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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.
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