The phenomenon of happiness in the Muslim tradition

N. A. Dobrolyubova State Linguistic University of Nizhny Novgorod, Department of History and Foreign Regional Studies, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

^* Corresponding author: senutkina@mail.ru

Abstract

The need for research in the field of the designated problems is determined by the changing circumstances of the life of modern society on a global scale. In recent years, interfaith interactions in the world have not inspired optimism on improving intercultural contacts (one can mention the rejection of the policy of multiculturalism in Western Europe, terrorist attacks in France and other places, conflicts in the Middle East, etc.). The modern world demonstrates a blatant misunderstanding of others by social communities and the increasing conflict nature of the social environment. Hence the importance of academic developments of a humanistic nature. The author’s goal is to show the general and specific understanding of the phenomenon of happiness in Muslim culture. The Muslim tradition sees the happiness of a Muslim in a deep faith in Allah and adherence to a behavioral model, the example of which is the Prophet Muhammad. It is in the observance of Sharia law that lies the foundation of stability in the life of the global ummah (Muslim community) itself, as well as its relations with the outside world. The work methods for this paper were, first of all, a content analysis of Muslim texts, a review of the historiography of the problem of understanding of happiness by Muslims, as well as direct contact with the Nizhny Novgorod Muslim Tatars during field studies expressed in in-depth interviews (1995–2000). The novelty of the work lies in the choice of the Muslim discourse of understanding happiness as the object of the author’s consideration. As a result of the study, the author comes to confirm the idea that knowledge about the worldview attitudes of other cultures can help relieve tension in human communications at different levels. The data stated above are a confirmation of the Qur’anic tradition of finding means for peaceful communication between different ethnicities, as well as the works of Muslim scholars aimed at establishing good neighbor relationships in strengthening intercultural communication.