The American Dream vs. The Islamic Good Life

Hayyatan Tayyiban ( حَيَوٰةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬‌ۖ ) The Good Life. 

Every year, almost 1.3 million people move to the United States in search of the "American Dream." 

The term, “American Dream” was first used by James Truslow Adam in his book, “The Epic America” published in 1931. During the Great Depression, he envisioned that ‘life should be better and richer for everyone.’ He connected happiness to becoming wealthy and having the ability to achieve everything if only one works hard enough for it. However, in America, like everywhere else in the world, you have to take the low road to get the high life. You cannot achieve political office or become a multimillionaire without being amoral or committing rampant financial fraud.

The paper, by Paul K. Piff of the University of California, Berkeley, and four colleagues, reports that: “members of the upper class are more likely than others to behave unethically, to lie during negotiations, to driver illegally and to cheat when competing for a prize.” 

In other words,  really successful people break rules – violate all obligations and loyalties, constantly. It’s the route to the top. 

Tragically, money and power are not a measure of happiness. People who spend too much time, increasing their wealth and influence are more likely to commit suicide. According to Hu of Fudan University, "among the extremely wealthy, suicide was the cause of 23.6% of their deaths between 2008 and 2010. Suicide among millionaires and billionaires ... is a social problem." They hang themselves, take drugs, jump off buildings or into water. The French sociologist, Emile Durkheim once wrote that Ireland was proof that suicide is not caused by poverty but increase amounts of wealth. 

"In many poor countries, such as those in Latin America, the suicide rate is a tiny fraction of what it is here. In some ways, suicide is the dark side of progress." Emily. 

In other words, increased material wealth, proud individualism and personal liberty comes withe a price -  higher risk of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, addictions, cheating and stealing. Too many of us do not equate studying the Qur'an with achieving a good life. 

In the Qur’an, Allah promises an illustrious life and eminent happiness to those who do outstanding good works.  

“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” (Qur’an, 16:97)

عمل صلحاً righteousness is any act of خير (khair) or بر (birr) as defined in the Qur’an. 

For example, 

(a) believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, the Prophets

(b) give wealth in spite of love for it to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask for help and for feeling slaves (those in debt, in need of bail etc)

(c) establish prayer and give zakkah

(d) fulfill promises

(e) be patient during poverty and hardship [Qur'an, 2:177]

(f) treat parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the neighbours - everyone in close proximity - the traveler and the subordinates  (such as chauffeurs, maids, employees, students, restaurant servers, etc) 

with extra kindness [Qur'an, 4:36]

(g) restrain anger

(h) forgive those who make one angry 

(i) Remember Allah 

(j) ask for Allah's forgiveness (Qur'an, 3:134-135)

While the the "American Dream" tells us that we do better when we ignore people and ethics; Allah says that  حَيَوٰةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬‌ۖ a good life with astronomical success comes when we empathize with the plight of the downtrodden and go out of our way to take care of others.

A good life is when: 

1.  والله يحب المحسنين - Allah loves us. 

2. Allah gives us happiness in form of contentment. We feel pleasure, improved physical health,  warm glow and euphoria in our lives. We experience a sense enrichment outside our pay check and social status.

3. Allah makes us feel more full in spite our our income and social status.  Allah blesses us with optimism, peace of mind and security. We have a constant smile on our face even when there is no one to take our picture or pat us on the back. 

4.  Allah up-lifts us out of our grief. He gives us the strength to cope with our problems and persevere when we make a palpable difference in the lives of other people. 

5. Allah removes our fear.  Improvishment not only robs people of their dignity, it threatens their very existence. It leads to political and social unrest, and even war. Poverty makes the world unstable and our lives unsafe. Allah gives us peace when we eradicate another persons' poverty.