The Concept of Sa‘Ādah According to Islamic, Western, and Greek Views

The concept of sa‘ādah

The triliteral root of sa‘ādah, sīn ʿayn dāl (ع د س) occurs twice in the Quran, in two derived forms. Both words refer to happiness, once in the form of I verb suʿidu (سُعِدُ) and another one refers to the noun saʿīd (سَعِيد). The term su‘idu means ‘were glad’ in verse 11:108:3 in the Quran (Dukes, 2009–2017). Based on Tafsir Ibn Kathir, the term su‘idu in this verse means ‘blessed’. Those who are blessed in this verse refer to the followers of the Messengers and as a reward for them, their final abode will be paradise, where they will remain there forever (Ibn Kathīr, 1999, p. 2378). The noun saʿīd (سَعِيد) is mentioned in the verse with the term wasaʿīdun (وَسَعِيدٌ) which means ‘and (the) glad’ in verse 11:105:10 in the Quran (Dukes, 2009–2017). Based on Tafsir Ibn Kathir, the term wasaʿīdun in this verse means ‘blessed and happy’ (Ibn Kathīr, 1999). Sa‘ādah means happiness, bliss, felicity, welfare, well-being, and well (Baalbaki, 1995, p. 633).

Based on the discussion, sa‘ādah means ‘happiness and blessed’. Those who are blessed are usually happy with their lives because they live in God’s mercy. The happiness they gain comes from the right choice to follow the straight path. To make their happiness everlasting, God grants paradise as the final abode for them, as a reward for their patience in following the Messengers.

What is the concept of sa‘ādah according to Islamic scholars?

What is the concept of sa‘ādah according to western scholars?

What is the concept of sa‘ādah according to Greek scholars?

Are there any similarities and differences on the concept of sa‘ādah (happiness) from the views of the Islamic, western, and Greek scholars?

To study and examine the concept of sa‘ādah according to Islamic, western, and Greek viewpoints.

To identify similarities and differences on the concept of sa‘ādah based on Islamic, western, and Greek scholars’ schools of thoughts.

The concept of sa‘ādah according to Islamic, Western, and Greek viewpoints

Based on Islamic views, happiness is clarified through the term sa‘ādah . Sa‘ādah in Islam alludes to happiness in the present world and the hereafter. The opposite term of sa‘ādah is shaqāwah which means bad luck and great misery. In terms of the hereafter, sa‘ādah means ultimate happiness (Al-Attas, 1995; see also Abde & Salih, 2015; Sabjan, 2019).

Sa‘ādah in the hereafter is closely related to life in the present world in three situations. First, it relates to the self, such as knowledge and good character. Second, it relates to the body such as good health and personal safety. Third, through external affairs of the self and the body such as wealth and other factors that can improve the well-being of self, body, and external matters and situations in relation to them. Happiness in the present must be interpreted and guided by a source of religion that is called revelation (Al-Attas, 1995).

According to al-Ghazālī (1983), the happiness in the hereafter is eternal, it remains unchanged through the passing years. The sources of happiness and safety can be achieved through knowledge and good deeds. Good deeds complement knowledge whereby through knowledge, good deeds can reach the goal (al-Ghazālī, 1983). The examples of knowledge are the knowledge of self, the knowledge of God, the knowledge of this world, and the knowledge of the next world. Good deeds include performing allowed music as aids to the religious life, self-examination and recollection of God, as well as marriage that forms a part of religious life and act of love towards God (al-Ghazzali, 2004; al-Ghazali, 2001). Another way to achieve happiness is through speaking good words. One of the most effective ways to guard from saying bad words is to abstain from argument and disagreement as much as possible. Therefore, it is advisable to always be patient so that the heart is always in a peaceful condition (Al-Idrus, 1993).

Islam views that there are three stages of happiness. The first two phases are achievable by humankind in this present world. Meanwhile, the last one can only be attained in the hereafter. The first one is happiness at the stage of desire, which is the case when people achieve all of what they want and need. The second one is happiness at the spiritual stage, which directs to the eternal feeling of happiness, felt in full consciousness, that which becomes the fundamental factor of life in this world. Through this spiritual happiness, one is unaffected by mistakes and is not dismayed upon encounters of hardship due to his/her belief in destiny. When this second stage is accomplished, it has a similarity with the first stage; i.e. when material things that someone desires decrease and all the current needs are sufficient. Happiness in this second stage prepares for happiness in the third stage that shall take place in the hereafter, namely the ultimate happiness, whereby one experiences by way of seeing God (Al-Attas, 2014).

Sa‘ādah , according to western views is called happiness. In the discussion of happiness, it is divided into two sections: first, the causes of happiness and second, the causes of unhappiness (Russell, 1930). The source of happiness according to western views, is meditation. Meditation can lead to happiness. Those who practise meditation would always evaluate their wrongdoings, foolishness, and weaknesses (Russell, 1930). Another source of happiness can be found in education. Education, at its most useful, ought to help students to do well physically and spiritually. One of the weaknesses of modern higher education is too much training to obtain certain skills but too little focus on the enhancement of the mind (Russell, 1930). In order to alleviate this issue, there is a suggestion that educational institutions must emphasize more on fields other than the technical areas of education (Ben-Shahar, 2007).

Apart from meditation and education, other sources of happiness are enthusiasm, affection, family, work, impersonal interests, and efforts and acceptance. Enthusiasm is the most common and distinctive mark of happy individuals. By having enthusiasm, the more things they are fascinated with, the more chances of happiness they could have, and the less they feel at the mercy of fate. If they lose one thing, they can focus on other interests.

Another source of happiness is affection. Affection is a great sign of people’s happiness since childhood although they tend to take it for granted. Children whose parents are constantly showing affection towards them regard it as a law of nature. The affection will soon encourage the adventurous side of them (Russell, 1930). Family is also a source of happiness. Affection of parents for children and vice versa is one of the greatest factors of happiness. The value of parental affection towards children exists mostly due to the fact that it is more trustworthy than any other affections (Russell, 1930).

Working is also a source of happiness. Work functions as a method to avoid boredom. Work also provides opportunities for success and options for ambition (Russell, 1930).

Happiness could also be sourced from impersonal interests. An impersonal interest is a minor interest that fills up the free time and invokes peacefulness from the pressures of more urgent endeavours (Russell, 1930). Other foundations of happiness are efforts and acceptance. For men and women, happiness is viewed as an accomplishment rather than an endowment of the Creator. In achieving this accomplishment, both internal and external efforts must play a major role. Acceptance has a part to play in the conquest of happiness, as well as efforts (Russell, 1930).

In discussing of the stages of happiness from the western viewpoint, the causes of unhappiness are mentioned first. Solutions are then suggested on how humans can overcome unhappiness and avoid it. Rationally, the discussion guides humans to find the causes of their unhappiness and solve them by themselves, and it will bring them to subsequent stage, which is happiness. There are several causes that lead to unhappiness such as Byronic unhappiness, competition, boredom and excitement, fatigue, envy, the sense of sin, persecution mania, and fear of public opinions. Byronic unhappiness refers to those who hold the opinion that a man who enjoys being unhappy is not sorrowful. To cure this problem, one must contemplate on something else instead (Russell, 1930). In terms of competition, one insists on being successful, otherwise he/she will experience anxiety instead of happiness. The feeling of success can lead to happiness (Russell, 1930).

In the aspects of boredom and excitement, enduring boredom will actually lead to happiness. Fatigue also leads to unhappiness due to worry, but worry could be restrained by exercising improved principles of life and more rational control (Russell, 1930). Envy leads to unhappiness as well. Whoever wishes to experience happiness needs to increase admiration and decrease envy (Russell, 1930). A sense of sin is another source of unhappiness. This is because one will encounter deep regret and penitence after committing sinful acts. To cure the painful feelings, one is recommended to perform self- contemplation an hour a day (Russell, 1930).

Persecution mania also leads to unhappiness. Persecution mania happens when individuals think that others want to hurt them, or lock them up, or inflict serious harms on them. This problem can be handled through correct identification of the source of trouble and the awareness that its origin exists within themselves and not in the assumed malevolence or harshness of others (Russell, 1930). Fear of public opinions is another cause of unhappiness. This happens due to the differences in opinions and thoughts in groups or individuals. The only best remedy to alleviate the unhappiness is through the increase of acceptance on the part of the public (Russell, 1930).

Sa‘ādah , according to Greek views is called eudaimonia (happiness). According to Aristotle (1951), happiness ( eudaimonia ) was once known to be tangible and apparent, such as pleasure or luxury or reputation. Happiness seems to matter more than anything else. Happiness refers to something that humans choose always for its own good and never for the good of something else. Apparently, happiness is eventual and self-sufficient, and perceived as the ending and the target of all that humans do (Aristotle, 1951). Happiness, although not god-sent, occurs as an outcome of virtue or some kind of knowledge or practices. It is one of the blessed elements in the world, because it is bestowed as well as perceived as the ending and target of righteous behaviours of a top achievement, which is divine and most glorified. The source of this happiness is through learning and perseverance. These make everyone capable to obtain happiness (Aristotle, 1951).

In the stages of happiness according to Greek views, in order to gain persistent happiness, humans must be involved in certain virtuous activities such as contemplation. Happiness must be experienced without any vital changes, whereas a living person may encounter many turns of fate. Righteous activities could develop into happiness. Since they are involved in virtuous activities and contemplation, they will face the changes of fate as they are really good and faultless (Aristotle, 1951). As happy individuals will dominate all genuinely good things, they must have social communication. Clearly, it is preferable to live with companions and respectable people than with strangers and chance associates (Aristotle, 1951). If happiness is the action in conformity with virtue, then such virtue is as unique as the ideal part of human. This is the instrument in which action, when in line with its own appropriate virtue, will embrace happiness. Such action, as previously specified, is embodied in contemplation (Aristotle, 1951; see also Holowchak, 2004).

From the previous justification, absolute happiness is a kind of contemplative activity. Contemplation is the closest to God’s activity that will most exactly demonstrate the essence of happiness. Those who engage in an enlightened activity that polish their reason and place it in a perfect condition, are probably most adored by God. At the same time, they behave properly and nobly. Accordingly, they are the most loved by God, and consequently the happiest among human beings (Aristotle, 1951).

From the discussion, the term of happiness in Islam is sa‘ādah . Sa‘ādah means happiness and blessed from the Islamic viewpoint. There are three stages of happiness in Islam. The two early stages are attainable in the present, and the last one is earned in the hereafter. Sa‘ādah can be attained from knowledge and good deeds.

The term sa‘ādah from the western viewpoint refers to happiness. The sources of happiness come from meditation, education, enthusiasm, affection, family, work, impersonal interests, efforts and acceptance. Apart from that, the stages of happiness include the causes of unhappiness and how to cure them in order to move to the next stage, happiness.

The term sa‘ādah from the Greek viewpoint is eudaimonia. In the discussion of happiness, it is described as something eventual and self-sufficient, and it is the final purpose of all human beings. Happiness can be gained through knowledge (learning) and consistency (perseverance). In order to gain persistent happiness, humans must be involved in certain virtuous activities such as contemplation. Happiness consists of humanistic activities that are the best, the virtuous, and the delightful of all things. Happiness must be accomplished, at the same time, it is also a gift from God to those with noble and righteous character. Happiness does not need any crucial change, as it is the righteous activities that evoke happiness.

This subsection has answered the research questions numbered 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and the purpose of the study numbered 4.1.

The similarities and differences on the concept of sa‘ādah based on Islamic, Western, and Greek scholars’ schools of thought

In the discussion of the interpretation of sa‘ādah , those scholars hold the similar view that sa‘ādah (happiness) is a final purpose for humans in this world and the hereafter. In this category, interpretation from the Islamic view is all-inclusive as the discussion of happiness encompasses both the hereafter and this present world.

• Based on Islamic views, the term sa‘ādah refers to happiness in the hereafter and in the present world.

• Based on western views, the term sa‘ādah refers to worldly happiness.

• Based on Greek views, the term sa‘ādah refers to happiness as the final purpose of human beings.

This discussion has answered the research questions numbered 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and the purpose of the study numbered 4.2.

In the discussion on the sources of sa‘ādah (happiness), those scholars hold the similar view that sa‘ādah (happiness) can be obtained through knowledge (Islamic views), education (western views), and learning (Greek views). The scholars also hold the same opinion that contemplation activities such as self-examination, recollection of God, the love of God (Islamic), meditation (western), and contemplation as a virtuous activity (Greek) can bring ultimate happiness to human beings. In addition, those scholars have similar opinion about the necessity of communication and relationship with other people which can lead to happiness. According to Islamic views, forging relationship with other people is encouraged by speaking good words and avoiding conflicts. From the western viewpoint, family is the main factor of happiness as the state of isolation is not encouraged if someone wants to be happy. From the views of Greek scholars, a happy person is the one who holds social communication. Apart from that, happiness can be obtained from other good deeds such as listening to music that are allowed in Islam (Islamic views), work (western views), and any righteous actions (Greek views). This discussion has answered the research question numbered 3.4 and the purpose of the study numbered 4.2.

In the discussion on the stages of happiness, those scholars have the same opinion on how to attain happiness phase by phase. The Islamic scholars are of the view that the stages of happiness consist of happiness in this world and the hereafter. The western views approach the stages of happiness by explaining the causes of unhappiness, how to solve them, and avoid them. The discussion on the sources of happiness is beneficial to guide humans to achieve happiness and maintain it during their lifetime. According to Greek views, evidently, happiness is the final aim for human beings and the discussion on the stages of happiness has shown how to gain happiness and maintain it. In this category, the interpretation from Islamic views is comprehensive as the discussion on the stages of happiness include the hereafter and this present world. This discussion has answered the research question numbered 3.4 and the purpose of the study numbered 4.2.

According to Islamic views, happiness in the present world and the hereafter are inter-connected. The explanation from the western views focuses on the factors of happiness and unhappiness. The Greek scholars explain happiness as the final purpose of human beings and the means to achieve it are through virtuous activities. Typically, happiness relates to the enhancement of mind or reason through contemplation activities and righteous actions. All the viewpoints have similarities in certain aspects. The combination of opinions of all scholars can lead human beings to achieve happiness in this world and the hereafter.

Table 01 shows the summary of this discussion regarding the concept of sa‘ādah according to Islamic, western, and Greek scholars’ schools of thoughts.

Key findings

Based on Islamic views, happiness enables human to feel at peace in the world and the hereafter. Happiness comes from two sources; knowledge and good deeds which can be acquired at an early age. The stages of happiness being discussed show that human beings can use them as a final target to achieve happiness in the world and the hereafter.

Based on the western views, happiness has to be toiled rather than being perceived as a gift of God. The factors of unhappiness need to be identified and rectified to ensure lasting happiness. Essentially, unhappiness can be cured.

Based on Greek views, happiness is the final purpose for all human beings. The sources of happiness come from learning and consistency. Continuous engagement in virtuous activities ensures that humans will be in everlasting happiness. Virtuous activity is a righteous action such as contemplation, application of reason, and enhancement of the mind.

Limitations and future directions

The present research recommends future direction. First, the present research discusses the concept of sa‘ādah according to Islamic, western, and Greek views, with reference to the views of classic scholars such as al-Ghazālī and Aristotle. Future research could focus on the views of modern scholars whom discuss the concept of sa‘ādah .

Second, this present research only focuses on the concept of sa‘ādah . Future research could examine other concepts related to happiness in Islam such as ḥasanah (good), ṭūbā (blessedness), and matā‘ (enjoyment).

Third, the present research discusses the concept of sa‘ādah according to the thoughts of those scholars in a content analysis method. Future research could focus on identifying the concept of sa‘ādah according to social class in societies and making comparisons in a fieldwork study. Reasons for similarities and differences in their opinions in terms of sa‘ādah could be explored.

Concluding remarks

The findings of the research have shown that there are a number of similarities among the views of Islamic, western, and Greek philosophers. This research concludes that the Islamic views of sa‘ādah is more comprehensive because it embraces happiness in the present world as well as in the hereafter.