Six keys to happiness

Each of us certainly needs guidance and lessons on wisdom. Note that religion is an instruction. The most intelligent of people, Prophet Muhammad , listened to the advice of his companions, even if he knew the answer. This is an example for us to follow.

The Almighty teaches us to search for reasonable solutions and follow them. It is a great mercy to receive valuable instructions, especially when they are from a wise man. I would like to share with you some wise and very useful statements of Hatam al-Assam. It is narrated from Shakik Balkhi that he once asked Hatam al-Asam, “How long have you been under my guidance?” He answered, “For thirty years already!”

Then Shakik again asked him, “And what have you learned during this time?” Hatam replied, “During the time spent with you, I have learned six valuable wisdoms. If I follow them, then, perhaps, I will be saved from the turmoil of this world.” Shakik asked, “Tell me about them, so that I too may be saved and thereby rid myself of the turmoil of this world.”

And Khatam al-Asam began to list them:

1. I began to ponder on the words of God the Almighty, “There is not a single living creature on earth whose food God the Almighty would not take upon Himself.” (Sura Hood, ayah 6). And I saw myself as one of those to whom God the Almighty gives sustenance. I realized that it would not be denied me anywhere and that I would certainly get receive my food.

Indeed, God the Almighty provides food for an elephant, regardless of its impressive size, as well as for a tiny mosquito. Then I began to entrust my affairs to Almighty God and engage only in worshiping Him. Almost all of us trouble ourselves in pursuit of the benefits of this world, but not all receive them. This is only because we do not rely on the Creator in all our deeds. If we really begin to entrust our affairs to God the Almighty, He will surely help us.

2. I began to ponder on the words of the Almighty, “Truly, all believers are brothers.” (Sura Al-Hujurat, ayah 10). From this ayah, I understood that all believers are my brothers. A brother should be compassionate towards a brother in faith. I noticed that envy is the basis of enmity between people. So I took the trouble to remove the envy from my own heart. I got my heart to such a condition that if any misfortune happened to a person in the east, it also touched me.

3. I realized that everyone loves someone or something. The lover expresses love for the beloved. Thus worshiping God the Almighty became my love. It will be with me in the grave, on the Day of Judgment, and on the bridge of Sirat. Having renounced everything, I made worshipping God the most beloved action for myself.

4. Every person has an enemy. One must hate him and know how to defend against him. It is extremely difficult to fight the shaitan (Satan). His purpose is to lead me to Hell. Therefore, I will fight him as long as I live. At the same time I stopped fighting with people. The worst is when we cannot recognize the enemy and follow him instead.

5. Every person has a place to live that needs to be taken care of. I realized that my home is a grave. Therefore, I began to prepare for it. How to prepare for your future home? We must do as many good deeds as possible, as they will serve us with light and illumination in our graves.

6. A person is constantly waiting and looking for something. I am looking forward to the arrival of the Angel of Death. I do not know when he will come, so I am preparing to meet him, just as a bride prepares to meet her groom. And if he comes to me, then I will not ask him for a delay.

After listening to the disciple, Shakik said, “If we follow this, then both you and I will be saved.” Another version says, “Everything that I have listed is taken from the books sent down by the Almighty. They are based on these instructions. And he who acts according to them, follows these books.” Note that Shaqik takes instruction even from his own disciple, as did the Prophet Muhammad himself. We must all teach each other, as we profess the same religion. May the Almighty not deprive us of wisdom. Amin!

SHAMIL MAGOMEDOV Theologian