Am I (the author) deliriously happy?

This post is part of an article on Islam and the Happiness Revolution, the contents page for which is here:  http://islamandthehappinessrevolution.blogspot.com/p/contents.html

No, is the answer to the title of this blog. No, I am not deliriously happy. I hope that first sentence doesn't put you off reading my blog!

I constantly risk my happiness for the sake of others, by giving time to others when I'm tired, I suffer because I feel other's pain and generally keep my self very busy, day and night, trying to help people.

I suppose a good way explain how I feel is similar to the response I read from an article about the recent Turkish earthquake. A person who saved a two week year old from the rubble of the earthquake said something like "even if you gave me piles of money you could not make me more happy." I suppose there are two types of happiness: the crazy wild drunken type or the deep and more beautiful type.

I'm not deliriously happy but I am happy. I couldn't live my life any other way. There are times when I am very happy. Those are times when my struggles to achieve something good finally come through. Mostly I have a sense of peace and I have no worries really (although most people in precarious sitution, might well be). Other times, I can be sad. Often due to my spiritual weakness, though these become lessons from which I find greater freedom yet gives me a greater understanding of other people's sadness.

It may seem strange to some people that I write a blog on happiness yet do not say that I am super happy. The simple answer I can give to that is it does not bother me so much that I am not drunk with joy. What matters to me simply is that I can see, very clearly, that the world is in desperate need for the solutions and beauty of Islam, to develop the a connection with God, who's light is a like a glittering star, and I will offer it.

What's special about this article

This post is part of an article on Islam and the Happiness Revolution, the contents page for which is here:  http://islamandthehappinessrevolution.blogspot.com/p/contents.html

This article, on happiness, is different because it is closer to the source of all truth, that is God. I write this article as a follower of the Spritual Guide of this age, promised by all the great religions of the world. More about the Spiritual Guide (his main titles being Spiritul Reformer/Promised Messiah) here: http://www.alislam.org/topics/messiah/index.php

Because of my connection with the Promised Messiah, after reading his writings and that of his successors, I am able to express far greater logic and truths than other people, that will resonate, even shudder, honest souls.

If you have love for humanity and the creatures of the world, who are suffering because of our actions and their own, because of which you are looking for the "truth" that will give us long lasting solutions to these problems, then you will find it here.

I pray that these claims are not empty boasts but the truth.

The Happiness Revolution!

My main, most comprehensive article on happiness, will be made of lots of posts, the contents page for which are here:

http://islamandthehappinessrevolution.blogspot.com/p/contents.html

or just click the "Contents to my main article on happiness" on the top of this blog.

Life of Muhammad Chp 7 - Emigration to Abyssinia

I only put these videos so that God may want to pour so much love into the hearts of anyone watching this that they may see Islam will change all our lives.

Life of Muhammad Chp 3 - The Prophet Recieves his first Revelation

A story of incredible love and hope for a better world.

If you watch the videos for entire book (Life of Muhammad, free to download here) you will know the spirit of Islam. It takes a few chapter to really get into, well it did for me, but after that I didn't want to put the book down. It has since been the basis of my entire life.

Homosexuality - love for all, hatred for none

One the many common misunderstandings about Islam is that Islam teaches people to hate people who are homosexual - not true. Islam is a message of love. God is loving.

I have found many people who are homosexual/bisexual to be interested in Islam and I would never want to get in their way in learning more about it. I write this short article to not only encourage gay/lesbians to look into Islam but also to create an awareness amongst Muslims who may have harboured hate for anyone who is homosexual, that hate for anyone is against the spirit of Islam.

Islam does discourage homosexuality. Every guidance offered by Islam, which is based on the deepest understanding of human psychology and physiology, is for you own happiness. Which means, although it may not seem so at first, my friends who are lesbian/gay, homosexual behaviour is not inductive to your happiness (sorry for using the word "inductive", I don't normally talk/write is such a posh/formal way... just a bit late and it's the first word that comes to my head). Islam works on a principle that guides people towards tendencies that are healthy, make you happy and develop your spirituality. Homosexual relationships tend be transient, not always, but often, and so bad for mental health. Just like drinking alcohol, can be good for you, but, by in large, is not. Sexually transmitted diseases like AIDs are prevalent in homosexual relationships, nature's way of saying such behaviour is not healthy. It may not be good for children to be raised by two mums or dads, because nature requires a child to be born through heterosexual sex, meaning that involvement from both sexes are necessary for good mental health.

I would also like to Islam does not deny that homosexual feelings occur, in fact, it suggests they can be developed if, especially in an age when you are going through puberty, when your mind and feelings are being developed, if you often look at the genitals of a person of the same sex, explore sexual parts or have a sexual experience with a person of the same sex, you can be inclined to homosexuality.

Finally, I quickly want to mention that if animals have been shown to be homosexual, that doesnt prove that it is good for animals or humans to do it. Animals can be put in situations, either by diet, the nature of their captivity or posssibly some other circumstances, where they indulge in homosexual behaviour.

Actually, finally, I write none of this to be horrible to anyone who is homosexual. Just because we don't agree on a point, doesn't we can't be friends. I think in the West, many people don't have good, deep and challenging conversations because they are so worried that people will not like them if they say something disagreeable. 

THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

The Creator of the world is One. None else is worthy of worship. The Prophets have ever believed Him to be One, and taught their followers so.

Leave good works behind that they may grow and bear fruit after you are gone. There is virtue in giving to thers, not in receiving from them. Learn to surrender that you may be nearer to your God. Practise self-denial for the sake of your fellow-people, that you may multiply your credit with God.

This is the message of Islam. It is a message of love.

I write this blog in the hope that somebody may benefit from them, that they may see how Islam can change their lives, that of their family, their community and our world. I wish it so much.

Life of Muhammad, Chp 2 - Marriage with Khadija.

A story that has changed more lives than any other. Not just inspirational like many Hollywood movies.

Above is a video for chapter 2 (I missed out chapter 1 by purpose, it's better read after you've read the entire story) from Life of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam and the greatest guide for humanity.

I will be posting a video for each chapter of Life of Muhammad every Monday and Friday.

You can download the entire book for free here:

http://www.alislam.org/library/books/Life-of-Muhammad.pdf

Obesity solution

Above: Evening Standard front page, 13/10/11. Obesity is an increasingly worrying problem in England and earlier articles in the Evening Standard have reported that the NHS will fall apart within five years solely because of weight of this issue. 

Islam has the solutions to all the worlds problems. And they're easy solutions. As Muslims, we have been trying to explain the benefits of Islamic life for a long time but people only listen when a crisis overcomes them, and even then, few listen. There are many more crises approaching the western world, whatever crises you think the West is suffering from is nothing compared to what is to come. This article isn't about scaring people but an article written in hope that enough people, who have a sense of social responsibility, might be able to save their country. 

Before I list the simple solutions to our obesity problems, I want to make it clear the issue we are facing is only symptom of great unhappiness within society, just as much as the drug problem is. So this article is not just about get people thin but solving are far wider problem. 

So here are the solutions:

Drink water before eating. We tend not to eat of hunger but boredom, stress or otherwise to engage our minds. Drinking water reduces that need. 

Fill your self with one third water, one third food and leave the remaining third empty. Muahmmad, the Prophet of Islam, peace be upon him, taught that this is necessary to let the spirit breath. Some may find this easy to understand, but for those not accustomed to concentrating on what makes them happy and what does not, you should realise that eating too much makes you feel dull, drowns your spirit, looses your connection to a deep sense of happiness and.... that will do for now. 

As I mentioned before, there is a deeper issue here and that is people are not happy. They are overeating to fill a void in their lives. The main issue is that people are trying to find happiness through material needs. They  will never find happiness that way. The stress in trying to achieve happiness through materialism itself pushes you into eating too much. Islam offers happiness in all its facets, from community life, fun things to do, giving you purpose and showing you true happiness by shining light on a real spiritual path. 

Continuing with my list, the final thing I would like to suggest is that it is also good to fast for a month, once a year. It takes a month to reset habits, in particular our binging habits, gives our bodies a chance to detox and even improves our taste buds so that we stop enjoying junk food so much. By fasting, I mean not eating or drinking from morning to evening (for countries near the north pole, for example, where sunset may only come after a few months, they should fast for 12 hours). 

Fasting may sound difficult, but it is very easy, even enjoyable, if you do as part of a community. This one of the many benefits of being part of the great and international Muslim family. Of course, this Muslim brotherhood and sisterhood is not exclusive, feel free not to be Muslim and fast with Muslims if you find it useful. Muslims will begin fasting in the morning as a family and often break their fast with the whole community, young and old, at the mosque. As you can imagine, loosing weight this way can be quite enjoyable!

Proof that God exists

"Forget everything you know, even Islam, so that you may drop your baggage and free your hands to pick up light" Promised Reformer of this Age, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

The arguments put forward against the existence of God have always been ridiculous, closer to tricks played by magicians who rely on the art of misdirection to fool their audience. Firstly, you're told that God does not create us but instead it is evolution. And of course, evolution does all its work by a system of "survival of the fittest." Evolution is certainly a reality, don't get me wrong. But by the time you've heard this story, you would have lost sight of reality. Normally you wouldn't believe things like your dining table or your computer were created by  coincidence, natural forces or evolution. The reality is that you have been tricked into looking into one tiny corner of possibilities, that evolution works blindly, busy creating by accident and that it is possible that there is no great Creator who is responsible for evolution and every other system of nature.

The reality is though, that this trick is ridiculous and people don't believe in God because they don't like religion, considering it a shackle on their freedom. Just for the record, Islam teaches that you are free to do what you wish, it is only for your benefit that you follow guidance given within Islam. If God wanted to control you, that would have been easy.

If you are open to the possibility that God exists, then please read this:

http://www.alislam.org/library/books/revelation/part_5_section_12.html

Salat - Jedi training begins here

 

For non Star Wars fans: the Star Wars films are loosely based on the story of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him). The first of the films "A New Hope" begins with a man (Luke Skywalker) who lives in a solitary desert village engulfed in corruption and evil. Luke becomes the unlikely leader of the revolutionaries who not only overthrow the dark forces in the desert but the whole universe. This story has many parallels with the story of Prophet Muhammad, also a quiet individual brought up within a corrupt desert village, destined to bring the light of God to the whole universe. Other links to Islam include the use of Muslim clothing from Morocco, called the Djellaba, worn by the Jedi. 

The principles of the Jedi, selflessness, mindless happiness, being at one with the Force and courage, are fairly well known. These are all Islamic principles of life, the Force as understood by Muslims is, of course, the Ever living, Pervading, Creator, Maintainer of the Universe and Lord of All the Worlds - Allah (meaning the one and perfectly beautiful creator). 

I will list the principles and attitude with which the Jedi live below, but if I did not explain how they find their strength, there would not be much point. Of course, the Jedi, as in the films are fictional. Muslims, however, are real and this is what they rely on:

The Salat. It is a practice that Muslims begin their day with, end it and during the busy hours in the middle. On the surface, it is known as the Muslim form of worship.

The details of the actions, words and intent to which can be understood through these lessons:

http://www.khuddam.org.uk/departments/taleem/lets-learn-salaat/lessons/

In short, the Salat focusses the mind, by connecting mind, body and soul, so that it becomes aware of our umbilical connection to the creator of the universe, that in fact, allows us to be at one with the whole universe. Without it, we are blind to our true, fulfilling purpose. 

The Salat is based on human nature which the Creator understands best. It requires us to stand or prostrate in various position, each with their specific words, encouraging a reaction from our spirit and so waking it up.  In this heightened state of awareness, the soul becomes aware of the power of Allah and is encouraged by Allah to use that power for good. 

I think that'll do for now. Any further questions, please ask. Here are those principles that Muslim/Jedi live by: 

1. As Jedi, we are in touch with the Living Force flowing through and around us, as well as being spiritually aware of the Force. Jedi are trained to become sensitive to the Force's energy, fluctuations, and disturbances.

2. Jedi live and focus on the present; we must neither dwell on the past nor be overly concerned about the future. As the mind wanders, focusing on the present is a task not easily attained, for the mind is not content with the eternal present moment. As Jedi, we must release our stress and ease our minds.

3. Jedi must maintain a clear mind; this is achieved through meditation and contemplation. Our minds can become cluttered and infected by forces and attitudes that we encounter every day, and must be purged of these unnecessary elements on a daily basis.

4. As Jedi, we are mindful of our thoughts... we focus our thoughts on the positive. The positive energy of the force is healthy for the mind, body and spirit.

5. As Jedi, we trust and use our feelings. We are intuitive, more so than others and with this heightened intuition we become more spiritually evolved as our minds become more harmonious with the Force and its influences.

6. Jedi are patient. Patience is elusive but can be consciously developed over time.

7. Jedi are mindful of the negative emotions which lead to the Dark Side: Anger, Fear, Aggression, and Hate. If we sense these emotions manifesting within ourselves, we must meditate on the Jedi Code and focus on purging these destructive emotions.

8. Jedi understand that physical training is as important as training the mind and the spirit. We understand that all aspects of training are necessary to maintain the Jedi way of life and to perform the duties of a Jedi.

9. Jedi protect the peace. We are warriors of peace, and are not ones to use force to resolve a conflict; it is through peace, understanding and harmony that conflicts resolve.

10. Jedi believe in destiny and trust in the will of the Living Force. We accept the fact that what seems to be random events are not random at all, but the design of the Living Force of Creation. Each living creature has a purpose, understanding that purpose comes with a deep awareness of the Force. Even things that happen which seem negative have a purpose, though that purpose is not easy to see.

11. Jedi must let go of obsessive attachment, both material and personal. The obsession over possessions creates the fear of loosing those possessions, which can lead to the Dark Side.

12. Jedi believe in eternal life. We do not become obsessed in mourning those who pass. Grieve as you will but take heart, for the soul and spirit continue in the netherworld of the Living Force.

13. Jedi use the Force only when it is necessary. We do not apply our abilities or powers to boast or be prideful. We use the Force for knowledge, and exercise wisdom and humility in doing so, for humility is a trait all Jedi must embody.

14. We as Jedi believe that love and compassion are central to our lives. We must love each other as we love ourselves; by doing this, we envelope all life in the positive energy of the Force.

15. Jedi are guardians of peace and justice. We believe in finding peaceful solutions to problems, gifted as we are we remain negotiators of the utmost ability. We never negotiate out of fear, but never fear to negotiate. We embrace justice, protecting and preserving the fundamental rights of all living creatures. Empathy and compassion are vital to us; it allows us to comprehend the wounds caused by injustice.

16. We as Jedi make a commitment to, and are loyal to the Jedi cause. The ideals, philosophies, and practices of the Jedi define the belief of Jediism, and we take action on this path for self-improvement, and to help others. We are both the witnesses and protectors of the Jedi way by the practice of our Faith.

What can Islam do for me?

Islam helps makes life easier,

more peaceful and more exciting and at the end will make this world a very happy place to live.

Love.

Something you cannot live without. Islam teaches the secrets of love. Visit one of our mosques and you will see everyone living as if they were one big family.

Health.

Islam not only gives you mental satisfaction so you don’t binge drink, smoke, take drugs or over eat, it also has really good tips for staying healthy:Drink before you eat, it will stop you from eating too much.
Don’t drink afterwards though; it reduces the acids that help you digest.

Answers.

There is no question that cannot be answered, fully, logically and to your heart’s content.

Fun.

As an Ahmadi Muslim, you will be friends with a lot of people. Your interests will grow and the community will give you opportunities to make TV programs, organise sports events, work across the world, write magazines, or whatever you want. You will become more creative, dream up new plans and be excited about making them come true.

Money.

The best things in life really are for free: love, wisdom, purpose and friends. Even the most fun things to do, rarely cost much. You will quickly find that you do not need alcohol to have a good time. Your living costs will go down since you will need less material things to keep you happy.

Saving the world.

Islam could have saved us from the economic disaster we are in, and worse is yet to come.Individuals, throughout the world are becoming less and less happy, due to lack of purpose and spirituality. This is effecting families, societies and the world. With corruption widespread, worldwide change is necessary. Islam is the only solution to the world's problems.

How to live before you die

Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, who's creations include the Apple Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad - a role model for me?

His message was that we should dream, don't live by other's boundaries, take risks, be courageous and "stay hungry, stay foolish."

Nobody is saying he is perfect. He was an inspiration. He was true to his dreams till the end. We can all learn a lot from him, if only we kept our dreams alive and actually acted on them.

But, funny thing is, for everything he stood for, his inventions are being blamed for turning us into zoned out zombies. The iPod and iPad are perpetuating the epidemic of disconnectedness racing through the Western world. Of course, everything, from nuclear power to food, can be used for good or bad (food can make you obese, where today 1.5 billion are dying as a result of eating too much while1 billion are starving).

I still believe Steve Jobs could have found a better dream. Not a dream of a world where we could enjoy better interactions with machines, but with people. Chances are, with this alternative vision, he probably wouldn't be as well known. Lying on his deathbed, I'm not sure it mattered to him how many people new him. My vision: that I might light individuals, little candles of inspiration, all over the world, that will in turn, light up the entire world so that we can finally see the beautiful spirit that connects us all.

The revival of Islam - Ahmadiyyat

What is Islam Ahmadiyyat? What has Ahmadiyyat done for you? How do you know Ahmadiyyat is the truth? Questions endeavoured by Ahmadis, new converts and those who have not yet joined.

What is Islam?

Islam is a beautiful way of life.

It teaches us how the world can live as one family of brothers and sisters (irrespective of religion etc).
Islam is based on nature, by following it you will find peace within yourself, with people around you and the environment. In turn, your true spiritual nature will be set free.
Islam is a logical religion that is very simple to understand. It is an extremely exciting, creative and liberating force which responds to the call of every individual’s desires.
Above all, through Islam, you will see God guiding you like never before.

Who are the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community?

The community is reviving true Islam.

It teaches that God responds to people who try to talk to Him and is uniting the world into one family, already spread across 193 countries.

The community was founded by his Holiness Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a Prophet of God and the Promised Reformer of this age – promised by all major faiths of the world.
He said: “God desires to found a community of the faithful to manifest His Glory and Power. He will make the Community grow and prosper, to establish the love of God, righteousness, purity, piety, peace and goodwill among people.”

Children of the World, Unite!

Happiness Revolution

The secret: Love for all, hatred for none.

Don't make little excuses to hate people.
Make excuses to love people, it will only open your eyes.You will only find happiness when you try to find it for others.
Don't chase material things, otherwise happiness will run from you.
Find peace, for contentment is an everlasting treasure.
Kids, my little brothers and sisters, I believe in you.
You find it easier to except truth wherever it comes from.
You might not have seen what the world can be. There is a dream we are all born with, don't let it disappear.
Heroes are made from just doing the right thing, over and over again.
What will you do?

How to find happiness, in short

The biggest mistake we have made here in the West is to ignore that we are spiritual beings. We don't just need food and sleep and stuff we can buy.

Looking at the evidence, we seem need to be "at one with the universe" and other people. It is that connection that psychologists say is crucial to our happiness. When we simply gaze at nature we seem to find peace, which is a clue to what we really need in life.

So, in short, just remember God, the source of all beauty. Nothing else will give you peace of mind.

I will put a new post on how Islam has the best, most simple and practical answers to all our problems, every day.

I would  also be happy to answer any questions you have, or maybe requests for articles... I am here to be of service.. as the Quran (Holy scripture for Muslim and the rest of humanity) says, Muslims have been raised for the good of humanity.