Dealing with worries and stress from an islamic perspective

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Dealing with Worries and StressDealing with Worries and Stress
Islamic PerspectiveIslamic Perspective
Presented byPresented by
Dr. KHALID AL-DOSSARYDr. KHALID AL-DOSSARY
October, 2012October, 2012
‫الدعوية‬ ‫المفكرة‬ ‫موقع‬ ‫مكتبة‬ ‫في‬ ‫الملف‬ ‫تجد‬www.dawahmemo.com

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OutlineOutline
 IntroductionIntroduction
 Kinds of Worry and StressKinds of Worry and Stress
 Islam's Treatment for Anxiety and WorryIslam's Treatment for Anxiety and Worry
 Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim onWritings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on
Treating Distress and GriefTreating Distress and Grief
 Worthwhile WorriesWorthwhile Worries
 ReminderReminder
 Du'aa' (Supplication)Du'aa' (Supplication)

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Kinds of Stress and WorryKinds of Stress and Worry
1.1. Distress suffered because of the calamitiesDistress suffered because of the calamities
that happen in this worldthat happen in this world;;
chronic or serious diseases, disobedience ofchronic or serious diseases, disobedience of
children towards their parents, hostility onchildren towards their parents, hostility on
the part of one’s wife or mistreatment on thethe part of one’s wife or mistreatment on the
part of one’s husband.part of one’s husband.
2.2. Some kinds of anxiety result from fearsSome kinds of anxiety result from fears
about what may lie ahead in the future;about what may lie ahead in the future;
for example a father may be worried aboutfor example a father may be worried about
what will happen to his children after hewhat will happen to his children after he
dies, especially if they are weak and he hasdies, especially if they are weak and he has
nothing to leave behind for them.nothing to leave behind for them.

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3.3. Kinds of distress that result from wrongfulKinds of distress that result from wrongful
treatment at the hands of otherstreatment at the hands of others
Mistreatment by one's own relatives, as theMistreatment by one's own relatives, as the
poet said: “The wrong suffered at the handspoet said: “The wrong suffered at the hands
of those who are closely-related is moreof those who are closely-related is more
painful to bear than a blow from a powerfulpainful to bear than a blow from a powerful
sword.”sword.”
4.4. Kinds of anxieties that may result fromKinds of anxieties that may result from
committing sinscommitting sins
The distress suffered after shedding bloodThe distress suffered after shedding blood
wrongfully; or the anxiety of a woman whowrongfully; or the anxiety of a woman who
is pregnant as a result of fornication oris pregnant as a result of fornication or
adultery.adultery.

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1.1. The distress suffered by theThe distress suffered by the
propagator to Islampropagator to Islam
 Taif IncidentTaif Incident
 Night Journey (Night Journey (Israa’Israa’))

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2.2. Concern about acts of worshipConcern about acts of worship
 The Call to prayerThe Call to prayer

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3.3. The anxiety faced by the truthfulThe anxiety faced by the truthful
person when he is disbelieved.person when he is disbelieved.
 The prophetsThe prophets

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4.4. The anxiety suffered by an innocentThe anxiety suffered by an innocent
person when false accusations areperson when false accusations are
made.made.
 Al-Ifk IncidentAl-Ifk Incident

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5.5. A man’s worry about what may happenA man’s worry about what may happen
to his wife and children after his death.to his wife and children after his death.

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6.6. Anxiety because of a loanAnxiety because of a loan

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7.7. Anxiety caused by dreamsAnxiety caused by dreams

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Islam's Treatment for Anxiety andIslam's Treatment for Anxiety and
WorryWorry
1.1. Equipping oneself with EEquipping oneself with Eemaanemaan (faith),(faith),
accompanied by righteous deeds.accompanied by righteous deeds.
2.2. Thinking of how the Muslim may earnThinking of how the Muslim may earn
expiation for his sins, purify his heart andexpiation for his sins, purify his heart and
raise his status, when he is stricken withraise his status, when he is stricken with
distress and worry in this life.distress and worry in this life.
3.3. Understanding the reality of this world.Understanding the reality of this world.
4.4. Following the examples of the Prophets andFollowing the examples of the Prophets and
the righteous.the righteous.
5.5. Making the Hereafter one’s main concern.Making the Hereafter one’s main concern.
6.6. A surprisingly effective remedy:A surprisingly effective remedy:
remembering death.remembering death.

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Islam's Treatment for Anxiety andIslam's Treatment for Anxiety and
WorryWorry
7.7. Praying to Allaah, may He be exalted.Praying to Allaah, may He be exalted.
8.8. Praying for the Prophet (peace andPraying for the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) (i.e.,blessings of Allaah be upon him) (i.e.,
saying “saying “Allaahumma salli ‘ala MuhammadAllaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad,”,”
etc.)etc.)
9.9. Relying upon Allaah and entrusting mattersRelying upon Allaah and entrusting matters
to Him.to Him.
10.10. Other ways of dispelling distress andOther ways of dispelling distress and
anxiety include paying attention to what isanxiety include paying attention to what is
beneficial, focusing on what matters todaybeneficial, focusing on what matters today
and no longer worrying about what mayand no longer worrying about what may
happen tomorrow or regretting whathappen tomorrow or regretting what
happened yesterday.happened yesterday.

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Islam's Treatment for Anxiety and WorryIslam's Treatment for Anxiety and Worry
11.11. One of the most effective ways of findingOne of the most effective ways of finding
comfort and contentment is to remembercomfort and contentment is to remember
Allaah frequently.Allaah frequently.
12.12. Seeking refuge in prayer.Seeking refuge in prayer.
13.13. Another thing that may dispel worry isAnother thing that may dispel worry is
jihaad for the sake of Allaah.jihaad for the sake of Allaah.
14.14. Speaking about the blessings of Allaah,Speaking about the blessings of Allaah,
both those which are obvious and thoseboth those which are obvious and those
which are hidden.which are hidden.
15.15. Keeping oneself busy with useful work orKeeping oneself busy with useful work or
the pursuit of beneficial knowledge.the pursuit of beneficial knowledge.

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16.16. Looking for the positive aspects of theLooking for the positive aspects of the
events in which the person tends to seeevents in which the person tends to see
only things that he dislikes.only things that he dislikes.
17.17. Understanding the true value and shortnessUnderstanding the true value and shortness
of this life, and that time is too precious toof this life, and that time is too precious to
be wasted in stress and anxiety.be wasted in stress and anxiety.
18.18. Another beneficial measure is not to allowAnother beneficial measure is not to allow
one’s work and other duties to accumulate.one’s work and other duties to accumulate.
19.19. Constantly anticipating and being preparedConstantly anticipating and being prepared
for all possibilities.for all possibilities.
20.20. Another remedy is to consult to IslamicAnother remedy is to consult to Islamic
scholars and ask them for advice.scholars and ask them for advice.

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21.21. The person who is distressed or worriedThe person who is distressed or worried
should know that after hardship comesshould know that after hardship comes
easeease
22.22. Another remedy for distress is certain kindsAnother remedy for distress is certain kinds
of foodof food

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Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on TreatingWritings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on Treating
Distress and GriefDistress and Grief
Fifteen kinds of remedies through which AllaahFifteen kinds of remedies through which Allaah
may alleviate distress and grief:may alleviate distress and grief:
1.1. Tawheed al-RuboobiyyahTawheed al-Ruboobiyyah (Unity of Divine(Unity of Divine
Lordship)Lordship)
2.2. Tawheed al-UloohiyyahTawheed al-Uloohiyyah (Unity of Divinity)(Unity of Divinity)
3.3. Unity of belief, i.e.Unity of belief, i.e. Tawheed al-Asmaa’ wa’l-SiffaatTawheed al-Asmaa’ wa’l-Siffaat
(Unity of the Divine Names and Attributes).(Unity of the Divine Names and Attributes).
4.4. To declare that Allaah is far above mistreating HisTo declare that Allaah is far above mistreating His
slave or punishing him without any cause on theslave or punishing him without any cause on the
part of the slave himself.part of the slave himself.
5.5. Admission on the part of the slave that he is theAdmission on the part of the slave that he is the
wrongdoer.wrongdoer.

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6.6. Beseeching Allaah by the best of things, which areBeseeching Allaah by the best of things, which are
His Names and Attributes. Among the mostHis Names and Attributes. Among the most
comprehensive in meaning of His Names andcomprehensive in meaning of His Names and
Attributes are the NamesAttributes are the Names al-Hayyual-Hayyu (the Ever-(the Ever-
Living),Living), al-Qayoomal-Qayoom (the Eternal).(the Eternal).
7.7. Seeking the help of Allaah Alone.Seeking the help of Allaah Alone.
8.8. Putting onePutting one’’s hope in Allaah.s hope in Allaah.
9.9. Putting onePutting one’’s trust in Allaah and handing over alls trust in Allaah and handing over all
oneone’’s affairs to Him, recognizing that ones affairs to Him, recognizing that one’’ss
forelock is in His hand, that Allaah runs all oneforelock is in His hand, that Allaah runs all one’’ss
affairs as He wills, that His command is everaffairs as He wills, that His command is ever
executed and that His decree is just.executed and that His decree is just.

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9.9. Reading Qur’aan and pondering its meaning,Reading Qur’aan and pondering its meaning,
seeking consolation in it for all disasters, andseeking consolation in it for all disasters, and
seeking a cure in it for all diseases of the heartseeking a cure in it for all diseases of the heart
(i.e., spiritual or psychological diseases) for it(i.e., spiritual or psychological diseases) for it
washes away grief and heals distress and anxiety.washes away grief and heals distress and anxiety.
10.10. Seeking the forgiveness of Allaah.Seeking the forgiveness of Allaah.
11.11. RepentanceRepentance
12.12. Jihaad (striving for the sake of Allaah).Jihaad (striving for the sake of Allaah).
13.13. Salaat (prayer)Salaat (prayer)
14.14. Admitting that one has no power or strength atAdmitting that one has no power or strength at
all, and attributing them to the One Who holdsall, and attributing them to the One Who holds
them in His hand. Eternal).them in His hand. Eternal).

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Worthwhile WorriesWorthwhile Worries
1.1. A scholarA scholar’’s anxiety to resolve difficult issuess anxiety to resolve difficult issues
concerning which the Muslims need an answer.concerning which the Muslims need an answer.
Especially when the matter is very serious andEspecially when the matter is very serious and
there appears to be no solution.there appears to be no solution.
2.2. Another example is the concern of the MuslimAnother example is the concern of the Muslim
leader about the problems of the people under hisleader about the problems of the people under his
care.care.

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3.3. The more any decision had to do with the fate ofThe more any decision had to do with the fate of
the Muslims, the greater the anxiety and stressthe Muslims, the greater the anxiety and stress
involved.involved.
Abd al-Rahmaan ibnAbd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘‘Awf was entrusted with theAwf was entrusted with the
task of selecting the next khalifah for the Muslims,task of selecting the next khalifah for the Muslims,
after the death ofafter the death of ‘‘Umar, he did not sleep duringUmar, he did not sleep during
that period, because he was so busy consultingthat period, because he was so busy consulting
the Muslims, even the old women.the Muslims, even the old women.
3.3. Other types of commendable concern include: theOther types of commendable concern include: the
concern of the daiconcern of the dai’’yah who is striving to spreadyah who is striving to spread
Islam and convey the message, guiding others toIslam and convey the message, guiding others to
the path of Guidance.the path of Guidance.

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5.5. The concern of the worshipper to ensure that hisThe concern of the worshipper to ensure that his
worship is correct both in intention and practice;worship is correct both in intention and practice;
and the concern of the Muslim for the suffering ofand the concern of the Muslim for the suffering of
his brothers in faith throughout the world…his brothers in faith throughout the world…
6.6. The concern of speaker/presenter to ensure thatThe concern of speaker/presenter to ensure that
his speech and presentation is sincere, logical andhis speech and presentation is sincere, logical and
meaningful to convey the right message.meaningful to convey the right message.

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ReminderReminder!!
Finally, let us remind ourselves that no matterFinally, let us remind ourselves that no matter
how great and how numerous the worries andhow great and how numerous the worries and
distress of this world may be, the distress anddistress of this world may be, the distress and
anguish of the Hereafter will be far greater. Thisanguish of the Hereafter will be far greater. This
includes that which will befall all people whenincludes that which will befall all people when
they are gathered all together for Judgment. Al-they are gathered all together for Judgment. Al-
Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him)Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him)
reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah bereported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be
pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaahpleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“I will be the master of all people on the Day of“I will be the master of all people on the Day of
Resurrection. Do you know why I will be theResurrection. Do you know why I will be the
master of all people?master of all people?

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Reminder! (ContinuedReminder! (Continued((
Allaah will gather together all the people, the firstAllaah will gather together all the people, the first
and the last of them in one place, in such a wayand the last of them in one place, in such a way
that if a caller calls out to them, they will all hearthat if a caller calls out to them, they will all hear
him, and they will all be seen at once.him, and they will all be seen at once.
The sun will be brought close to them, and they willThe sun will be brought close to them, and they will
feel more distress than they can bear. People willfeel more distress than they can bear. People will
say, ‘Can you see what has happened to you?say, ‘Can you see what has happened to you?
Won’t you see who can intercede for you with yourWon’t you see who can intercede for you with your
Lord?’ Then some of them will say to others, ‘Let’sLord?’ Then some of them will say to others, ‘Let’s
go to Adam…’”go to Adam…’”
There will be no cure for distress and anguish onThere will be no cure for distress and anguish on
that Day unless one turns to Allaah today.that Day unless one turns to Allaah today.

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SupplicationSupplication
We ask AllaWe ask Alla’’ah, may He be exalted, toah, may He be exalted, to
keep us safe from distress, to grant uskeep us safe from distress, to grant us
relief from depression and to alleviate ourrelief from depression and to alleviate our
worries, for He is the All-Hearing Whoworries, for He is the All-Hearing Who
answers prayers, He is the Ever-Living,answers prayers, He is the Ever-Living,
Eternal.Eternal.

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THANK YOUTHANK YOU

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HOW CAN WE WIN HEARTSHOW CAN WE WIN HEARTS??
 Be a solace to the bereavedBe a solace to the bereaved
““ Whoever relieves a believer of some of theWhoever relieves a believer of some of the
distress of this world, Allah will relieve himdistress of this world, Allah will relieve him
of some of the distress of the Day ofof some of the distress of the Day of
Resurrection, and whoever comes to theResurrection, and whoever comes to the
aid of one who is going through hardship,aid of one who is going through hardship,
Allah will come to his aid in this world andAllah will come to his aid in this world and
the next.” (Muslim)the next.” (Muslim)

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HOW CAN WE WIN HEARTSHOW CAN WE WIN HEARTS??
 Avoid suspicionAvoid suspicion
““Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the falsestBeware of suspicion, for suspicion is the falsest
of speech.”of speech.”
““Beware of suspicion, for speaking on the basisBeware of suspicion, for speaking on the basis
of suspicion is the worst kind of lie. Do not seekof suspicion is the worst kind of lie. Do not seek
out one another’s faults, do not spy on oneout one another’s faults, do not spy on one
another, do not compete with one another, do notanother, do not compete with one another, do not
envy one another, do not hate one another, andenvy one another, do not hate one another, and
do not turn away from one another. O servants ofdo not turn away from one another. O servants of
Allah, be brothers.” (Bukhari and Muslim)Allah, be brothers.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Dealing with worries and stress from an islamic perspective

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