Making someone happy has a great blessing and it also allows you to grow your connection with them stronger and more fruitful. Islam is a religion that places a strong emphasis on interpersonal connections and urges followers to make other people happy with a small casual dose of “Happy Hormone”. Making someone happy is rewarding and seen as one of the most spectacular acts of compassion a person can perform. It seems a given act but indirectly we also receive inner joy. Happiness means feeling joy or pleasure. When we make someone happy, this is also the reason for our satisfaction and pleasure. It allows for our relationships to be stronger. Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection.” [1]
The significance of sharing laughter and joy can be clearly understood by this hadith. It makes us generous and kind-hearted and that becomes our medium to receive Allah’s mercy and His blessings. In this article, we’ll look at some ways Muslims may make other people happy and the benefits resulting from doing so. Making someone happy means helping others, providing a solution for others, spending time with others giving presents, appreciating their work, and showing kind and caring gestures. But if you do this by violating the laws of Allah or choosing any source that is impermissible in Islam. It would not be appreciated.
How can we make someone happy?
Well, this question has too many answers. All we have to do is be kind and speak kind words and we can make anyone’s day better. It does not mean that we have to overly spend their way (although everyone loves a little gift). But we can help someone have a better day with simple and small gestures too, such as smiling towards them or complimenting them. It could also be something more significant, like assisting individuals in need or lending a hand financially or emotionally. Here are a few ways we can act to ensure that we are enabling someone to become happier.
Giving Sadaqah
Giving Sadaqah is one of the best methods in Islam to make someone happy. A voluntary act of generosity, Sadaqah is performed to please Allah and benefit others. It can be given in various ways, such as providing the needy food, clothing, or money or volunteering your time and skills to assist people in need.
The Quran encourages Muslims to give Sadaqah, stating that:
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مَنًّۭا وَلَآ أَذًۭى ۙ لَّهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
“Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah and do not follow their charity with reminders of their generosity or hurtful words—they will get their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.” [2]
When we give charity or Sadaqah, the immediate effect is that we helped someone who was in need. Similarly, with this act we have pleased Allah (SWT), hence earning rewards. Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
“Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.” [3]
Showing Kindness
There is nothing more wholesome than to be the reason for someone to be happy. And it can be as easy as being kind to them. It can be with the way we speak or our reactions toward their actions. Narrated `Aisha (The wife of the Prophet):
“A group of Jews entered upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “As-Samu-Alaikum.” (i.e., death be upon you). I understood it and said, “Wa-Alaikum As-Samu wal-la’n. (death and the curse of Allah be Upon you).” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Be calm, O `Aisha! Allah loves that one, should be kind and lenient in all matters.” I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Haven’t you heard what they (the Jews) have said?” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “I have (already) said (to them) “And upon you!” [4]
Offering Words of Encouragement
With the intention of genuinely inspiring or helping someone for the better, even small words of encouragement are worship to Allah (SWT) and He sends blessings to the person who does such an act. Abu ‘Abdur-Rahman Bilal bin Al-Harith Al-Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “A man speaks a good word without knowing its worth, Allah records for him His Good Pleasure till the day he will meet Him; a man utters an evil word without realizing its importance, Allah records for him His displeasure till the day he will meet Him.” [6]
We can also use this medium to encourage their faith as well. We have to be sincere with our intentions towards them. The closer they will be to Allah (SWT) the more rewards you will get.
Spending Time with Others
In Islam, socializing with others helps to deepen the community’s relationships of brotherhood and sisterhood. Nu’man b. Bashir reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
“The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole-body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.” [7]
This hadith emphasizes the importance of building solid relationships with our fellow believers in Islam. That way, we can be a friend in need, and a friend indeed, all the while earning Allah’s (SWT) pleasure. Another benefit is, by making someone happy we can imprint the healthiest impact and long-lasting happiness and attachment to someone.
Practice Forgiveness
In Islam, forgiveness is widely regarded as a virtue. The teachings of Islam are based on the fact that forgiveness is an essential part of gaining Allah’s favor. The Quran says:
وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوٓا۟ أُو۟لِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُوا۟ وَلْيَصْفَحُوٓا۟ ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ
“Do not let the people of virtue and affluence among you swear to suspend donations to their relatives, the needy, and the emigrants in the cause of Allah. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love to be forgiven by Allah? And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [8]
Forgiving someone is not always straightforward, especially when we feel mistreated. Moreover, making someone happy can also be a means of seeking forgiveness from Allah. When we help others, we demonstrate our willingness to follow Allah’s commandments and live righteous lives. In turn, Allah may forgive us for our shortcomings and mistakes. The Quran says:
“Surely your Lord knows that you ˹O Prophet˺ stand ˹in prayer˺ for nearly two-thirds of the night, or ˹sometimes˺ half of it, or a third, as do some of those with you. Allah ˹alone˺ keeps a ˹precise˺ measure of the day and night. He knows that you ˹believers˺ are unable to endure this, and has turned to you in mercy. So recite ˹in prayer˺ whatever you can from the Quran. He knows that some of you will be sick, some will be traveling throughout the land seeking Allah’s bounty, and some fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite whatever you can from it. And ˹continue to˺ perform ˹regular˺ prayers, pay alms-tax, and lend to Allah a good loan.2 Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah far better and more rewarding.3 And seek Allah’s forgiveness. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [9]
Social Development
When we share happiness, it leaves a positive impact and helps society to evolve. It improves our social connections and also becomes the reason for building a strong community by making trust, collaboration, and cooperative behavior. By providing happiness, we can make our society more productive and motivated. There could be multiple acts that can make someone happy e.g. presenting chocolates to university guards, or your office’s caretakers would defiantly give them a mood swing, or how about something for your colleague after the weekend? A sudden surprise has great joy in it and if acted upon with the intent of being rewarded by Allah except reciprocal can make your way toward Jannah even simpler in sha Allah.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making someone happy is a virtuous act in Islam that Allah values and rewards highly. It is a means to earn His favor and blessings, build a stronger and more harmonious community, and seek forgiveness for our shortcomings. May Allah guide us all toward spreading joy and happiness to others, and may He reward us for our efforts in this life and the hereafter.
Making Someone Happy is Rewarding and a part of an amazing series. To earn more pleasure from Allah and to follow forgotten Sunnahs of our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), head over to our series Time to Revive.
By Joweria Shahid
References
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2442: Book 46, Hadith 3
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:262)
- Sahih Muslim 2588: Book 45, Hadith 90
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6024: Book 78, Hadith 55
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:83)
- Riyad as-Salihin 1516: Book 17, Hadith 6
- Sahih Muslim 2586a: Book 45, Hadith 84
- Al-Quran (Surah An-Nur 24:22)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Muzzammil; 73:20)
