Disbelief in Allah and lack of true faith
One's biggest barrier to real happiness both in this world and hereafter is the rejection of Allah's true religion (i.e Islam). Those who lack correct belief and stray from divine guidance revealed to mankind true the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) will suffer from spiritual void and deprive themselves from real salvation and mercy.
Allah says: "And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam, and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky. Thus Allah puts the wrath on those who believe not." (Q6[An'am]:125)
Sin and crime
Sins and crime are barrier to real happiness. Therefore, a criminal is always more unhappy than his victim, for a criminal who is not punished could be among the most miserable people.
Envy and Jealousy
Envy and Jealousy are source of dissatisfaction and self-torture for people. Therefore, we are advised to seek refuge from the serious effect of such kind malignant social evils. Envy and Jealousy, when translated into action, lead to the destruction of happiness and deprive people of the good things they enjoy. The prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "The disease of the people before you, namely envy and hatred, has crept to you, and it is the unhappy thing. I do not say that it shaves off the hair, but it shaves off the religion." (Tirmidhi)
Anger
Anger connotes displeasure and hostility. Therefore it is one of the biggest threats that spoils man's happiness. Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam), stressed the importance of self renstraint when he advised one of his companions: "Do not be overpowered by anger" (Bukhari)
Injustice
Injustice signifies the trespassing and going beyond limits: It also signifies the misplacement of things or denial of truth. The prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Allah may give a wrongdoing tyrant respite, and thereafter when he punishes him. He never lets him escape. (Bukhari). However, the greatest injustice is to associate patners with Allah, Allah says: Behold, Luqman said to his son by way of instruction: O my son, join not in worship (others) with Allah: for false worship is indeed the highest wrongdoing (Q3[Aal-Imran]:1:13)
Pessimism
Pessimism is synonymous with misery and trouble. It leads to a stage of inertia and depression. A pessimistic person would hold back from enjoying his normal life or achieving his objectives. A pessimist due to his defeatist tendencies, incurs several troubles and difficulties the effect of which on his nerves are far heavier than dilemmas and disaster.
Suspicion
Allah says: "O you who believe! Shun suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin" (Q49[Hujuraat]:12)
Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) also says: Shun suspicion, because suspicion is the biggest lie.(Bukhari)
How can a suspicious person be happy? And how can a society pervaded by a suspicion and a mistrust prosper or lead a collective life of happiness?
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited