Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy Quran that He (SWT) created humans to be engaged in endless struggle, “Indeed, We have created humankind in ˹constant˺ struggle.” (Surah Al-Balad Ayat 4). Never being satisfied and always struggling for something else are parts of human nature. Likewise, it is also human nature to have constant anxiety and grief about the matters of this world. Thus, we must learn how to cope with the anxiety and grief as this life will never be stress-free and anxiety-free. The only time we will experience peace and relaxation is when we In Sha Allah enter Jannah, which will truly be Darul Salaam or the ‘abode of peace’ for all of us.
One method from the Quran and Sunnah in handling stress and grief is to realize that Allah (SWT) is controlling everything. Therefore, the belief in Allah (SWT) and His (SWT) qadir or power is one of the strongest medicines to tackle anxiety and grief. Whatever happens to us in this duniya is due to the will of Allah (SWT). We see this example in the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) seeking refuge in the cave of thawr with Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) from the attacks of the Quraish. Abu Bakr (RA) felt scared but our Nabi (SAW) calmed him down with this reply, “˹It does not matter˺ if you ˹believers˺ do not support him, for Allah did, in fact, support him when the disbelievers drove him out ˹of Mecca˺ and he was only one of two. While they both were in the cave, he reassured his companion, “Do not worry; Allah is certainly with us.” So, Allah sent down His serenity upon the Prophet, supported him with forces you ˹believers˺ did not see, and made the word of the disbelievers lowest, while the Word of Allah is supreme. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.” (Surah At-Tawbah Ayat 40)
A second way to cope with stress and grief is to realize that this stress, anxiety, and grief is a blessing for us, as it acts as a kaffara or redemption for sins. Thus, there is a gain from this pain that we are experiencing.
The Prophet (SAW) reinforced this concept in the following hadith, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5641, 5642). Therefore, our pain and grief of this world shall save us from the unbearable pain of the akhirah, if we turn to Allah (SWT).
The Prophet (SAW) guides us to a third way in dealing with the anxieties of this world. In a hadith, our Nabi (SAW) directs, “Whoever is focused only on this world, Allah will confound his affairs and make him fear poverty constantly, and he will not get anything of this world except that which has been decreed for him. Whoever is focused on the Hereafter, Allah will settle his affairs for him and make him feel content with his lot, and his provision and worldly gains will undoubtedly come to him.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 4105).
This is an amazing hadith because of its simplicity. If we instead worry about the Hereafter and how to please Allah (SWT) and earn Jannah, then Allah (SWT) will look after all our stress and tensions of this world. Those focused on only this world and not concerned with the Hereafter, then Allah (SWT) will abandon them since they have abandoned Him (SWT). Also, this hadith is teaching us to set our priorities straight by concentrating on the Hereafter and pleasing Allah (SWT) leading to the stresses of this world becoming more manageable and insignificant.
The fourth method to alleviate stress is to ease the stress and suffering of our fellow Muslims. Our Nabi (SAW) gives the prescription in the following hadith, “If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. If anyone makes it easy for the one who is indebted to him (while finding it difficult to repay), Allah will make it easy for him in this worldly life and the Hereafter, and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter. Allah helps His slave as long as he helps his brother.” (Bulugh al-Maram, Book 16, Hadith 29)
For most of us, it’s difficult to help others in pain while we are also experiencing pain or stress at the same time. However, if we can step up and overcome our pain to help others in their time of grief, then Allah (SWT) will provide us with relief from our troubles. Helping others to cope with their anxiety or grief when we are also in agony increases our appreciation for all the blessings that Allah (SWT) has given us. The example of Musa (AS) fleeing from Pharoah to Madyan and him helping two women feed their goats during a time of distress for Musa (AS) shows us that Allah (SWT) rewarded his (AS) one act of charity many times over.
The final remedy for relieving anxiety is to make zikr or remembrance of Allah (SWT) and salaat and salaam upon our Nabi (SAW). A Sahabi asked the Prophet (SAW) about the frequency of invoking blessings upon him (SAW), “O Allah’s Messenger, I invoke blessings upon you very frequently. How much of my supplication should I devote to you?” He said, “As much as you like.” I said, “May it be a quarter?” He said, “As much as you like, but if you make an increase in that, it would be better for you.” I said, “May it be a half?” He said, “As much as you like, but in case you make an increase in it that would be better for you.” I said, “May these be two-thirds?” He said, “As much as you like, but if you make an increase in it, it would be better.” I said, “May I devote the whole of my supplication to you (that I make in my prayer)?” Thereupon he said, “In that case, you would be free from care and your sins would be forgiven.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhi).
Therefore, when in stress or grief, make salaat and salaam upon the Prophet (SAW), and our hearts will feel peace and ease. Also, our Nabi (SAW) told us that whenever we send salaat upon him (SAW), Allah will send 10 times the amount upon us. The times of anxiety and grief give all of us opportunities to reconnect with Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW).
