Our Understanding?
Many of us have a vague understanding with regards to stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, it is considered as a mental illness. At times, stress is associated with one being deficient in Īmān. Furthermore, many fall into error by being judgemental. There is no straight forward response as to why people become anxious and worried.
We need to understand that stress has now become a ‘normal’ part of our lives which affects everyone. Continuous stress can cause catastrophic consequences on the mind and body. Just as one can be injured physically, one can be bruised emotionally.
What is then the Islamic prescription to overcome stress and anxiety? Sadness is an integral part of life. Sayyiduna Ya’qoob عليه السلام was overwhelmed with worry when his son Sayyiduna Yusuf عليه السلام was lost. The Sahāba رضي الله عنهم were devastated at the passing away of Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم. Even our Master Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم was grieved when he lost his beloved wife Khadījah رضي الله عنها and his uncle Abu Tālib. The very important point is that Islam does not promise to eliminate sadness and stress but rather our noble religion teaches us how to manage these emotions.
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No Man is Free From Troubles and Worries
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib has said that it is only natural for a lover to please his beloved. He will go out of his way to provide ease, comfort and happiness. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله loves us; but how is it that the beloved is inflicted with difficulties and anxieties? The answer is obvious. There is absolutely no one in the world, not even a Prophet, a king, a saint or a millionaire who is immune from worries and hardships. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has created the world in such a manner where man experiences grief and joy, health and illness, comfort and discomfort; the nature of the world is that we will experience various challenges. Pure joy and happiness will only be attained in Jannah; Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله states in the Holy Qur’ān;
In Jannah, there will be no fear nor any grief.
It is therefore impossible for a man to be free from worries and adversities. We need to understand that this is the order of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and as slaves, we have to submit to His decisions. When a believer is faced with difficulties and in this state repents to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, acknowledges his helplessness and thereafter begs for divine assistance; this is a mercy from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله because the believer does not curse his fate nor question why he has been afflicted. Notwithstanding the anxieties, he offers his Salaah with greater sincerity, punctuality and concentration. He increases his devotions and becomes more humble. This type of mindset is indicative of the attachment the believer has for his Rabb جل جلاله; his behaviour will surely attract the mercy, love and sympathy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. His humility and subservience will be a source of great reward.
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Īman and Righteous Deeds
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله says in the Holy Qur’ān:
‘Whoever works with righteousness, whether male or female, and has Īmān (faith), verily to him will We give a life that is good and pure. And We will bestow on (them) a reward in proportion to the best of their action.’
(Surah an-Nahl: Verse 97)
Those who have true Īmān involve themselves in righteous deeds that reforms their hearts and characters. They resign themselves to the decisions of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله (on either occasions of joy and grief) which earns them peace in this world and greater reward in the Aakhirah. When they experience blessings, they express happiness and gratitude.
When faced with distress, they accept the order of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and resort to patience because they have no choice in the matter. The consequence of their steadfastness in adversities is that they become resilient and courageous. Yes, they have full hope in reward which ultimately reduces the distress and anxiety – there is a happiness in their hearts at the order of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
Furthermore, the distinguishing characteristic of believers is that they resort to duaa in conditions of happiness or grief. However, the uniqueness of anxiety results in intense closeness to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله by submission. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله listens and He جل جلاله already knows our needs but He جل جلاله is desirous of us pleading for our needs.
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The Importance of Dua
The aspect of making duaa cannot be overemphasised. Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم has said:
إن الدعاء ينفع مما نزل ومما لم ينزل فعليكم عباد الله بالدعاء
‘Indeed supplication confers benefit to that which Allah Ta’ala has bestowed and to that which He has not bestowed. Therefore, servants of Allah hold firmly to supplication.’ (Tirmidhi #3548)
In another narration, Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم has said:
من لم يسئل الله يغضب عليه
‘He who does not ask from Allah, He will become angry with him.'(Tirmidhi #3373)
The important point is that we remove the disease of independence that is prevalent in us. Sadly, we have deprived ourselves by not asking Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for our needs. The Muslims throughout the world are being persecuted individually and collectively. Unimaginable atrocities are being committed against the believers but have we sincerely reflected on our shortcomings? We have to admit that our attitude has resulted in the anger of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله because we have adopted arrogance. Furthermore, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله desires that the slave be specific with regards to his needs. Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم has advised us that we ask Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله exactly what we are desirous of; we should not be vague in our supplications.
Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم has further emphasised:
الدعاء مخ العبادة
‘Invocation is the essence of worship.’ (Tirmidhi #3371)
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله states in the Holy Qur’ān:
“And he called out within the darkness, ‘There is no deity except You, exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.'”
(Surah Al Anbiyaa Verse: 87)
This is the duaa of Sayyiduna Yunus عليه السلام by which he invoked Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله whilst in the depths of the ocean within the belly of the whale. Thereafter, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله tells us after this verse, that He rescued Sayyiduna Yunus عليه السلام from distress and sadness.
“So, We responded to him and saved him from distress. And thus We do save the believers.”
(Surah Al Anbiyaa Verse: 88)
Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم has said regarding the one who supplicates with this duaa:
فإنه لم يدع بها رجل مسلم في شيء قط إلا استجاب الله له
“So indeed, no Muslim man supplicates with it for anything, ever, except Allah responds to him.”(Tirmidhi #3505)
We learn from the blessed teachings of Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم that he taught the Ummah to be proactive in our supplications.
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Sadness…
We learn from our scholars that we will all experience sadness at various times in our lives due to difficulties and challenges. We acknowledge the fact that sadness is not permanent; it is temporary. And we have generally overcome the obstacles due to the mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
There are three types of sadness;
1. Al-Huzn (الحزن) – refers to what has happened in the past.
2. Al-Ghamm (الغم) – this is a current state of sadness
3. Al-Hamm (الهم) – this is a form of sadness of what may happen in the future
A common problem associated with sadness is that people want to isolate themselves; this is a deception of Shaitān. Man is created to be sociable; isolation is not the cure. Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم has informed us that when we interact with people, we will certainly be impacted upon but our focus should be how to overcome the state of sadness rather than allowing it to consume us. Our Noble Master Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم has said; “The believer who mixes with people and endures their wrongdoing is better than the person who does not mix with people.”
Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم has further said:
‘There is no disease that Allah (Ta’ala جل جلاله) has created, except that He also has created its treatment.’
Very simply, we will invariably experience sadness in our lives. We need to understand that sadness is needed because this is the basis whereby we will become closer to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. However, we will slip into anxiety and depression when we become obsessed about things. We should not allow ourselves to ‘overthink’ because it will prevent us from realising our full potential.
Another aspect that we need to always keep in mind that it is our duty to carry out our responsibilities to the best of our abilities. However, the outcome of events are not in our control. Even our Master Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم intensely desired that his beloved uncle Abu Tālib become a believer but Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله decreed otherwise; we learn that even the Ambiyaa عليهم السلام could not control the outcome of their efforts. Some Ambiyaa عليهم السلام were successful, others were not. The factor that requires to be emphasised is that we need to do our duty; leave the results to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
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Leave the World for Salaah
Our temperament must reflect an attachment to the Aakhirah and detachment to the world. The greatest way in creating this concern is by being punctual on our Salaah. Amongst the impediments negatively affecting our ta’alluq with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is the lack of attention to the Adhān. How often have we noticed that we do not offer respect to the caller from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله; is this not depravation? The need is that immediately upon hearing the Adhān, we distance ourselves from whatever we are involved in. Nothing can be more honoured and important as the call towards Salaah and success. Our Noble Master Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم practically demonstrated his commitment to the institution of Salaah. He صلّى الله عليه وسلم became oblivious of everyone and proceeded immediately to respond to our Rabb جل جلاله. Have we apportioned this type of mindset with regards our Salaah? When we submit our desires to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, the worries of the world are eliminated by placing our heads in Sajdah.
Furthermore, let us exercise care and caution with our Wudhu. We need to recite the Masnoon duaas, save ourselves from worldly talk and avoiding wasting water. Have faith in the promise of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله that our sins are being forgiven by being careful when washing our face, hands and feet. When we are about to perform Salaah, ensure that we are mentally prepared. Let us remind ourselves that we will soon have to account for our actions in the Court of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. When we create this consciousness, our anxieties will be non-existent.
No doubt Shaitān will make every effort to distract and deviate us. Our duty is to be steadfast on Salaah even if we are pounded by stray thoughts; remember Shaitān only attacks where there is gold. When we exercise care and caution in the performance of our Salaah, this becomes the foundation of our ta’alluq with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Our prostrations will be a means of peace and tranquility. Undoubtedly, Salaah is attainment! Do we think that our seeking the mercy and praising Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله will not result in our forgiveness?
Ameerul Mu’mineen Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه has so eloquently advised; “O people! Practice (righteousness) for the Aakhirah, and your worldly affairs will be adequately attended to (by Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله).” What greater practice than adherence to Salaah?
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Seek Assistance From Allah Ta’ala Though Patience and Salaah
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has said in the Holy Qur’ān:
‘Seek help through Sabr (patience) and Salaah.’
(Surah al-Baqarah: 45)
This instruction from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله provides us with two vital tools to ease our worries and adversities. Patience and Salaah are potent stress busters and often neglected. Hazrat Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه has said that whenever Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلّى الله عليه وسلم was grieved by something, he used to resort to Salaah. Sabr is generally restricted to patience but there are other aspects which can be linked to the concept of Sabr; i.e. steadfastness, Mujāhadah (striving), endurance, perseverance in staying away from sins.
A component of Sabr is to resign oneself to the order of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله but equally important is the aspect of steadfastness in Deen and perseverance to achieve one’s objective irrespective of the challenges. When a believer adopts patience, it gives him control in circumstances where he feels overwhelmed. A believer understands that he cannot control the decisions of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله but he can certainly control his reactions to them. Patience eases difficulties and Salaah creates a mental balance.