Seeking The Path to The Finest Destination

Most people follow the same trend in seeking happiness. It is all about achieving something in this life, which is believed to confer that ever-sought after great feeling of fulfillment. But, in reality, happiness is unattainable. Like a mirage, the closer one gets to it, the farther it seems. It is not pessimism that drives this thought, but it is the reality of human nature. At every achievement, the self longs for more, compelling itself to embark on the next journey searching for happiness … until the visit of death, which destroys all the pleasures!

But why are most people following the same path in their pursuit of happiness? Are they lacking in imagination, do not have knowledge, or are unable to reason? No such thing can be true, but the reality is that people are just following their inner nature, seeking happiness in what appeals to them to be the ultimate pleasure. And they are doing it by simply serving their instincts! One might ask: “If people are following their inner nature, why then is happiness unattainable?” The reality is that innate desires are necessary components for life. Without them, life cannot exist. Imagine human nature being devoid from the desire of the love of wealth. Then, no one would feel the need to work, nor seek to establish business transactions and consequently, no community would exist. Or imagine human nature lacking the desire to build families. Humankind would then succumb to extinction. However, the real problem is to regard inner desires as purposes to serve, rather than as elements necessary for the journey of life and the fulfillment of the high objective of existence. The Quran reminds us of such a reality, saying: “The enjoyment of ˹worldly˺ desires — women, children, treasures of gold and silver, fine horses, cattle, and fertile land — has been made appealing to people. These are the pleasures of this worldly life, but with Allah is the finest destination” (3:14).

Seeking the finest destination, which is with Allah, is the true path leading to happiness.

“Unconsciously” making the serving of the desires as the path to happiness confines one’s soul and mind into a constrained sphere. Within this sphere, ideas, thoughts and dreams suffer a tiring and stressful striving that aims to attain the next achievement. This then, is supposed to toss out worries and distress and bring joy and peace. It is a mindset acting as a creed, saying constantly: next time is going to be fine. It is exactly like the chasing of a mirage. The Quran describes such a situation, but within the context of the complete journey of existence: “As for the disbelievers, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert, which the thirsty perceive as water. But when they approach it, they find it to be nothing. Instead, they find Allah there ˹in the Hereafter, ready˺ to settle their account. And Allah is swift in reckoning” (24:39).

If one reflects deeply, he/she would understand fully that only a way which passes beyond death can assure happiness. The wisdom of the Quran draws one’s attention to an obvious fact: “Whatever you have will end, but whatever Allah has is everlasting. And We will certainly reward the steadfast according to the best of their deeds” (16:96). Therefore, true happiness needs to be sought after within the soul, the actual entity that travels beyond death. It cannot be achievable through an external element brought from the worldly life, which is going to end with whatever is in it and whatever is associated with it. It is only achievable through the inner garden built within the soul — a garden protected by the fortress of remembrance, secured by the power of patience and living and flourishing by the love of Allah.

The journey of true happiness starts with a sincere intention to truly flee to Allah with one’s whole being. “Flee, therefore, to Allah. Surely I am a clear warner to you from Him. And make not another an object of worship with Allah. I am from Him a Warner to you, clear and open!” (51:50-51).