Uumpress The Meaning of Happiness and Its Experience in Islam

The Meaning of Happiness and Its Experience in Islam

Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas

Translator: Muhammad Zainiy Uthman, 2014

ISBN978-967-0149-48-6, 64 pp., 

Publisher: Islamic Banking & Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM)

This monograph talks about the understanding of happiness in Islam derived from the meaning of the term sa‘ādah. According to the author, understanding happiness can be achieved by first understanding the opposite of sa‘ādah which is shaqāwah (accident) which the author proves this shaqāwah has already been embedded in what is called ‘Tragedy’ in the Western literary tradition.

In contrast to tragedy, the meaning of happiness in Islam is based on faith, pious deeds, well -being, and conviction to the Righteous. The author also explains that the true meaning of freedom should be based on the understanding of ikhtiyār derived from the word khayr which means 'goodness' which means good choice, as opposed to free choice driven by ignorance and lust that leads to nature. -the nature of mazmumah which stems from animal power.

This book allows readers translated to Malay enjoyed discussions mawḍū'at 'very important. Much of the book's content was presented by the author in a symposium on The State of Happiness organized by the International Institute for Advanced Studies based in Kyoto, Japan on March 29-31, 1993.