don't know how to do this. What is going on? And hear the story of
Christina Onassis comes to mind Christina, who was the daughter of the multi billionaire Aristotle,
Onassis woman, her father died, she inherited all of the deposits, the reserves at the boats, and
she became the richest woman on earth. But was she happy for from it unfortunately, Subhana Allah,
she married a man from America. And it was only a few years after that relationship would wither
away, and they would walk their separate paths. Not too long after this, she would marry a man from
Greece. And again, it was the same experience they would walk away from one another in divorce. She
		

			really was struggling. She would try and her luck a third time with a Russian man and people who
were staggered amazed. They said to her, how can it be like that a woman like yourself represents
the capitalist society of America be compatible with a man who represents the communist Society of
Russia? What did she say? She said, I am just looking for happiness, young, Lahore. All of this
within hardly two years. And now she was on the verge of marrying the fourth man because that
relationship with the Russian man also broke down. This time, she will try her luck for the fourth
time with a French industrialist. And again, the party happened and they were married. And during
		

			one of the parties, Christina was asked, Is it true that you are the richest woman on earth and she
responded by saying I am the richest woman on earth and the unhappiest woman on earth again, a few
years after this, that relationship broke down as well and ended in divorce. Having failed to find
happiness in married life, Christina vow to look for happiness all by herself without marriage, and
she traveled frantically from city to city country to country until she was tragically found at the
age of 37 years old, in a hotel room in Argentina, lying that as an unfulfilled young woman. We
cannot change the story of Christina. But we can undoubtedly change many stories of people who are
		

			heading in the same in the same direction I want to give you today dear brothers and sisters, seven
milestones taken from the portal and from the book of Allah.
		

			If we act upon them with sincerity and determination, we will find happiness for sure by his
permission. And if you were to correlate what the experts and theorists and scientists have said
about this particular topic, I claim that the majority of what they said has been captured by the
seven principles. Principle number one, focus with me dear brothers and sisters, and make sure that
you take note of the headings and I tell you this as a footnote, there's going to be a secret for
you. I will leave that until the end of the talk.
		

			Principle number one, make sure that you give your second half due attention. What do I mean by your
second half, your second half, ie your soul, your soul, any Muslim continue that we the human beings
are made up of two components our body, our physical body and a soul. And both of them require their
food in order to live a contented and happy life. Since the body was sourced from the earth, the
food for the body is from the earth. So food and drink and marital relations security that's found
here. That's where the food is to be sourced. As for the soul, it is extraterrestrial, terrestrial,
it wasn't created from Planet Earth. And therefore the food for that soul has to be from Allah, in
		

			the form of Revelation, what he called an Salah, Doha repentance, hijab, good companionship, that is
the Food for the Soul. The issue is here, we all recognize the sound of the body when it screams out
in hunger. But a lot of us completely are unaware of what the soul sounds like when it calls out for
food. And we miss read the messages. So the soul says feed me and we end up feeding the body. So we
become more miserable. I give you an example. You feel down, you feel depressed, you feel that you
are within a pit of darkness anxious. So what do we do we turn to the fridge? What do we do? We book
a vacation, what do we do, we go on a shopping spree, a new pair of shoes, we're Miss reading the
		

			messages. What is calling out for help is the soul not the body, it is the soul. And we're just
giving it sedation, we're giving it temporary painkillers. And so the screams of the soul they only
get louder and louder because we're not giving it the food it requires. And this is why a lot of
people turn to alcohol, drugs, intoxicants because they can't deal with the sounds of the screams of
the soul. So they drink, they take drugs, God forbid they knock themselves out. And so they managed
to quiet in the scream of the soul for a short period of time. Then what happens? They wake up, they
regain their consciousness, and their their senses come back to them and the screams of the soul
		

			return and now they are harsher and louder than before. People don't know what to do. It's the soul
that's calling you're not the body the body is fine for the most part.
		

			And that is why people end up going to one of two destinations here. Either they give the soul the
food that it has been yearning for the entire time, which is Islam and, and repentance and lowering
the gaze. Or either they find no way to quiet in those loud screams of the soul other than to claim
their own lives. This is Principle number one guideline number one, ensure that you give your second
half the food that it desires. Principle number two, take note of the heading once again be a person
of contentment be a person who is satisfied with what Allah subhanaw taala has chose for him chose
for her. There was a man who used to wake up every morning, and he would go to the edge of the sea.
		

			And he would engage in his fishing and come home with only two fish. One fish he would give to his
family, the other fish he would sell and reinvest in his family. One of his friends said to him, why
do you only limit yourself to two fish? Why not four or five or 10? He said to him, then what? He
said well, then you will become more affluent. He said then what he said then you can think about
employing another fisherman to work next to you. He said okay, then what? He said, Well, eventually
you could amass enough money to invest in a boat and bring you even more fish. He said okay, then
what he said, then you can invest in a fleet of boats Can you imagine? And you will become even more
		

			affluent.
		

			He said then what he said then you can think about opening up your own fish store in town. He said
then what he said then maybe you can think about expanding and having a franchise of shops. He said
then what he said then you become a multimillionaire. He said then what he said, then you have peace
of mind. He said my brother I am already at peace. Now Illa Illa Allah in other words, why do you
need to take me to the other side of the world, in order to bring me to a destination that I have
already arrived at? I'm already happy with what Allah has given me. I don't need any more. And what
is even more beautiful than this. The words of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam who
		

			said, summarizing the story in one sentence, Lisa Latina and Kathy Lara in the Marina, Marina neffs.
		

			He said, being rich and prosperous and wealthy, is not about having a lot of money, a lot of
material possessions. No, he said being prosperous is when your heart is content. That is when you
are rich. When your heart is content, Allahu Akbar, brothers and sisters, we are travelers. You are
a traveler. You and I are passers by in the life of this world. And as a passer by as a traveler.
How many extras do you need? Much of the things that social media and TV has convinced us that we
need artifact extras that we don't need and as a traveler, how many
		

			any extra Do you want to be carrying on your back? lightest will be quickest on the Day of Judgment
take that as a rule, lightest will be quickest. So make your moto make your slogan in life or Allah.
If you are pleased with me if you are happy, then I don't mind what you're giving me and I don't
mind what you withhold. Oh Allah just be pleased with me. This is Principle number two be a positive
contentment. Principle number three again, are you taking note of the headings Principle number
three, be one who pardons be one who forgives? I know that sounds cliche. I know that sounds
standard. But I tell you this dear brothers and sisters, it is only those who have experienced this
		

			who can testify to how effective this mechanism is in becoming a happy person who sleeps well at
night. I know that there are some people who've upset you. I know some have perhaps stolen money
from you not returned possessions to you some who have slandered you. backstabbed. You I know. And I
also know that there is a sweetness involved in revenge. Don't get me wrong. That is true. However,
there are certain things in life that are sweeter than revenge. Like what? Like being able to
courageously overlook and forgive or regret he said, Let the to a laugh. We have a moment. Let that
in in the car. He said the sweetness involved in forgiving is far greater, far greater than the
		

			sweetness of taking revenge. He said the sweetness of forgiving is greater than the sweetness of
seeking revenge, Allahu Akbar. I know it sounds cliche, but try it. In fact, more and more science
is coming out nowadays suggesting a major link between this ability to act upon forgiveness, and
physical and mental well being sciences suggesting that those who are able to forgive and overlook
the most, they are those who sleep best best at night. And they have the lowest levels of
cholesterol, lowest levels of blood pressure, and the least level of anxiety and depression related
disorders. And they are people who experience the least bodily pains and they are people who sleep
		

			best at night and so on and so forth. Allahu Akbar. In fact, Karen Swartz, who is an Associate
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences said that there is a major link and a major burden
associated with being hurt and disappointed. So this is the third principle be someone who pardons
be someone who overlooks wherever possible, especially when dealing with Muslims dear brothers and
sisters, messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam summarized this meaning beautifully in one bit of
advice that he gave to a companion called dog but son of Iommi. He said to him, yeah, that happened
to me. Oh, about sort of,
		

			listen to this advice. He said to him, sleep men.
		

			What are the men had on that one for men, Vandana Akbar son of a hammer, established ties with those
who've cut you off
		

			and give to those who have withheld from you.
		

			And forgive those who have oppressed you, Allahu Akbar, focus on that third one. forgive those who
have oppressed you. This is milestone number three, be one who pardons stay with us dear brothers
and sisters, we will be back after the break inshallah.
		

			So don't want to lie back here to the brothers and sisters, welcome back Principle number four from
our principles from the poor and dealing with the topic of happiness and how it is to be attained.
Principle number four, make sure you take note of the headings be a person who differentiates
between the means and the ends, differentiate between the vehicle and the destination. What does
that mean? You and I are not from here. Our parents were not from this country, rather, Adam and Eve
and these are the ones whom I am speaking about them and how they are not from Planet Earth. They
are from somewhere above. And it was due to a particular predicament that happened there in heaven,
		

			that they were evicted. They were placed here on earth for a short period of time they carried out a
short examination and then they return back to their destination their ends. And you and I are no
exception to the rule. We are passers by in the life of this world. We will carry out a very short
exam within our 5060 or 70 years, then we shall die and meet Allah and this examination theater
called planning planet earth will be deconstructed never to be seen again.
		

			Be a person who differentiates between the means dunya and the ends the hereafter and paradise you
will be a happy person. I give you an example. Imagine that you are a businessman who sells pens one
pound a pound. Then a merchant comes to you and he says look I'm willing to buy from you every
morning a box of pens 10 pound a pen. Of course the deal is agreed
		

			He says to you just come to my office first thing in the morning and I will give you your money, you
give me the products. The only thing that upsets you a little bit is that you realize that when you
go to his shop in the first hour of the morning, he's not very accommodating. He frowns a little
bit. He's not that welcoming, not very hospitable. I asked you a question, will you care?
		

			Would it bother you? The answer is no. So if someone kicks your snaps you in hedge or somebody
doesn't say thank you, when giving them away, the traffic lights you say Alhamdulillah This is from
Allah, how can I profit from this particular scenario, differentiate between the means and the end?
That is Principle number four. Principle number five, make sure that you are a person who correctly
places his reliance and you will be a happy person. Make sure that the one who you depend upon meets
two conditions, somebody whom you love a lot, and somebody who can be relied upon. Why, because you
may love someone, but if they can't be relied upon it, you will struggle to continue with that
		

			person. Similarly, there may be a person who you can rely upon, but you don't love them. Life cannot
continue with such a person. They have to meet both conditions love and reliance, love and
dependability. The issue is here, even if you find that person who you love, and you can depend upon
him or her, guess what that person has to die, that person has to bid you farewell. And therefore we
come to the conclusion that the only one who can be relied upon who will never let you down and a
person who are one whom you love unconditionally. That is only Allah subhanho wa Taala and that is
why Allah He says in the Quran, when he now he buscema what you will, and to Allah belongs the
		

			knowledge of the unseen what he called Amaro kulu and all matters shall return back to him for about
what hour Can he so worship Him and rely upon him, Allahu Akbar, worship Him and rely upon him.
Worship is your love. And here is your reliance. That is only Allah subhanho wa Taala and he will
never let you down. Why is this important to your brothers and sisters, because life teaches us that
not everyone who has a heart will understand that not everyone who has ears is a listener, not
everyone who has eyes can see meaning that you will be let down over and over and over again. The
only one who will never let you down when you put your reliance upon him. He is Allah subhanho wa
		

			Taala and therefore this is Principle number five, ensure that your reliance your dependency is
anchored upon he who you love, and he who can be relied upon. He is none other than Allah.
		

			Principle number six dear brothers and sisters, make sure you're taking note of the headings. Be a
consistent Muslim, be a steadfast Muslim, even when you make a mistake, repent, don't be one foot in
one foot out. That's part of being a happy person Take it from me, any human being who believes that
happiness can be found at other than the doorstep of Allah subhanho wa Taala has shown very bad
expectations in Allah impossible, it is only with him and obeying Him.
		

			And ticket as a rule in life, your souls fatigue and exhaustion is directly linked to how far or
close it is to Allah Subhana horadada
		

			and that is why when Prophet Musa alayhi salatu salam was traveling, he said to his servant after
experiencing so much fatigue, he said it Naga Anna La Casa Latina Musa Farina, Heather Masada he
said to him, bring us our food. We are so tired because of this journey. I am so fatigued. Listen to
what the prophets that I sent him said in commentary of the statement of Prophet Musa he said while
me unsub had jawas and maganda levy only Arabia he the Prophet Musa sallallahu alayhi wa sallam only
experienced fatigue only after he crossed the area that Allah wanted him to be earned. Allahu Akbar.
So his bodily exhaustion was a sign that you had crossed the area where I wanted you to be. So you
		

			do the same and you say the same. Oh my soul. Oh my soul. If you are fatigued if you are constantly
down if you are consciously anxious, it is a sign that you are standing outside of where Allah
Almighty wants you to stand. La ilaha illAllah That is why even though Tamia he would say in
beautiful words, men or other sad al Abadi Valley el de nada de Lobo de whoever is looking for
eternal happiness, he will find it at the doorstep of worship, eternal happiness is found at the
doorstep of worship Allahu Akbar, be a consistent Muslim consistent with your Salah consistent with
your Zakah consistent with your fast consistent my sister with the correct Islamic hijab
		

			consistently away from bad companionship consistently away from intoxicants and you will find that
happiness. Principle number seven, be with the people who live by these principles.
		

			That's it. This is the end of the episode essentially, be with the people who live by these
principles because you and I will slip we will make mistakes, we will succumb to peer pressure and
family pressure. So who are the ones who will guarantee that you will stay upon the narrow the
straight and narrow?
		

			They are the people who you live with. They are your insurance if you wish, make sure that they are
your friends. They are your companionships they are the people whom you speak with.
		

			And here's a surprise I wanted to share with you. You're probably thinking to yourself, how am I
going to remember these seven headings even if I have written them down? When I need them? I want to
remember them in my mind. How am I going to remember them? Here is the surprise you have already
remembered them. You know them already because each and every one of these seven principles were
taken from a sword or from the Quran that you have memorized surah two Fatiha al hamdu Lillahi
Rabbil aalameen, a soda that has seven verses. And we have taken a principle from each verse
chronologically considered with me the following. We said Principle number one for happiness. Be a
		

			person who shows due attention to his second half. Where does that take him from soda to Fatiha.
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim In the name of Allah Almighty, the Entirely Merciful, especially merciful.
You say that before eating before drinking even before engaging in matrimonial relations thing that
serves things that serve the body. But you are reminding yourself that my soul hasn't right my soul
has a right you say Bismillah R Rahman r Rahim Allahu Akbar. Principle number two. We said be a
person of contentment happy with what Allah Almighty has given him or her wherever is that taken
from Surah to Fatiha al hamdu Lillahi Rabbil alameen All praises due to Allah, the Lord of the
		

			worlds you say that when you are happy and when you are sad. Principle number three. We should be a
person who pardons who overlooks who forgives. Where is that taken from Surah Fatiha Nadia Rahim
Allah says He is the Most Merciful tirely merciful Especially Merciful. And we have been taught that
those who show mercy to creation Allah Almighty will show mercy to them. Forgive and pardon that is
Principle number three. We said number four be a person who differentiates between the means and the
ends the vehicle which is life of this world and the destination which is paradise. Where is that
taken from? Sorrento, Fatiha Malik Maliki army Dean, he is the Master of the Day of Judgment, Owner
		

			of the Day of Judgment. So whenever you feel down or depressed or or hurt or disappointed you
remember the day of judgment is where we shall all meet allow awkward differentiate between the
means and the ends. 90 kiyomi Diem, Principle number five we said be one whose reliance is correctly
placed. Someone who you love and someone who you can depend upon and that is only a law. Where is
that taken from soda to the fact he had he can now Buddha he can stay in you alone we worship that's
the love and you alone we rely upon Allahu Akbar that is Principle number five. We said Principle
number six be a consistent Muslim. be steadfast be firm. Where is that taken from Solomon Fatiha
		

			Dena Surat and Mr. Team Guide us to the straight path or law. In other words to keep us on the
straight path of Islam. Allah subhanho wa Taala Principle number seven we said just be with the
people who live with these principles be with the people of goodness and flesh out the people of
that influence from your life. Where is that taken from soda to the Fatiha sirata Lavina naantali
		

			Mana bollin The path of those who you have bestowed your favor upon Oh Allah, not those who have
earned your anger or those who have gone astray. I want to be with these people. Oh Allah. These are
the seven principles taken from soda to the fact he has seven principles for happiness and therefore
it is no surprise that Allah Almighty has ordained upon us to recite this beautiful surah no less
than 17 times a day. It is a reminder of where true happiness is to be found. In our next episode,
we will be addressing inshallah, the topic of excellence sound from the Quran. How does the Quran
speak about the topic of excellence, living by excellence hoping to die upon excellence and hoping
		

			therefore to receive a reward of excellence from Allah subhanho wa Taala in the hereafter make sure
that you are with us. salaam aleikum wa rahmatullah wa barakato.