Happiness in Islam

[yiostheoy]

...The OP talks about achieving 'Happiness' through Islam, insinuating that Islam is the ONLY way of succeeding. I merely stated (through a feigned question) that 'happiness' is purported to be attainable through both Christianity and Judaism as well. I wanted to know if the OP was willing to acknowledge that fact.

The O/P either has the villa and the 4 wives or else he has the fantasy of the 72 virgins.

There are only 2 ways in Islam for the mooseleems.

 

[yiostheoy]

The message hold true even for Christians and Jews. Do you agree?

The Jews are an ancient religion and culture dating back to Moses in 1450 BCE.

Theirs is a way of life which amounts to exploiting non Jews.

The Christians have a strict code of ethics and the fantasy of a Heaven in the next world if they cannot get as rich as the Jews in this life.

There is a big difference between these 3 ideologies, although as religions they are all essentially mythological and fantasy based.

 

[GLASNOST]

......... There is a big difference between these 3 ideologies, although as religions they are all essentially mythological and fantasy based.

I don't agree with your whole post, but I certainly do agree with this part of it! However, in addition to what I've high-lighted from your response, I think you missed the MOST IMPORTANT element ...... "superstition".

 

[Onyx]

If God exists, then no religion is entitled ownership over God.

Let's stop with this possessive "My God" bullshit. It isn't like any of your cults have more validity anyways.

 

[Ancient lion]

I find it exceedingly strange that the only way for theists to find "happiness" is to concede their own intellect, reason, and free will to some invisible magic skyman.

I have peace of mind, and a sense of well-being all on my own, without needing some imaginary supernatural entity to give me permission to feel that way. Now, I will admit that I'm not exactly tranquil, or "relaxed", but that's just because I am hypermanic. It's the way my brain is wired. relaxed is over-rated. I prefer to be direct, and intense. Go after life with a vengeance. That's my philosophy.

The role of human being is defined on Earth. God has made him vicegerent therein, whereby he must strive to inhabit and develop the Earth, bring about prosperity, and work for the best interests of mankind in this world. These noble objectives are surrounded by difficulties and require man to exert a lot of effort and to bear heavy burdens in order to fulfill them. Life is not always as easy and simple as we would wish it to be. Quite the contrary, it goes from being easy to being very difficult, just like a person goes from being healthy to being ill or from being poor to being rich and vice versa. Man must constantly deal with these trials throughout his life. In this way, he can realize the noblest qualities that these trials demand from him, like patience, willpower, determination, courage, reliance upon God, industry, and good morals.

These qualities are among the greatest sources of tranquility, peace of mind, and happiness. God says:

Surely, we will try you with something of fear, hunger and loss of wealth, lives, and the fruits of your labor, but give glad tidings to the patient ones; who, when afflicted with calamity say, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.’ These are the ones who will receive blessings and mercy from their Lord, and these are the ones who are rightly guided.​

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“How astonishing is the affair of the believer. All of his affairs turn out for the best. If goodness befalls him, he is thankful and this is good for him, and if ill fortune befalls him, he is patient and this is good for him.”​

 

[GLASNOST]

The O/P either has the villa and the 4 wives or else he has the fantasy of the 72 virgins..

When I found out that Allah was going to provide me with 72 virgins I was all set to convert to Islam. However, I later found out that we don't get to choose. I mean, who wants to be allotted 72 overweight virgins with rotten teeth and who can't cook anything but falafel? Why else would they still be virgins?

 

[Czernobog]

I find it exceedingly strange that the only way for theists to find "happiness" is to concede their own intellect, reason, and free will to some invisible magic skyman.

I have peace of mind, and a sense of well-being all on my own, without needing some imaginary supernatural entity to give me permission to feel that way. Now, I will admit that I'm not exactly tranquil, or "relaxed", but that's just because I am hypermanic. It's the way my brain is wired. relaxed is over-rated. I prefer to be direct, and intense. Go after life with a vengeance. That's my philosophy.

The role of human being is defined on Earth. God has made him vicegerent therein, whereby he must strive to inhabit and develop the Earth, bring about prosperity, and work for the best interests of mankind in this world. These noble objectives are surrounded by difficulties and require man to exert a lot of effort and to bear heavy burdens in order to fulfill them. Life is not always as easy and simple as we would wish it to be. Quite the contrary, it goes from being easy to being very difficult, just like a person goes from being healthy to being ill or from being poor to being rich and vice versa. Man must constantly deal with these trials throughout his life. In this way, he can realize the noblest qualities that these trials demand from him, like patience, willpower, determination, courage, reliance upon God, industry, and good morals.

These qualities are among the greatest sources of tranquility, peace of mind, and happiness. God says:

Surely, we will try you with something of fear, hunger and loss of wealth, lives, and the fruits of your labor, but give glad tidings to the patient ones; who, when afflicted with calamity say, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.’ These are the ones who will receive blessings and mercy from their Lord, and these are the ones who are rightly guided.​

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“How astonishing is the affair of the believer. All of his affairs turn out for the best. If goodness befalls him, he is thankful and this is good for him, and if ill fortune befalls him, he is patient and this is good for him.”​

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

 

[ding]

I find it exceedingly strange that the only way for theists to find "happiness" is to concede their own intellect, reason, and free will to some invisible magic skyman.

I have peace of mind, and a sense of well-being all on my own, without needing some imaginary supernatural entity to give me permission to feel that way. Now, I will admit that I'm not exactly tranquil, or "relaxed", but that's just because I am hypermanic. It's the way my brain is wired. relaxed is over-rated. I prefer to be direct, and intense. Go after life with a vengeance. That's my philosophy.

The role of human being is defined on Earth. God has made him vicegerent therein, whereby he must strive to inhabit and develop the Earth, bring about prosperity, and work for the best interests of mankind in this world. These noble objectives are surrounded by difficulties and require man to exert a lot of effort and to bear heavy burdens in order to fulfill them. Life is not always as easy and simple as we would wish it to be. Quite the contrary, it goes from being easy to being very difficult, just like a person goes from being healthy to being ill or from being poor to being rich and vice versa. Man must constantly deal with these trials throughout his life. In this way, he can realize the noblest qualities that these trials demand from him, like patience, willpower, determination, courage, reliance upon God, industry, and good morals.

These qualities are among the greatest sources of tranquility, peace of mind, and happiness. God says:

Surely, we will try you with something of fear, hunger and loss of wealth, lives, and the fruits of your labor, but give glad tidings to the patient ones; who, when afflicted with calamity say, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.’ These are the ones who will receive blessings and mercy from their Lord, and these are the ones who are rightly guided.​

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“How astonishing is the affair of the believer. All of his affairs turn out for the best. If goodness befalls him, he is thankful and this is good for him, and if ill fortune befalls him, he is patient and this is good for him.”​

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

By your logic the basis for all scientific investigation is meaningless too.

 

[Czernobog]

I find it exceedingly strange that the only way for theists to find "happiness" is to concede their own intellect, reason, and free will to some invisible magic skyman.

I have peace of mind, and a sense of well-being all on my own, without needing some imaginary supernatural entity to give me permission to feel that way. Now, I will admit that I'm not exactly tranquil, or "relaxed", but that's just because I am hypermanic. It's the way my brain is wired. relaxed is over-rated. I prefer to be direct, and intense. Go after life with a vengeance. That's my philosophy.

The role of human being is defined on Earth. God has made him vicegerent therein, whereby he must strive to inhabit and develop the Earth, bring about prosperity, and work for the best interests of mankind in this world. These noble objectives are surrounded by difficulties and require man to exert a lot of effort and to bear heavy burdens in order to fulfill them. Life is not always as easy and simple as we would wish it to be. Quite the contrary, it goes from being easy to being very difficult, just like a person goes from being healthy to being ill or from being poor to being rich and vice versa. Man must constantly deal with these trials throughout his life. In this way, he can realize the noblest qualities that these trials demand from him, like patience, willpower, determination, courage, reliance upon God, industry, and good morals.

These qualities are among the greatest sources of tranquility, peace of mind, and happiness. God says:

Surely, we will try you with something of fear, hunger and loss of wealth, lives, and the fruits of your labor, but give glad tidings to the patient ones; who, when afflicted with calamity say, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.’ These are the ones who will receive blessings and mercy from their Lord, and these are the ones who are rightly guided.​

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“How astonishing is the affair of the believer. All of his affairs turn out for the best. If goodness befalls him, he is thankful and this is good for him, and if ill fortune befalls him, he is patient and this is good for him.”​

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

By your logic the basis for all scientific investigation is meaningless too.

No it's not. God has nothing to do with scientific research, and investigation. By the way, here is that proof you were asking about of me opposing Islam just as much as I oppose Christianity. You both worship the same magic skyman, although you would both deny that emphatically.

 

[ding]

I find it exceedingly strange that the only way for theists to find "happiness" is to concede their own intellect, reason, and free will to some invisible magic skyman.

I have peace of mind, and a sense of well-being all on my own, without needing some imaginary supernatural entity to give me permission to feel that way. Now, I will admit that I'm not exactly tranquil, or "relaxed", but that's just because I am hypermanic. It's the way my brain is wired. relaxed is over-rated. I prefer to be direct, and intense. Go after life with a vengeance. That's my philosophy.

The role of human being is defined on Earth. God has made him vicegerent therein, whereby he must strive to inhabit and develop the Earth, bring about prosperity, and work for the best interests of mankind in this world. These noble objectives are surrounded by difficulties and require man to exert a lot of effort and to bear heavy burdens in order to fulfill them. Life is not always as easy and simple as we would wish it to be. Quite the contrary, it goes from being easy to being very difficult, just like a person goes from being healthy to being ill or from being poor to being rich and vice versa. Man must constantly deal with these trials throughout his life. In this way, he can realize the noblest qualities that these trials demand from him, like patience, willpower, determination, courage, reliance upon God, industry, and good morals.

These qualities are among the greatest sources of tranquility, peace of mind, and happiness. God says:

Surely, we will try you with something of fear, hunger and loss of wealth, lives, and the fruits of your labor, but give glad tidings to the patient ones; who, when afflicted with calamity say, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.’ These are the ones who will receive blessings and mercy from their Lord, and these are the ones who are rightly guided.​

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“How astonishing is the affair of the believer. All of his affairs turn out for the best. If goodness befalls him, he is thankful and this is good for him, and if ill fortune befalls him, he is patient and this is good for him.”​

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

By your logic the basis for all scientific investigation is meaningless too.

No it's not. God has nothing to do with scientific research, and investigation. By the way, here is that proof you were asking about of me opposing Islam just as much as I oppose Christianity. You both worship the same magic skyman, although you would both deny that emphatically.

The basis for scientific analysis is observation and hypothesis. What is a hypothesis if it is not an assumption based on observation. In science one assumes a condition and then tests that condition and through observation, then confirms or denies the hypothesis (i.e. the assumption).

 

[Czernobog]

I find it exceedingly strange that the only way for theists to find "happiness" is to concede their own intellect, reason, and free will to some invisible magic skyman.

I have peace of mind, and a sense of well-being all on my own, without needing some imaginary supernatural entity to give me permission to feel that way. Now, I will admit that I'm not exactly tranquil, or "relaxed", but that's just because I am hypermanic. It's the way my brain is wired. relaxed is over-rated. I prefer to be direct, and intense. Go after life with a vengeance. That's my philosophy.

The role of human being is defined on Earth. God has made him vicegerent therein, whereby he must strive to inhabit and develop the Earth, bring about prosperity, and work for the best interests of mankind in this world. These noble objectives are surrounded by difficulties and require man to exert a lot of effort and to bear heavy burdens in order to fulfill them. Life is not always as easy and simple as we would wish it to be. Quite the contrary, it goes from being easy to being very difficult, just like a person goes from being healthy to being ill or from being poor to being rich and vice versa. Man must constantly deal with these trials throughout his life. In this way, he can realize the noblest qualities that these trials demand from him, like patience, willpower, determination, courage, reliance upon God, industry, and good morals.

These qualities are among the greatest sources of tranquility, peace of mind, and happiness. God says:

Surely, we will try you with something of fear, hunger and loss of wealth, lives, and the fruits of your labor, but give glad tidings to the patient ones; who, when afflicted with calamity say, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.’ These are the ones who will receive blessings and mercy from their Lord, and these are the ones who are rightly guided.​

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“How astonishing is the affair of the believer. All of his affairs turn out for the best. If goodness befalls him, he is thankful and this is good for him, and if ill fortune befalls him, he is patient and this is good for him.”​

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

By your logic the basis for all scientific investigation is meaningless too.

No it's not. God has nothing to do with scientific research, and investigation. By the way, here is that proof you were asking about of me opposing Islam just as much as I oppose Christianity. You both worship the same magic skyman, although you would both deny that emphatically.

The basis for scientific analysis is observation and hypothesis. What is a hypothesis if it is not an assumption based on observation. In science one assumes a condition and then tests that condition and through observation which then is used as a basis to confirms or denies the hypothesis (i.e. the assumption).

The problem is that religion assumes a position for which there is no way to test objectively. What objective test is there for the existence of your invisible magic skyman?

 

[ding]

The role of human being is defined on Earth. God has made him vicegerent therein, whereby he must strive to inhabit and develop the Earth, bring about prosperity, and work for the best interests of mankind in this world. These noble objectives are surrounded by difficulties and require man to exert a lot of effort and to bear heavy burdens in order to fulfill them. Life is not always as easy and simple as we would wish it to be. Quite the contrary, it goes from being easy to being very difficult, just like a person goes from being healthy to being ill or from being poor to being rich and vice versa. Man must constantly deal with these trials throughout his life. In this way, he can realize the noblest qualities that these trials demand from him, like patience, willpower, determination, courage, reliance upon God, industry, and good morals.

These qualities are among the greatest sources of tranquility, peace of mind, and happiness. God says:

Surely, we will try you with something of fear, hunger and loss of wealth, lives, and the fruits of your labor, but give glad tidings to the patient ones; who, when afflicted with calamity say, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.’ These are the ones who will receive blessings and mercy from their Lord, and these are the ones who are rightly guided.​

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“How astonishing is the affair of the believer. All of his affairs turn out for the best. If goodness befalls him, he is thankful and this is good for him, and if ill fortune befalls him, he is patient and this is good for him.”​

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

By your logic the basis for all scientific investigation is meaningless too.

No it's not. God has nothing to do with scientific research, and investigation. By the way, here is that proof you were asking about of me opposing Islam just as much as I oppose Christianity. You both worship the same magic skyman, although you would both deny that emphatically.

The basis for scientific analysis is observation and hypothesis. What is a hypothesis if it is not an assumption based on observation. In science one assumes a condition and then tests that condition and through observation which then is used as a basis to confirms or denies the hypothesis (i.e. the assumption).

The problem is that religion assumes a position for which there is no way to test objectively. What objective test is there for the existence of your invisible magic skyman?

Don't be silly. Of course we can test it. You just have never tried.

Do you really believe that if there is Creator, He would not leave a way for us to figure out the difference between right and wrong? Virtue is the greatest organizing principle. When people behave virtuously, predictable success will NATURALLY follow. When people behave without virtue, predictable failures will NATURALLY occur. This is nature accepting or rejecting us.

Man is born with the ability to know right from wrong and when he violates it, rather than abandoning the concept, he rationalizes that he did not violate it. Men don't do evil for evil's sake, they do evil for the sake of their own good. So from this we can know that man prefers good over evil.

So getting back to the concept of nature rejecting us, how can we know if we are truly doing good or doing evil and rationalizing that we are doing good? The answer is simple... outcomes. Moral laws are not like physical laws. When you violate a physical law, the consequence is immediate. Not so for moral laws. The consequence of violating a moral law is not usually immediate, but since error cannot stand it will eventually fail. And when it does, if we are honest and paying attention we will come to know the error of our way and repent (i.e. transform). Thus evolving our consciousness (i.e. growing as human beings) and continuing our march towards the next leap in the evolution of matter.

We can test the assumption that God exists and is good by embracing His Spirit and worshiping Him in Spirit and Truth by dying to self and observing what happens when we do so. Only then will one see how everything is connected.

 

[GLASNOST]

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

By your logic the basis for all scientific investigation is meaningless too.

You are not making any sense, or perhaps you have none "to make".

 

[ding]

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

By your logic the basis for all scientific investigation is meaningless too.

You are not making any sense, or perhaps you have none "to make".

The basis for scientific analysis is observation and hypothesis. What is a hypothesis if it is not an assumption based on observation. In science one assumes a condition and then tests that condition and through observation, then confirms or denies the hypothesis (i.e. the assumption).

 

[GLASNOST]

The basis for scientific analysis is observation and hypothesis. What is a hypothesis if it is not an assumption based on observation. In science one assumes a condition and then tests that condition and through observation, then confirms or denies the hypothesis (i.e. the assumption).

Yes. This is exactly why I criticized your statement, a statement that insinuates that the unbiased study of the origins of life (allowing for "confirmation or denial" as you've rightly pointed out) is no more worthy of endevour than striving to give credibility (bias) to superstitious preconceptions.

 

[ding]

The basis for scientific analysis is observation and hypothesis. What is a hypothesis if it is not an assumption based on observation. In science one assumes a condition and then tests that condition and through observation, then confirms or denies the hypothesis (i.e. the assumption).

Yes. This is exactly why I criticized your statement, a statement that insinuates that the unbiased study of the origins of life (allowing for "confirmation or denial" as you've rightly pointed out) is no more worthy of endevour than striving to give credibility (bias) to superstitious preconceptions.

As long as human beings are involved it is impossible to remove human bias unless one is objective. So even science is not necessarily immune from bias.

 

[Ancient lion]

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

For the universe to exist, there must be a creator..common sense..
Faith gives a person an ideal to strive for. His life is invested with a higher meaning that inspires him to work and expend his efforts in order to realize it. This keeps him away from living a narrow, selfish life. He instead lives his life for the good of others in the society in which he lives. A person who lives only for himself finds his days shortened and his goals constrained. When he, instead, lives for the ideal that inspires him, his life appears long and beautiful, beginning with the dawn of humanity and continuing long after he leaves the Earth. This enhances his perception of the moments, hours, and days of his life.

 

[Czernobog]

This is only true, if you first concede the presumption that "God" even exists. Without that presumption, your "purpose" for human beings is meaningless.

For the universe to exist, there must be a creator..common sense..
Faith gives a person an ideal to strive for. His life is invested with a higher meaning that inspires him to work and expend his efforts in order to realize it. This keeps him away from living a narrow, selfish life. He instead lives his life for the good of others in the society in which he lives. A person who lives only for himself finds his days shortened and his goals constrained. When he, instead, lives for the ideal that inspires him, his life appears long and beautiful, beginning with the dawn of humanity and continuing long after he leaves the Earth. This enhances his perception of the moments, hours, and days of his life.

There is no common sense to that claim at all, which is why it relies on "faith". Gravity exists. That is common sense. No faith required. Entropy occurs. Common sense. No faith required. See, faith is only required when there is no evidence. I choose to rely on evidence and objective fact, not faith, and superstition.

 

[GLASNOST]

As long as human beings are involved it is impossible to remove human bias unless one is objective. So even science is not necessarily immune from bias.

Why not just admit it. You have nothing to contribute to this subject.

 

[Ancient lion]

There is no common sense to that claim at all, which is why it relies on "faith". Gravity exists. That is common sense. No faith required. Entropy occurs. Common sense. No faith required. See, faith is only required when there is no evidence. I choose to rely on evidence and objective fact, not faith, and superstition.

The evidence is overwhelming...