Money and Happiness

Tugas Softskill Bahasa Inggris

Disusun oleh :

Tika Mariam (16215898)

Kelas : 1EA08

Fakultas Ekonomi Manajemen S-1

Universitas Gunadarma

Depok

Money and Happiness

Money is the oil of an engine, without it the economy cannot properly function. The idea or concept of money however is bigger than simple pieces of paper or coins. The definition of money is anything that can be accepted as a form of currency. During the Prophet’s (SAW) time on earth instead of paper money, gold or silver coins, animal skins, salt, shells and even stones. In today’s world we use fiat money which is backed by the government as law but not as a physical commodity.

In the story of Malin Kundang the ungrateful son, who began as a sailor from a poor family, returns home wealthy with abundant riches. He becomes so absorbed with himself through money that he forgets who he is and where he came from. Out of grief the mother curses the whole ship into stone as they take off to leave.

Abu Huraira narrated that the prophet said “Wealth is not in having vast riches, it is in contentment.”

In Islam there is nothing wrong with having or spending money however Muslims disapprove the act of excessiveness and such can lead to believers forgetting their dependence on god while becoming too attached to this world. Money is good for wellbeing and happiness but too much money can change our personality into greedy and selfish. Instead money can be used for doing good deeds for the community and becoming closer to god.

It has been proven in many studies that spending money on others rather than our self can make us happy as well. Researchers conducted the same experiment in several different countries with diverse cultures. The test was given to random people, they were told on the first day to spend money on themselves however they like. On the second day they were told to spend the money on others as random acts of kindness. Every country and culture had the same results, which was that giving increased happiness while self-spending barely had an effect.

To summarize, money can create happiness but everything is good in moderation. Money allows us to become self-reliant and independent for us to enjoy our lives. But the real and true happiness comes from giving and caring for one another. Working as a team and a family is how humans prosper as a society.