Quote:
How A Muslim Should Deal With Stress and Anxiety
Stress is life. Stress is anything that causes mental, physical, or
spiritual tension. There is no running away from it. All that matters
is how you deal with it. This article does not deal with the factors
of stress, anxiety, and depression, nor is it a clinical advice. If
you feel depressed, you are not alone. It has been estimated that 75
to 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians in America are
for stress-related problems. This is why it is wise to consult a
doctor if you are having physical symptoms of stress. However, here
are some tips that can help from a spiritual perspective.
1. Ask Allah to help.
' Dua (supplication) is the essence of worship' ( hadith in Tirmidhi).
Turn each anxiety, each fear and each concern into a Dua
(supplication) . Look at it as another reason to submit to God and be
in Sajdah (prostration) , during which you are closest to Allah. God
listens and already knows what is in your heart, but He wants you to
ask Him for what you want.
"Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loveth not
those who trespass beyond bounds. Do not make mischief on the earth,
after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with fear. And
longing (in your hearts): for the mercy of Allah is (always) near to
those who do good"
(The Quran chapter 7:verse 55-56).
2. DO YOUR PART
Muslims must never become fatalistic. Although we know only Allah is
in control and that He has decreed all things, we are each
responsible for making the right choices and doing the right thing in
all situations of our lives. We must work to alleviate the hardships
we, our families and our communities face.
One day Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, noticed a
Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin,
"Why don't you tie down your camel?" The Bedouin answered, "I put my
trust in Allah." The Prophet then said, "Tie your camel first, then
put your trust in Allah" (hadith in Thirmidhi).
"Verily Allah does not change men's condition unless they change
their inner selves" (The Quran chapter 13: verse 11).
Never underestimate your abilities. Understand the concept of Barakah
(blessings from Allah) and remember that Allah can and Insha Allah
will expand them if you are sincerely exerting your energies for the
right path.
3. Remember that human responsibility is limited
While we need to carry out our duty to the best of our abilities,
always remember that you don't control the outcome of events. Even
the Prophets did not control the outcome of their efforts. Some were
successful, others were not. Once you have done your duty, leave the
results to Allah. Regardless of the results of your efforts, you will
be rewarded for the part you have played.
4. PRAY FIVE TIMES A DAY!
"And your Lord says: 'Call on Me; I will answer your (prayer)..."
(The Quran chapter 40: verse 60)
Use the five daily prayers as a means to become more Hereafter-
oriented and less attached to this temporary world. Start distancing
yourself as soon as you hear Adhan, the call to prayer. When you
perform Wudu, keep repeating Shahada, the declaration of faith, as
water drops slip down your face, hands, arms, and hair. When you
stand ready to pray, mentally prepare yourself to leave this world
and all of its worries and stresses behind you.
The more you return, the more Allah will reward you for it. Also,
make sure your Sajdas (prostrations) are talking Sajdas, in which you
are really connecting to God and seeking His Mercy, praising Him, and
asking His forgiveness.
5. Be Patient
'Seek help through Sabr and Salat' (The Quran chapter 2: verse45).
This instruction from Allah provides us with two critical tools that
can ease our worries and pain. Patience and prayer are two oft-
neglected stressbusters. Sabr is often translated as patience but it
is not just that. It includes self-control, perseverance, endurance,
and a focused struggle to achieve one's goal. Unlike patience, which
implies resignation, the concept of Sabr includes a duty to remain
steadfast to achieve your goals despite all odds.
Being patient gives us control in situations where we feel we have
little or no control. 'We cannot control what happens to us but we
can control our reaction to our circumstances' is the mantra of many
modern-day self-help books. Patience helps us keep our mind and
attitude towards our difficulties in check.
6. Allah is all the Provider
"How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It
is Allah Who feeds them and you, for He hears and knows all things
(The Quran chapter 29: verse 60)."
By reminding yourself that He is the Provider, you will remember that
getting a job or providing for your family in these economically and
politically challenging times, when Muslims are often the last to be
hired and the first to be fired, is in God's Hands, not yours. As
Allah says in the Quran:
"And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And
if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For
Allah will surely accomplish His purpose. Verily, for all things has
Allah appointed a due proportion (The Quran chapter 65:3).
If you fear for your physical safety and security, remember that only
Allah gives life and takes it back and, that He has appointed the
time for it. No one can harm you except if Allah wills. As He says in
the Quran:
7. Remember that life is short
It's easy to get caught up in our own stress and anxiety. However, if
we remember that our life is short and temporary, and that the
everlasting life is in the Hereafter, this will put our worries in
perspective.
This belief in the transitory nature of the life of this world
reminds us that whatever difficulties, trials, anxieties, and grief
we suffer in this world are, Insha Allah, something we will only
experience for a short period of time. And more importantly, if we
handle these tests with patience, Allah will reward us for it. By
remembering Allah in the way He has taught us to, we are more likely
to gain acceptance of our prayers and His Mercy in times of
difficulty. We are communicating with the only One Who not only Hears
and Knows all, but Who can change our situation and give us the
patience to deal with our difficulties.
"Remember Me, and I shall remember you; be grateful to Me, and deny
Me not" (The Quran chapter 2:152).
8. Compare your dining table with that of those who don't have as
much as you do
The Prophet said: 'Whenever you see someone better than you in
wealth, face or figure, you should look at someone who is inferior to
you in these respects (so that you may thank Allah for His
blessings)'.
(hadith in Bukhari, Muslim).
Next time you sit down to eat, eye the table carefully. Check out the
selection of food, the quality, the taste, the quantity, and then
think of the millions of others who don't have even half as much. The
Prophet's Hadith reminds us of this so that we can appreciate and
thank God for all that we have.
Also remember that the Prophet only encouraged us to compare
ourselves to others in two respects: in our Islamic knowledge and
level of belief in God (Deen). In these two areas, we should compare
ourselves with those who have more than what we do.
9. Pray in congregation
Pray with other people instead of alone. If you can't pray all five
prayers in congregation, at least find one or two prayers you can
pray with others. If you are away, establish Jamat in your own
family. During the Prophet's time, even though the Muslims endured
great persecution, including physical beatings, they would sometimes
meet on the side of a mountain or valley and tried to pray together.
This is a great morale booster.
10. Make the Quran your Partner
Reading and listening to the Quran will help refresh our hearts and
our minds. Connecting to the Quran means connecting to God. Let it
be a means to heal your heart of stress and worries. Invest in
different recordings of the Quran and their translations.
"O humanity! There has come to you a direction from your Lord and a
cure for all [the ills] in men's hearts - and for those who believe,
a Guidance and a Mercy" (The Quran chapter 10:57).
11. Be thankful to Allah
"If you are grateful, I will give you more" (The Quran chapter 14:7).
Counting our blessings helps us not only be grateful for what we
have, but it also reminds us that we are so much better off than
millions of others, whether that is in terms of our health, family,
financial situation, or other aspects of our life. And being grateful
for all we have helps us maintain a positive attitude in the face of
worries and challenges we are facing almost daily.
12. ONE STEP AT A TIME
Ideals are wonderful things to pursue. But do that gradually. Think,
prioritize, plan, and move forward. One step at a time.
13. EFFORTS not Results Count in the Eyes of Allah
Our success depends on our sincere efforts to the best of our
abilities. It is the mercy of Allah that He does not demand results,
Alhamdu lillah. He is happy if He finds us making our best sincere
effort. Thank you Allah!
re-edited by Jamel-A.R.O (uk)
spiritual tension. There is no running away from it. All that matters
is how you deal with it. This article does not deal with the factors
of stress, anxiety, and depression, nor is it a clinical advice. If
you feel depressed, you are not alone. It has been estimated that 75
to 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians in America are
for stress-related problems. This is why it is wise to consult a
doctor if you are having physical symptoms of stress. However, here
are some tips that can help from a spiritual perspective.
1. Ask Allah to help.
' Dua (supplication) is the essence of worship' ( hadith in Tirmidhi).
Turn each anxiety, each fear and each concern into a Dua
(supplication) . Look at it as another reason to submit to God and be
in Sajdah (prostration) , during which you are closest to Allah. God
listens and already knows what is in your heart, but He wants you to
ask Him for what you want.
"Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loveth not
those who trespass beyond bounds. Do not make mischief on the earth,
after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with fear. And
longing (in your hearts): for the mercy of Allah is (always) near to
those who do good"
(The Quran chapter 7:verse 55-56).
2. DO YOUR PART
Muslims must never become fatalistic. Although we know only Allah is
in control and that He has decreed all things, we are each
responsible for making the right choices and doing the right thing in
all situations of our lives. We must work to alleviate the hardships
we, our families and our communities face.
One day Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, noticed a
Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin,
"Why don't you tie down your camel?" The Bedouin answered, "I put my
trust in Allah." The Prophet then said, "Tie your camel first, then
put your trust in Allah" (hadith in Thirmidhi).
"Verily Allah does not change men's condition unless they change
their inner selves" (The Quran chapter 13: verse 11).
Never underestimate your abilities. Understand the concept of Barakah
(blessings from Allah) and remember that Allah can and Insha Allah
will expand them if you are sincerely exerting your energies for the
right path.
3. Remember that human responsibility is limited
While we need to carry out our duty to the best of our abilities,
always remember that you don't control the outcome of events. Even
the Prophets did not control the outcome of their efforts. Some were
successful, others were not. Once you have done your duty, leave the
results to Allah. Regardless of the results of your efforts, you will
be rewarded for the part you have played.
4. PRAY FIVE TIMES A DAY!
"And your Lord says: 'Call on Me; I will answer your (prayer)..."
(The Quran chapter 40: verse 60)
Use the five daily prayers as a means to become more Hereafter-
oriented and less attached to this temporary world. Start distancing
yourself as soon as you hear Adhan, the call to prayer. When you
perform Wudu, keep repeating Shahada, the declaration of faith, as
water drops slip down your face, hands, arms, and hair. When you
stand ready to pray, mentally prepare yourself to leave this world
and all of its worries and stresses behind you.
The more you return, the more Allah will reward you for it. Also,
make sure your Sajdas (prostrations) are talking Sajdas, in which you
are really connecting to God and seeking His Mercy, praising Him, and
asking His forgiveness.
5. Be Patient
'Seek help through Sabr and Salat' (The Quran chapter 2: verse45).
This instruction from Allah provides us with two critical tools that
can ease our worries and pain. Patience and prayer are two oft-
neglected stressbusters. Sabr is often translated as patience but it
is not just that. It includes self-control, perseverance, endurance,
and a focused struggle to achieve one's goal. Unlike patience, which
implies resignation, the concept of Sabr includes a duty to remain
steadfast to achieve your goals despite all odds.
Being patient gives us control in situations where we feel we have
little or no control. 'We cannot control what happens to us but we
can control our reaction to our circumstances' is the mantra of many
modern-day self-help books. Patience helps us keep our mind and
attitude towards our difficulties in check.
6. Allah is all the Provider
"How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It
is Allah Who feeds them and you, for He hears and knows all things
(The Quran chapter 29: verse 60)."
By reminding yourself that He is the Provider, you will remember that
getting a job or providing for your family in these economically and
politically challenging times, when Muslims are often the last to be
hired and the first to be fired, is in God's Hands, not yours. As
Allah says in the Quran:
"And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And
if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For
Allah will surely accomplish His purpose. Verily, for all things has
Allah appointed a due proportion (The Quran chapter 65:3).
If you fear for your physical safety and security, remember that only
Allah gives life and takes it back and, that He has appointed the
time for it. No one can harm you except if Allah wills. As He says in
the Quran:
7. Remember that life is short
It's easy to get caught up in our own stress and anxiety. However, if
we remember that our life is short and temporary, and that the
everlasting life is in the Hereafter, this will put our worries in
perspective.
This belief in the transitory nature of the life of this world
reminds us that whatever difficulties, trials, anxieties, and grief
we suffer in this world are, Insha Allah, something we will only
experience for a short period of time. And more importantly, if we
handle these tests with patience, Allah will reward us for it. By
remembering Allah in the way He has taught us to, we are more likely
to gain acceptance of our prayers and His Mercy in times of
difficulty. We are communicating with the only One Who not only Hears
and Knows all, but Who can change our situation and give us the
patience to deal with our difficulties.
"Remember Me, and I shall remember you; be grateful to Me, and deny
Me not" (The Quran chapter 2:152).
8. Compare your dining table with that of those who don't have as
much as you do
The Prophet said: 'Whenever you see someone better than you in
wealth, face or figure, you should look at someone who is inferior to
you in these respects (so that you may thank Allah for His
blessings)'.
(hadith in Bukhari, Muslim).
Next time you sit down to eat, eye the table carefully. Check out the
selection of food, the quality, the taste, the quantity, and then
think of the millions of others who don't have even half as much. The
Prophet's Hadith reminds us of this so that we can appreciate and
thank God for all that we have.
Also remember that the Prophet only encouraged us to compare
ourselves to others in two respects: in our Islamic knowledge and
level of belief in God (Deen). In these two areas, we should compare
ourselves with those who have more than what we do.
9. Pray in congregation
Pray with other people instead of alone. If you can't pray all five
prayers in congregation, at least find one or two prayers you can
pray with others. If you are away, establish Jamat in your own
family. During the Prophet's time, even though the Muslims endured
great persecution, including physical beatings, they would sometimes
meet on the side of a mountain or valley and tried to pray together.
This is a great morale booster.
10. Make the Quran your Partner
Reading and listening to the Quran will help refresh our hearts and
our minds. Connecting to the Quran means connecting to God. Let it
be a means to heal your heart of stress and worries. Invest in
different recordings of the Quran and their translations.
"O humanity! There has come to you a direction from your Lord and a
cure for all [the ills] in men's hearts - and for those who believe,
a Guidance and a Mercy" (The Quran chapter 10:57).
11. Be thankful to Allah
"If you are grateful, I will give you more" (The Quran chapter 14:7).
Counting our blessings helps us not only be grateful for what we
have, but it also reminds us that we are so much better off than
millions of others, whether that is in terms of our health, family,
financial situation, or other aspects of our life. And being grateful
for all we have helps us maintain a positive attitude in the face of
worries and challenges we are facing almost daily.
12. ONE STEP AT A TIME
Ideals are wonderful things to pursue. But do that gradually. Think,
prioritize, plan, and move forward. One step at a time.
13. EFFORTS not Results Count in the Eyes of Allah
Our success depends on our sincere efforts to the best of our
abilities. It is the mercy of Allah that He does not demand results,
Alhamdu lillah. He is happy if He finds us making our best sincere
effort. Thank you Allah!
re-edited by Jamel-A.R.O (uk)
If you have time, please read it. It's really, really, really worth reading. Trust me.
I don't know who wrote this article. Special credits go to whoever he or she is. This was just e-mailed to me by my father.
