Happiness lies in following the Sunnah

Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:

It is an accepted fact that each person finds solace and comfort in the things which he likes. For example, a person finds enjoyment in leading a life of luxury, eating good food and wearing expensive clothing. Such a person does not find solace and comfort without these things. However, the person who finds pleasure in sitting on straw mats, sleeping on a simple bedding, consuming simple food and wearing simple clothing, then such a person experiences happiness, solace and comfort in these things.

Hence, those who happily lead a life of simplicity, in order to conform to the Mubaarak lifestyle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then they find true happiness, solace and contentment in such a lifestyle. It is the divine favour of Allah Ta‘ala upon such people that He grants them true happiness and contentment, despite leading a simple life and not possessing a lot of the world. This type of lifestyle and the happiness that is linked to it is such that even the poor are able to acquire it.

On the contrary, if we attach our hearts to the wealth and riches of the world which the wealthy possess, trying to obtain it, then we will constantly remain in a state of worry and uneasiness, as we will never be happy and content with what we possess.

(Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 17)