Is Every Good Feeling from God?

The question of whether every good feeling comes from God is a profound and crucial inquiry in understanding the human relationship with the Divine. To answer this from a Quranic perspective, we must develop a comprehensive understanding of 'good' (khayr), 'evil' (sharr), divine guidance, and satanic whispers. The Quran explicitly states that all genuine good and blessings that reach a human being are from Allah. However, it is essential to note that this 'good' does not necessarily encompass every fleeting 'good feeling' an individual might experience at a given moment. Some feelings that appear good on the surface might, in the long run or from a spiritual perspective, be detrimental to the human being or originate from sources other than divine will. In the verses of the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty is introduced as the ultimate and primary source of all good and grace. Surah An-Nisa, verse 79, states: “Whatever good comes to you is from Allah, and whatever evil befalls you is from yourself.” This verse clearly indicates that hasanat, meaning good things or blessings, originate from a divine source. These 'good things' include pure emotions, inner peace (sakinah), affection (mawaddah), mercy (rahmah), a sense of satisfaction from performing righteous deeds, the joy of worship, and gratitude. For instance, in Surah Ar-Rum, verse 21, Allah says: “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” This verse highlights the tranquility, affection, and mercy that Allah has placed between spouses, serving as examples of deep and positive feelings that are considered signs of His divine grace. Furthermore, the joy and happiness derived from faith, righteous deeds, and the remembrance of Allah are prime examples of true good feelings that originate from God. Surah Yunus, verse 58, commands: “Say, 'By the grace of Allah and by His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.'” This verse emphasizes that true and valuable joy is that which stems from divine grace and mercy. However, the matter becomes more complex when we consider feelings that might provide a momentary sense of well-being or pleasure, but in reality, have a satanic or egoistic origin and lead to corruption and misguidance. The Holy Quran, in numerous instances, refers to the role of Satan in beautifying evil deeds and misleading humanity. Satan, through his whispers (waswasa), makes sin and disobedience appear appealing and desirable to humans. Surah Fatir, verse 6, states: “Indeed, Satan is an an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze.” This implies that any 'good feeling' that leads a person towards disobedience to Allah, oppression, arrogance, envy, or illicit desires, even if momentarily pleasurable to the self (nafs), is not of divine origin. Rather, it is a deception and temptation from Satan, whose goal is to divert humans from the straight path. Moreover, the nafs al-ammara bis-su' (the self that inclines to evil) can also be a source of deceptive feelings. The human nafs may incline towards fleeting pleasures and sin, deriving a 'good feeling' from them. In Surah Az-Zukhruf, verse 36, we read: “And whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Merciful - We appoint for him a devil, so he will be to him a companion.” This verse indicates that turning away from the remembrance of Allah and failing to discern properly opens the way for Satan's influence and the beautification of wrong actions. So, what is the criterion for distinguishing between a divinely inspired good feeling and a satanic or egoistic one? The criterion is the alignment of that feeling and its outcome with divine teachings. If a feeling leads to closeness to God, increased faith, true peace, righteous actions, helping others, seeking justice, truthfulness, humility, and other virtues, then that good feeling is from God. However, if a feeling (even if initially sweet) leads to arrogance, oppression, sin, heedlessness of God, discontent with divine decree, or any blameworthy characteristic, then that feeling is from Satan's whispers or the nafs al-ammara and must be avoided. A believer must constantly purify their heart with the help of Allah, through vigilance and contemplation, to distinguish between divine inspirations and satanic delusions. This discernment is vital not only for an individual's psychological and emotional well-being but also for their spiritual growth and eternal salvation. Ultimately, every good feeling that leads to genuine well-being and benefit for humanity in this world and the hereafter, and is in accordance with Allah's pleasure, is from the endless grace and generosity of Allah.