|
|
|
|
|
|
How Islam Deals With Sadness and Worry (part 1 of 4): The Human Condition
|
Description: Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest. (Quran 13:28)
By Aisha Stacey (© 2010 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 29 Mar 2010 - Last modified on 17 Mar 2011
Viewed: 16164 (daily average: 21) - Rating: 5 out of 5 - Rated by: 19
Printed: 492 - Emailed: 22 - Commented on: 0
Category: Articles
> The Benefits of Islam
> True Happiness and Inner Peace
|
|
._001.jpg) The average human being in the developed world battles
sadness and worry on a daily basis. While the majority of the world’s
population confront extreme poverty, famine, conflict and despair those of us
privileged to lead relatively easy lives must tackle fear, stress, and
anxiety. Why are those of us blessed with riches beyond compare immersed in
loneliness and desperation? We are living in a time of confusion, we try as we
might, yet gathering material possessions can do nothing to mend broken hearts,
and shattered souls.
Now, more than at any other time in human kind’s
history, stress, anxiety, and psychological problems are taking a tremendous
toll on the human condition. Religious beliefs should afford a sense of
comfort however; it seems that 21st century man has lost the ability
to connect to God. Pondering the meaning of life no longer overcomes a feeling
of abandonment. This desire to acquire material possessions, which in some way
validates our reason for being, has become the balm that soothes our troubled
souls. Why is this so?
We have the best of everything readily available, yet
the reality is we have nothing. Nothing that comforts the soul. Beautiful
furnishings do not hold our hand in the darkest night. The latest
entertainment centre does not wipe our tears or soothe our furrowed brow.
Those of us living with pain and grief, or afflicted with hardship feel
abandoned. We feel rudderless on an open sea. Huge waves threaten to engulf
us at any given moment. Our desires and debts stand at the apex and loom over
us, like great avenging angels, and we search for comfort in addictions and
self-destructive behaviour.
How do we step away from the precipice? In Islam, the
answer is remarkably simple. We turn back to our Creator. God knows what is
best for His creation. He has complete knowledge of the human psyche. He knows
of the pain, the despair, and the sadness. God is whom we are reaching for in
the darkness. When we put God back on our agenda, the pain will subside.
“Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest.”
(Quran 13:28)
Islam is not a religion filled with empty rituals and
hypercritical rules and regulations, although it can seem so if we forget just
what our real purpose in life is. We were created to worship God, nothing more
and nothing less. However, God, in His infinite mercy and wisdom did not
abandon us to this world filled with trials and tribulations. He armed us with
weapons. These weapons are more powerful than the arsenals of the great 21st
century armies. God gave us the Quran, and the authentic traditions of His
Prophet Muhammad.
The Quran is a book of guidance and the traditions of
Prophet Muhammad explain that guidance. The religion of Islam is all about
making and keeping a connection with God. This is how Islam deals with sadness
and worry. When the wave is about to come crashing down or the world begins to
spin out of control God is the one stable factor. The biggest mistake a believer
can make is to separate the religious and material aspects of his or her life.
“God has promised those who believe (in the Oneness of God)
and do deeds of righteousness, that for them there is forgiveness and a great
reward (i.e. Paradise).” (Quran 5:9)
When we accept with full submission, that we are no more
than slaves of God, put on this earth, to be tried, tested and tempted, life
suddenly takes on a completely new meaning. We recognize that God is the one
constant in our lives and we recognize that His promise is true. When we are overwhelmed
by worry and sadness, relief comes from turning to God. If we live our lives
according to His guidance, we gain the means and the ability to overcome any
despair. Prophet Muhammad declared that all the affairs of a believer are
good.
Indeed amazing are the affairs of a believer!
They are all for his benefit. If he is granted ease then he is thankful,
and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he
perseveres, and this is good for him.
Islam has the answer to all the problems that afflict
humankind. It asks us to look beyond the need for self-gratification, and
further still, beyond the need to acquire possessions. Islam reminds us that
this life is but a transient pause on the way to life everlasting. The life of
this world is but a fleeting moment, sometimes overflowing with moments of
great joy and happiness but at other times filled with sadness, sorrow, and
despair. This is the nature of life, and this is the human condition.
In the following three articles, we will examine
guidance from the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad in an endeavor
to discover just how Islam suggests that we deal with sadness and worry. There
are three key points that will allow the believer to free himself from the
shackles of 21st century life. They are patience, gratitude, and trust in God.
In the Arabic language, sabr, shukr and tawwakul.
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear,
hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient
ones.” (Quran 2:155)
“Therefore, remember Me (God) and I will remember you, and be
grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.”
(Quran 2:152)
“If God helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes
you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in God (Alone) let
believers put their trust.” (Quran 3:160)
|
How Islam Deals With Sadness and Worry (part 2 of 4): Patience
|
Description: Happiness in this life and our salvation in the hereafter depend on patience.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2010 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 05 Apr 2010 - Last modified on 11 Apr 2010
Viewed: 11380 (daily average: 15) - Rating: 5 out of 5 - Rated by: 6
Printed: 432 - Emailed: 10 - Commented on: 0
Category: Articles
> The Benefits of Islam
> True Happiness and Inner Peace
|
|
._001.jpg) Sadness and worry are part of the human condition. Life
is a series of moments. At the two extremes are joyful moments that make our
hearts sing with gladness and dark moments that plunge us into sadness and
worry. In between is real life; the highs, the lows, the mundane and boring,
the sweetness, and light. It is in these times that the believer must try to
establish a connection to God.
The believer must forge a bond that is unbreakable.
When the joy of life fills our hearts and minds we must not forget that it is a
blessing from God and equally when we are faced with sadness and worry we must realize
that this too is from God, even though at first glance we may not see the
blessing.
God is the Most Wise and the Most Just. Whatever
condition we find ourselves in, and no matter what we are forced to confront, it
is imperative that we open our eyes to the fact that God knows what is good for
us. Though we shy away from facing our fears and worries, it may be that we
hate a thing that is good for us and desire something that can only lead to
ruin and damnation.
“...and it may be that you dislike a thing that is good for
you and that you like a thing that is bad for you. God knows but you do not
know.” (Quran 2:216)
The life of this world was designed by our Creator to maximize
our chances of living a blissful life in the Hereafter. When we face trials,
they help us grow and mature into human beings who are able to function
effortlessly in this transient world.
God has not abandoned us in face of the temptations and
trials we face in this world, He has equipped us with potent weapons. Three of
the most important are patience, gratefulness, and trust. The great Islamic
scholar of the 14th century CE, Ibnul Qayyim said that our happiness
in this life and our salvation in the Hereafter depend on patience.
“Verily! I have rewarded them this Day for their patience;
they are indeed the ones that are successful.” (Quran 23:111)
“...to be firm or patient in pain or suffering, and adversity,
and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God
fearing.” (Quran 2:177)
The Arabic word for patience is sabr and it comes
from a root word meaning to stop, detain, or refrain. Ibnul Qayyim explained
that having patience meant having the ability to stop ourselves from
despairing, to refrain from complaining, and to control ourselves in times of
sadness and worry. Prophet Muhammad’s son in law Ali ibn Abu Talib defined
patience as “seeking God’s help”.
Whenever we are beset by sadness and worry our first reaction
should always be turning to God. By recognizing His Greatness and Omnipotence,
we begin to understand that God alone can ease our troubled souls. God Himself
advised us to call on Him.
“And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call
on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter
impious speech against) His Names.” (Quran 7:180)
Prophet Muhammad encouraged us to call on God by all of His
most beautiful names. In his own supplications, he is known to have said, “Oh
God, I ask you by every name that You have named yourself, or that You have
revealed in Your book, or that You have taught any of Your creation, or that
You have kept hidden in the unseen knowledge with Yourself.”
In times of sorrow and stress, contemplating the names
of God can bring great relief. It can also help us focus on being calm and
patient. It is important to understand that although the believer is
encouraged not to thrash about in grief and anguish or to complain about the
stresses and problems, he is allowed to turn to God and supplicate to Him and
to ask Him for relief.
Human beings are frail. Our tears fall, our hearts
break and the pain is sometimes almost unbearable. Even the prophets, whose
connection to God was unbreakable, felt their hearts constrict in fear or
pain. They too turned their faces to God and begged for relief. However,
their complaints were surrounded with pure patience and pure acceptance of whatever
fate God had decreed.
When Prophet Jacob despaired of ever seeing his sons
Joseph or Benjamin he turned to God, and the Quran tells us that he beseeched God
for relief. Prophet Jacob knew that there was no point in raging against the
world, he knew that God loves and protects those who are patient.
“He said: ‘I only complain of my grief and sorrow to God, and
I know from God that which you know not.’” (Quran 12:86)
Quran also tells us that Prophet Job turned to God
begging of His mercy. He was impoverished, stricken with disease, and he lost
his family, friends, and livelihood yet he bore all this with patience and
forbearance and he turned to God.
“And (remember) Job, when he cried to his Lord, ‘Verily,
distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show
mercy.’ So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him,
and We restored his family to him (that he had lost), and the like thereof
along with them, as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all who worship
Us (God).” (Quran 21: 83-84)
Patience means accepting what is beyond our control. In
times of stress and anxiety, being able to surrender to the will of God is a
relief beyond measure. This does not mean that we sit back and let life pass
by. No! It means that we strive to please God in all aspects of our life, in
our work and play, in our family life and in our personal endeavors.
However, when things don’t go the way we planned or the
way we wanted, even when it seems that fears and worries are pushing us under,
we accept what God has decreed and continue to strive to please Him. Being
patient is hard work; it does not always come naturally or easily. Prophet
Muhammad, may God praise him, said, “Whoever tries to be patient then God
will help him to be patient”.
It becomes easy for us to exercise patience when we realize
that it is impossible to count all the blessings God has bestowed upon us. The
air we breathe, the sunshine on our faces, the wind through our hair, the rain
on the parched earth and the glorious Quran, God’s words to us are all among
the innumerable blessings of God upon us. Remembering God and contemplating His
greatness is the key to patience, and patience is a key to Paradise
everlasting, God’s greatest blessing for the fragile creatures called
humankind.
|
How Islam Deals With Sadness and Worry (part 3 of 4): Gratitude
|
Description: Give thanks every single day for His blessings upon you.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2010 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 05 Apr 2010 - Last modified on 11 Apr 2010
Viewed: 9193 (daily average: 12) - Rating: 5 out of 5 - Rated by: 7
Printed: 428 - Emailed: 6 - Commented on: 0
Category: Articles
> The Benefits of Islam
> True Happiness and Inner Peace
|
|
As fragile human beings, we are often swamped by fears
and anxiety. At times sadness and worry threaten to take over our lives.
These emotions can become so consuming that we forget our primary purpose in
life, which is to worship God. When pleasing God is at the centre of all our
thoughts, actions and deeds, then sadness and worry can have no place in our
lives.
In the previous article, we discussed about dealing with
sadness and worry by striving to be patient. We also talked about counting the
blessings God has bestowed upon us as a way of encouraging patience. Another
way of overcoming sadness and worry is by being grateful to God for His
countless blessings. God explains in the Quran, that true worshippers are
those who are grateful and give thanks.
“Therefore, remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I
will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favors on you) and
never be ungrateful to Me.” (Quran 2:152)
There are many ways to express gratitude. The first and
foremost way is to worship God in the manner that He has prescribed. The Five Pillars
of Islam were ordained upon us by
God and they guide us to worship Him easily. When we fulfill our obligations
towards God, just how truly blessed we are becomes obvious.
When we bear witness that, there is no god worthy of
worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His final messenger we are being
grateful for being blessed with Islam. When a believer prostrates before God
in quiet, joyful prayer, we are expressing gratitude. During the fast of
Ramadan, we become thankful for food and water by realizing that God provides
our sustenance. If a believer is able to make the pilgrimage to the House of
God in Mecca, it is indeed a cause for thankfulness. The Hajj journey can be
long, difficult, and expensive.
The believer also expresses gratitude by giving
charity. Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, advised his followers to give
charity everyday to express gratitude to God for every single joint or faculty
in his body. Imam Ibn Rajab, a
noted Islamic scholar of the 7th Islamic century said, "Human beings are
obligated to give thanks to God every single day for His blessings on them by
performing acts of virtue and charity on a daily basis”
If we remember God by reading the Quran and
contemplating its meanings, we gain a greater understanding of the life of this
world and the hereafter. Consequently, we begin to understand the transient
nature of this life and the fact that even the trials and tribulations are
blessings from God. God’s wisdom and justice is inherent in even the direst
situations.
How often have we heard people with debilitating
diseases or terrible disabilities thank God for their conditions, or speak
about pain and suffering bringing blessings and goodness into their lives? How
often have we listened to others speak about horrific experiences and ordeals,
yet continue to thank God?
In times of sadness and worry, when we are feeling alone
and distressed, God is our only refuge. When sadness and worry become
unbearable, when there is nothing left but, stress, fear, anxiety, and misery,
we instinctively turn to God. We know His words are true, we know His promise
is true!
“..if you are grateful, I will add more favors unto you.”
(Quran 14:7)
God knows the wisdom behind why good things happen to
bad people, or why bad things happen to good people. In general, whatever
causes us to turn to God is good and we should be grateful for it. In
times of crisis, people are drawn closer to God, whereas in times of comfort we
often forget from where the comfort originated. God is the Provider and He
is the Most Generous. God wants to reward us with life everlasting and if
pain and suffering can guarantee Paradise, then trials and tribulations are a
blessing. Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, said, “If God wants to
do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials.”
Prophet Muhammad also said, “No misfortune or disease
befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress – not even a thorn that
pricks him – but God will expiate for some of his sins because of that.”
We are imperfect human beings. We can read these words, we can even understand
the sentiment behind them, but acknowledging the wisdom behind every situation
and being grateful for our trials is very difficult. It is much easier to fall
into sadness and worry. However, God, the Most Merciful, gives us clear
guidelines and promises two things, if we worship Him and follow His guidance
we will be rewarded with Paradise and that with hardship comes ease.
“So verily, with hardship, there is ease.” (Quran 94:5)
This verse is part of a chapter of the Quran revealed
when difficulties in Prophet Muhammad’s mission were weighing him down and
causing him distress. The words of God comforted and reassured him just as
they comfort us today. God reminds us that with hardship comes ease. Hardship
is never absolute; it is always accompanied by ease. For that, we should be
grateful. For that, we need to express our gratitude.
We must accept the trials, triumphs, and tribulations that
are part of being alive. Each one of them, from the highest highs to the lowest
lows is a blessing from God. A blessing designed uniquely for each individual
person. When we are overcome by sadness or worry we must turn to God, strive
to be patient and grateful and put our trust in God. For God is the most
trustworthy. By trusting Him, we can overcome any moment of anxiety and
conquer any sadness or worry that tries to creep into our lives.
|
How Islam Deals with Sadness and Worry (part 4 of 4): Trust
|
Description: And in God Alone let believers put their trust.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2010 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 12 Apr 2010 - Last modified on 20 Apr 2010
Viewed: 9208 (daily average: 12) - Rating: 4.9 out of 5 - Rated by: 14
Printed: 431 - Emailed: 18 - Commented on: 0
Category: Articles
> The Benefits of Islam
> True Happiness and Inner Peace
|
|
_001.jpg) As we move into the new century, those of us privileged
to live above the poverty line are faced with a unique set of challenges. We
have food enough to eat, shelter from the elements and most of us can even
afford life’s little luxuries. Physically we have all that we need, but
spiritually and emotionally, we are bereft. Our minds are filled with sadness and
worry. Stress and anxiety mount. As we gather possessions, we wonder why we
are not happy. As we embark on yet another holiday we feel alone and
desperate.
A life that is far removed from God is a sad life indeed.
No matter how much money we accumulate, or how grand our house is, if God is
not the centre of our lives then happiness will elude us forever. True
happiness can only be found when we at least attempt to fulfil our purpose in
life. Human beings exist to worship God. God wants us to be happy, in this
life and in the Hereafter and He has given us the key to real happiness. It is
not a secret or a mystery. It is not an enigma or a puzzle, it is Islam.
“And I (God) created not the jinn and humankind except that
they should worship Me.” (Quran 51:56)
The religion of Islam explains clearly our purpose in
life and gives us guidelines to follow to make our search for happiness easier.
The Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him,
are our guide books for a life completely devoid of sadness and worry. This
however does not mean that we will not be tried and tested because God states
very clearly in Quran that He will test us. Our lives will be filled with
situations that require us to reach out for God and depend upon Him. God
promises us that He will reward those who are patient, He asks us to be
grateful to Him, and He tells us that He loves those who put their trust in
Him.
“...put your trust in God, certainly, God loves those who put
their trust in Him.” (Quran 3:159)
“The believers are only those who, when God is mentioned, feel
a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them,
they increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord Alone.” (Quran
8:2)
Life is filled with triumphs and tribulations. Sometimes
it is a roller coaster ride. One day our faith is high and sweet, the next it
has plummeted and we feel sad and worried. The way to even out our journey is
to trust that God knows what is best for us. Even when seemingly bad things happen,
there is a purpose and wisdom behind them. Sometimes the purpose is known only
to God, sometimes it is obvious.
Consequently, when we realise that there is no power or
strength except from God, we can begin to relax. Prophet Muhammad, may God
praise him, once reminded one of his young companions that God was all-powerful
and nothing happens without His permission.
"Young man, uphold the commands of God, and He
will protect you in this life and in the next. Uphold the commands of God and He
will help you. When you ask for anything, ask it from God, and if you seek
help, seek help from God. Know that if people were to unite to do you some
benefit, they could benefit you only what God has recorded for you, and if they
were to unite to do you some harm, they could harm you only with what God has
recorded for you. The pens are withdrawn and the pages are dry.”
When we are mindful of the fact that God has control over
all things and that He ultimately wants us to live forever in Paradise, we can
begin to leave our sadness and worry behind. God loves us, and wants what is
best for us. God has given us clear guidance and He is the Most Merciful, and
the Most Forgiving. If things do not go according to our plan, if we do not
see the benefits of the challenges we face in life it can become very difficult
not to despair and fall prey to stress and anxiety. At this point, we must
learn to trust God.
“If God helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes
you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in God (Alone) let
believers put their trust.” (Quran 3:160)
“Say: "He is my Lord! None has the right to be
worshipped but He! In Him is my trust, and to Him will be my return with
repentance.” (Quran 13:30)
“And we shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt...,
and in God (Alone) let those who trust, put their trust.” (Quran 14:12)
As believers, our trust in God must be constant, in all
situations, good, bad, easy, or difficult. Whatever happens in this world
happens by the permission of God. He provides sustenance and He is able to
withdraw it. He is the master of life and death. God determines whether we
are rich or poor and whether we are healthy or ill. We thank God for granting
us the ability to strive and to go out and acquire that which is good for us. Whatever
our circumstances may be we need to thank and praise God for them. If need be
we must bear our difficulties with patience and above all we must love and
trust God. When life becomes dark and difficult we must love God more; when we
are overcome by sadness and worry we must trust God more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Online daily:
From to
(according to your computer time)
|
| |
Your Favorites |
 |
|
Your favorites list is empty. You may add articles to this list using the article tools. |
| |
Your History |
|
|
|
