The Three Categories that lead to Happiness: Selections from the Lectures of Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz

The author wrote:

{I ask Allah the Noble, Lord of the mighty throne, to protect you in this life and in the hereafter, and that He blesses you wherever you may be. And that He does the following for you; whenever you are given you show gratitude, whenever you are tested you are patient, and whenever you commit a sin that you seek His forgiveness. Indeed these three are the signs to happiness.}
Indeed these three categories are the signs (that lead) to happiness. The author, may Allah have mercy upon him, combined both benefit and supplication for the one seeking knowledge. It is from sincere advice that one supplicates for the seeker of knowledge to be granted success and with what will benefit him. There is no doubt that the seeker when Allah accepts this supplication in its own right he will attain happiness.

As for his statement: {… and that He blesses you wherever you may be. And that He does the following for you; whenever you are given you show gratitude, whenever you are tested you are patient, and whenever you commit a sin that you seek His forgiveness. Indeed these three are the signs to happiness.} These three are indeed the signs (that lead) to happiness so when the believer strives to implement these words then his state of happiness will be complete. He thanks Allah for what He has given him by carrying out His commandments and by leaving His prohibitions. And whenever he commits a sin he seeks forgiveness and repents to Allah. This is the constant condition of the believer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ((The everyday occurrences of the believer are always amazing within themselves. Everything that happens to him is good. This is reserved for no one else but the believer. If a good thing happens to him he is grateful and it is good for him. And if something bad happens to him he is patient and that is good for him as well.))

It is obligatory for the believer to thank Allah at the time of easiness and blessings like at the time of good health and healthiness, at the blessing of Islam, at the blessing of children, at the blessing of wealth, etc. The believer thanks Allah for it by obeying His commands and by leaving His prohibitions. The Most High says: {{You should know that the family of Daawood (the Prophet, peace be upon him) were grateful.}} Meaning that he obeys His commandments and abstains from His prohibitions and he directs the blessings in obeying al-Mawlaa the Glorified, the Most High just as he is patient and waits at the time of hardship such as sickness or at the death of a child or any other relative, etc. He does not despair or tear his pockets or strike his cheeks nor does he call to the ways of al-Jaahiliyyah. He does not use foul language rather he bears it and remains patient. And at the time of sins he departs with repentance and seeking forgiveness.

From: An Explanation of the Four Principles, by his Eminence, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz. 
Translated by Thomas Maldonado