Charity: trait of the believers

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

Research in psychology shows that giving to charity makes us happier. Charity is mentioned very early in the Quran as one of the traits of the believers. God encourages charities for the growth and purification of our souls. Charity we give is to please God, and for the benefit of our own souls (Quran 2:261, 2:272).

The Best Investment

[Quran 2:261] The example of those who spend their monies in the cause of GOD is that of a grain that produces seven spikes, with a hundred grains in each spike. GOD multiplies this manifold for whomever He wills. GOD is Bounteous, Knower.

Investments in this world do not return a yield of over 700 times and more (equivalent to 70,000%). That’s what God promises us in 2:261. All praise be to God. Our worship, our prayers and our charities are only for the sake of God.

[Quran 76:8-9] They donate their favorite food to the poor, the orphan, and the captive. "We feed you for the sake of GOD; we expect no reward from you, nor thanks.

 

References:

• Charities of the Believer

Peace.

Happiness: Live a God-centric life to find it

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

Everyone is looking for happiness. But most look for happiness in the wrong places, such as the materials of this world.

Happiness comes from God, and is a quality of the soul, not the body. A successful person in this life, may have all the cars, houses, fame, and riches that can be imagined, but will still be unhappy if they don’t have God in their lives.

Worldly Materials Are Nil

[Quran 9:85] Do not be impressed by their money or their children; GOD causes these to be sources of misery for them in this world, and their souls depart as disbelievers.

[Quran 92:5-7] As for him who gives to charity and maintains righteousness. And upholds the scripture. We will direct him towards happiness.
[Quran 92:8-11] But he who is stingy, though he is rich. And disbelieves in the scripture. We will direct him towards misery. His money cannot help him when he falls.

[Quran 10:62] Absolutely, GOD's allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
[10:63] They are those who believe and lead a righteous life.
[10:64] For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is GOD's unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph.
*10:62-64 Most people think that they have to wait until the Day of Resurrection before they receive their rewards for righteousness, or the retribution for wickedness. But the Quran repeatedly assures the believers that they are guaranteed perfect happiness here in this world, now and forever. At the end of their interim here, they go directly to Paradise (see Appendix 17).

The secret of happiness is in a well-developed and nourished soul. To be happy, we have to make a choice to be with God whole-heartedly, and nourish our souls through righteousness.

[Quran 20:130] Therefore, be patient in the face of their utterances, and praise and glorify your Lord before sunrise and before sunset. And during the night glorify Him, as well as at both ends of the day, that you may be happy.

Guaranteed Happiness Now and Forever
[Quran 16:97] Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense (on the Day of Judgment) for their righteous works.

[Psalms 1:1-2] Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Reference: Living a Godcentric life for Happiness

Peace.

Heaven and Hell

A key understanding in Quran is that the absence of God is Hell (19:71-72). Heaven, by contrast, is defined by our closeness to God.

Everyone Sees Hell*

[Quran 19:71] Every single one of you must see it; this is an irrevocable decision of your Lord.
[Quran 19:72] Then we rescue the righteous, and leave the transgressors in it, humiliated.
*19:71 As detailed in Appendix 11, we will be resurrected prior to God's physical arrival to our universe. That will be a temporary taste of Hell, since the absence of God is Hell. When God comes (89:22), the righteous will be rescued. See 19:72.
[Quran 56:10-12] Then there is the elite of the elite. They are those who will be closest (to God). In the gardens of bliss.

A question people sometimes have is regarding the materialistic descriptions of Heaven and Hell in the Quran. The descriptions of Heaven and Hell throughout Quran are allegorical. And the Quran tells us so whenever such descriptions occur as independent statements, not within a general subject. See 2:24-26, 13:35, and 47:15. The word "Mathal" (allegory) is used in these verses. Linguistically, the word "Mathal" in these verses can be removed, and we still have perfect sentences. But it is there because the descriptions of Heaven and Hell are allegorical.
Thus, it is not about literally getting everything the hearts desire and the eyes wish for (Quran 43:71), but rather describing the extent of happiness and bliss in heaven.
The worldly analogies are the closest we can get to understanding how much joy and happiness await those who make it back to God’s Kingdom and Paradise. Because, in truth—we have no idea how wonderful it is (Quran 32:17).

Heaven: Indescribably Beautiful

[Quran 32:17] You have no idea how much joy and happiness are waiting for you as a reward for your (righteous) works.
More on the Day of Resurrection, and Heaven and Hell.

As you sow, so shall you reap?

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Las Vegas is known for promoting all kinds of sins and vices in their community, notably gambling. The Quran strongly condemns gambling and intoxicants (ref: Drugs and Alcohol in Islam), calling them the abominations of the devil (5:90).

In an interesting correlation, Dr. Matt Wray a Professor at Temple University, has found that the city of Las Vegas has the highest suicide rate in the USA (featured at: http://freakonomicsradio.com/gambling-with-your-life.html).  Clearly, the choices people make, affect their happiness.

Intoxicants and Gambling Prohibited

[Quran 5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.

Murder, Suicide, and Illicit Gains Prohibited

[Quran 4:29] O you who believe, do not consume each others' properties illicitly? only mutually acceptable transactions are permitted. You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is Merciful towards you.

Intoxicants and Gambling  Prohibited*

[Quran 2:219] They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, "In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit." They also ask you what to give to charity: say, "The excess." GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect,
   *2:219 The world now recognizes that the economic benefits from manufacturing alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs are not worth the traffic fatalities, brain damage to children of alcoholic mothers, family crises, and other disastrous consequences. Check with "Alcoholics Anonymous" and "Gamblers Anonymous" for more information. See also 5:90-91.





Peace.