Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

Joy can be defined as: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

The Quran tells us that: [Quran 10:64] For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is GOD's unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph.


So, what brings us joy? For some of us, joy can come from seeing and thinking about a wonder of creation.

[Quran 35:27] Do you not realize that GOD sends down from the sky water, whereby we produce fruits of various colors? Even the mountains have different colors; the peaks are white, or red, or some other color. And the ravens are black.

Joy comes from being reminded that the One taking care of creation is so magnificent. Joy is a moment to moment experience. One needs to be conscious and appreciative to enjoy it. Often, we're so trapped in thoughts of the future or the past that we forget to experience, let alone enjoy, what's happening right now. We sip coffee and think, "This is not as good as what I had last week." We eat a cookie and think, "I hope I don't run out of cookies."


May God help us to make that effort to consciously remember Him, appreciate Him, and rejoice in His blessings.


References:
Joy, Mindfulness and Being Present in GOD's Blessings, https://masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2019/may/page1.html
Happiness, Consequence of our Choice, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2011/jul/page1.html

Peace.