The Relationship between Happiness, Sadness, and Gratitude in Islam

Being happy about life is not fard (obligatory) on Muslim, but rather a desirable and recommended state of mind that can be achieved by following Islam sincerely. Allah says in the Quran:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

 “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life.” [16:97]

The good life (hayatan tayyibah) in this verse means a life that is filled with happiness, peace, contentment, and satisfaction in this world and the hereafter. It is not necessarily a life of luxury or ease, but a life of faith, obedience, gratitude, and patience. It is a life that Allah grants to those who do righteous deeds and believe in Him. According to some scholars, hayatan tayyibah also implies a life that is pure, wholesome, and lawful according to Islamic teachings. 

However, sadness is a normal human emotion that even the prophets experienced. It is not a sign of weak faith or ingratitude.  Al Quran verse 12:86 says:

قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَشْكُو بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللَّهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know.

This verse shows the sadness of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob) when he lost his son Yusuf (Joseph) and his other sons lied to him about his fate. He expressed his sorrow to Allah and trusted in His knowledge and wisdom.

Another verse from the Quran that is related to sadness. The verse is 21:83 and it says:

وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful."

This verse shows the sadness of Prophet Ayyub (Job) when he was afflicted with severe illness and hardship. He prayed to Allah for relief and acknowledged His mercy and compassion.

Being unhappy is not necessarily like being ungrateful to Allah, but it depends on how we deal with our unhappiness. If we let it affect our faith, our worship, our attitude, and our behavior, then we may fall into ingratitude and disobedience. But if we use it as an opportunity to turn to Allah, to seek His help, to appreciate His gifts, and to improve ourselves, then we may attain happiness and gratitude in this world and the next.

وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ طَرَفَيِ النَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ ۚ إِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئَاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّاكِرِين

And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember. Al Quran 11:114 

However, depression is a more serious condition that requires help and support. Islam provides us with many ways to cope with sadness and depression, such as trusting Allah, being patient, doing good deeds, and seeking His mercy.

وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَىٰ

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind. 20:124 the Quran

Being grateful to Allah is one of the greatest deeds and one of the characteristics of the prophets. Allah promises to increase His blessings for those who are grateful and warns of severe punishment for those who are ungrateful. Being grateful means acknowledging Allah’s favors, praising Him, using His gifts in a lawful way, and sharing them with others. However, we humans are often ungrateful and forgetful of His blessings. We should always remember Him and thank Him for His bounties.