To paraphrase Kin Hubbard, how can you obtain happiness when poverty and wealth have failed? Before explaining Islam’s approach, let’s examine some benefits of happiness. Studies show that laughter can improve breathing, exercise the heart, and strengthen the immune system. It further lowers blood pressure, stress hormones, blood sugar levels, and pain. Optimistic people are far more likely to outlive their pessimistic counterparts, generally have a stronger immune system, lower risk of heart disease, and eat and sleep well.

OK. We established the obvious – being happy is good for you! So what? How does this relate to Prophet Muhammad? I believe Muhammad’s life is a blueprint for living happily in any circumstance, personifying the Quranic directive: “Then those who believed and acted righteously will be honored and made happy in stately gardens” (30:16).

Denied his father before birth, mother at 6, grandfather at 8, Muhammad remained cheerful throughout his life.

On another occasion, he was passing along and noticed a laborer sweating over his work. Muhammad approached him quietly from behind and covered his eyes with his hands as children do in sport. The man concluded that this affectionate gesture could come only from Muhammad and pressed his dust and sweat-covered back against Muhammad’s chest to prolong the moment. Muhammad began to laugh and removed his hands from the man’s eyes. No one was immune from Muhammad’s magnetic nature.

The day Muhammad peacefully conquered Mecca also offers an everlasting example of contentment. After carrying out all duties the city required, Muhammad went to his cousin Ummi Haani’s house to eat. Only a very stale piece of bread, too hard to swallow, was available. Muhammad smiled and said, “Surely, Ummi Haani, it can be softened by being soaked in water. And have you anything which could make it more palatable?” She replied, “There is a little of the dregs of vinegar left over from long ago.” He said, “That would be excellent.” He then soaked the bread in water and, when softened, ate it with the few drops of black vinegar, rendering thanks to God as if it were a banquet. Thanking his cousin Muhammad observed, “Ummi Haani, what a bounty bread and vinegar is.” This was the victory feast of the de facto ruler of Arabia – a man who, along with his companions, had suffered 20+ years of relentless persecution at the hands of his countrymen.