People are leaving Pakistan in droves. In 2022 alone, more than 800,000 Pakistanis left their country in search of greener pastures abroad. It's not only political instability and economic insecurity that are contributing to this mass exodus, but also the notion that emigrating to a Western country will somehow make us happier. The annual results of the Happiness Index further push this narrative, as Western countries are obviously leading the rankings. What if this is just a mirage? This article sets out to explain what happiness actually means and also deconstructs the Happiness Index.
Happiness is a subjective experience. Because of this, there's been a lot of debate and criticism over its various definitions and methods of measurement. Such debate and criticism also extend to the Happiness Index, which is a survey-poll-based measure of national happiness across the globe and is published annually as country rankings. The index relies on the self-reported scores of those polled on what is called a Cantril ladder, assigning their happiness levels a score of 1 to 10. The most recent to be released was in 2023 when Finland topped the charts for a record-breaking sixth time.
What Western Happiness Actually Means
Happiness could be defined simply as a state of subjective contentment. For Western secular societies, that subjective contentment is invariably tied to enjoying the optimum level of sensual pleasures. People's likes and dislikes are more and more influenced by the dominant culture and values, which are Western. Globally, this has led to a pronounced preference for individualism over collectivism, materialism over simplicity, personal achievement over familial duties, secularism over religious devotion, gender equality over traditional gender roles, and consumerism over sustainability.
Does that imply that a person can be tricked into thinking they are happy when they are not? Yes, indeed! Consider the straightforward example of a drug addict to comprehend this. While under the influence of drugs, he would rate his happiness as perfect. By his own subjective standards, he would have led a happy life if he had stayed high for the rest of his life. We, as observers, are aware that such a life is dull and meaningless. The lives and expectations of people in the West are similar to this example.
A truly representative measure of happiness should aim to be independent of a nation's WEIRDness (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic). According to studies, a country's happiness index rises the WEIRDer it is.
The Islamic Perspective
Now bringing Islam into the discussion changes the perspective on happiness even further — that too, drastically. Muslims conduct all of their actions in accordance with Allah's commands and prohibitions because they alone should govern all of society's affairs. The only way to bring happiness and tranquility to a Muslim is to conduct oneself in accordance with Allah's commands and prohibitions.
The Qur'an and Sunnah have used different forms of the word 'sa'adah' which is literally translated to happiness. It is mentioned twice in the Qur'an, both in Surah Hud:
وَأَمَّا الَّذينَ سُعِدوا فَفِي الجَنَّةِ خالِدينَ فيها ما دامَتِ السَّماواتُ وَالأَرضُ
"As for the felicitous, they will be in paradise. They will remain in it for as long as the heavens and the earth endure — an endless bounty." [Surah Hud:108]
Interestingly, both mentions of happiness are in the context of the Hereafter. For Muslims, true and eternal happiness is found in the Hereafter. Moreover, any opportunity, however difficult, to achieve that eternal happiness, will also make Muslims happy in this life. This means hardships, tests, and trials will always have this silver lining of reminding one of eternal bliss.
The following Hadith very clearly defines happiness:
عَنْ سَعْدٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ ابْنِ آدَمَ رِضَاهُ بِمَا قَضَى اللهُ لَهُ وَمِنْ شَقَاوَةِ ابْنِ آدَمَ تَرْكُهُ اسْتِخَارَةَ اللهِ وَمِنْ شَقَاوَةِ ابْنِ آدَمَ سَخَطُهُ بِمَا قَضَى اللهُ لَهُ
Sa'd reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Among the happiness of the son of Adam is contentment with what Allah has decreed for him. Among the misery of the son of Adam is to abandon asking Allah for guidance, and among the misery of the son of Adam is displeasure with what Allah has decreed for him." [Sunan at-Tirmidhī]
The Finland Paradox
Let us go back to the Happiness Index, where Finland topped the rankings for a remarkable sixth consecutive year. Let us take a closer look at Finland.
With 5.6% of its population clinically depressed, Finland is the eighth-most depressed nation in the world. In terms of suicide rates, which stand at 14.2 per 100,000 people, it is ranked the same (8th) globally. The Finnish Partnership for Mental Health recently revealed that mental health problems are the biggest reason for early retirement in cases of reduced ability to work, and that mental-health issues cost the government almost $13 billion a year. In July 2021, the National Crisis Helpline set a record when more than 28,000 people called for help in just that one month, in a country with a total population of just over 5.5 million. The biggest reason for contacting crisis support services was the same for young and old people: loneliness.
How would you make sense out of these statistics? What can explain the happiest country struggling with loneliness and ranking among the top 10 in suicide rates and depression other than a faulty understanding of happiness?
Conclusion
The concept of happiness is subjective and influenced by cultural values and personal expectations. The Western focus on individualism and materialism may lead to a skewed understanding of happiness. Islam offers a different perspective, emphasizing eternal happiness in the Hereafter and attaining Allah's pleasure by fulfilling organic or instinctual needs in accordance with Allah's commands.
The Happiness Index, while flawed, measures self-reported scores that may not capture true happiness. The example of Finland — a top-ranking country on the index but facing high rates of depression and suicide — highlights the limitations of relying solely on external indicators. True happiness is found in accepting reality, respecting Allah's boundaries, and seeking contentment with what He (swt) has decreed.
