Brothers and sisters! We all know that in any situation, and as a matter of principle, being positive is always better than being negative. But isn’t it true that many a times we become very negative in our attitudes and behavior. If we want happiness in our lives, in our homes, and in our community, we have to learn to be positive. In today’s khutbah, I’ll share a few thoughts on being positive. It is our choice how we observe and handle every situation.
With all the news of violence, crimes, injustices, bigotry, along with financial crisis, job loss, death in the family, sickness, and the list goes on, negativity and pessimism surround many of us today. It’s almost like the air we breathe. Reconnecting with our noble deen can help us in many ways to instill hope and positivity in us. Any adversity has to be taken as an opportunity to get closer to Allah. He is the only one who can turn things around for the better.
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
“Only in the remembrance of Allah can the hearts find peace.” (al-Ra’d, 13:28)
Positivity is what our religion teaches. Positivity is what our deen emphasizes. On the Day of Judgment, Allah (SWT) will find a speck of good in a person and then use it as an excuse to forgive that person. This is Allah picking the positive. We want Allah to pardon our sins and bless our good deeds—our positives, however minimal or limited they may be. It is only through Allah’s mercy and His overlooking our negatives that we can be admitted into the abode of eternal bliss.
Overlooking the negative and picking the positive is very significant. What is the secret to a happy married life? It is to accept the deficiency of a human being and to find something positive within him or her. If we overlook mistakes, find the positive, and learn to magnify them, then the negatives will most likely be dispelled. The same applies to every relationship; a little bit of positive attitude and behavior goes a very long way to put matters right.
Even in the painful situation of a divorce between the spouses; amidst all the negatives of a strained relationship between them, Allah provides words of comfort to the parties involved, and brings out the positive. Allah says in Surat al-Talaq,
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ
“Whoever has the taqwa of Allah, He will make a way out for him. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him….” (at-Talaq, 65: 2-3)
The Prophet (SAW) was a master of positivity. In all his actions, the Prophet (SAW) would radiate a positivity that transformed those around him. His ever-beaming smile would display optimism. He had a manner of treating people so well that all around him felt as if they were the most special persons, and most liked by the Prophet (SAW). His words, whether of warning or of good news, inspired positive action. He advised us to be hopeful and to be optimist, and not to lose hope and become pessimist. His sayings focus on positive attitude, behavior and action, and help us to be productive in all circumstances. He used to say,
بَشِّرُوا وَلاَ تُنَفِّرُوا وَيَسِّرُوا وَلاَ تُعَسِّرُوا
“Give glad tidings, and do not scare people away. Make things easy, and do not make things difficult.”
He advised that at time of death, hope should prevail over fear. Once he went to a young man who was on his death bed and asked him ‘How do you feel?’ The young man said, ‘I have much hope from Allah but I also fear for my sins’. The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘The believer who has these two thoughts simultaneously at such time, Allah fulfils his hopes and grants him security from fear.’”
Focusing on the positive aspect of all affairs of a believer, the Prophet (SAW) said, “How wonderful is the affair of the believer for there is good for him in every matter and this is not the case with anyone except the believer. If he is happy, then he thanks Allah and thus there is good for him. If he is harmed, then he shows patience and thus there is good for him.” Just three days before his death, the Prophet (SAW) said,
لاَ يَمُوتَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلاَّ وَهُوَ يُحْسِنُ الظَّنَّ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
“None of you should die but hoping only good from Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.”
Even in times of struggle, we have to keep expressing gratitude for the positive things happening in our life, and in our world. We have to remind ourselves of all the blessings we have and talk about them with our loved ones and with those who are close to us. This will calm us down. Expressing gratitude isn’t about ignoring our current problems. Rather it is about accepting life’s trials and becoming more humble, knowing that it is Allah, who brings both hardship and ease, but patience has been advised in times of difficulties. Such times are seen as testing times from Allah and can be the means to being rewarded.
Those who show ingratitude and displeasure with Allah’s decree end up in a situation where not only will they have to go through their hardship but will also suffer the consequences of being discontent with Allah’s decree. When the Prophet (SAW) received good news, he would say,
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بِنِعْمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ
“All Praise is for Allah by whose favor good works are accomplished,” When he received disturbing news, he would say,
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ
“All Praise is for Allah in all circumstances.”
May Allah grant us positivity in our attitudes, in our actions, and in our behavior and may He bless each one of us with a deep understanding of His deen. Ameen.
أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ وَلِسَائِرِ المُسْلِمينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين
Brothers and sisters! Having a positive support group and good friends and companions is very important. Surrounding ourselves with positive people will not only help in disturbing times, but also inspire us to have an optimistic approach to life. Nobody likes a negative person. It is good to avoid friendship with highly negative people; otherwise we may start getting influenced by their negative approach to everything. However, we should act in good faith without being judgmental about others and without being overly suspicious about them.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ
“O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion. Indeed some suspicion is sin.” (al-Hujurat, 49:12)
Suspicion by itself is not forbidden. One may have a good assumption about someone. It is sinful, however, to entertain suspicion about someone without any ground, or to entertain suspicion about people whose apparent conditions show that they are good and noble. We also have to avoid all sorts of negative behavior such as mocking or ridiculing someone. The Qur’an warns us:
“O you who believe! Let not a group of you mock another. Perhaps they are better than you. Let not women mock each other; perhaps one is better than the other. And do not find fault with one another or insult each other with derogatory nicknames.” (al-Hujurat, 49:11)
Helping others is one of the best ways to bring positivity into our lives. Volunteering in a local center, taking out time for community service, helping those in need, visiting the sick, and other such righteous and humanitarian deeds can bring a smile that will go a far way to wipe off the despair and negativity we may be experiencing during our difficult times. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
“So, surely with every hardship there is ease.” (al-Inshirah, 94:5)
One has to put one’s trust in Allah.
وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
“Let the believers put their trust in Allah.” (Aal ‘Imran, 3:122)
Regardless of how easy or difficult our situation is today, it won’t last long. Through the grand depictions of paradise and hellfire, Allah encourages us to have a futuristic vision so that our focus is on the bigger picture. We have to positively transform our lives so that after having lived for a defined and limited time in this world, we achieve salvation in the hereafter—our ultimate destination.
Let me conclude by saying that if we are positive in our attitude and behavior, people will love to be around us. Employers, co-workers, neighbors, family members, friends, and volunteers will be attracted to our optimism. People are naturally attracted to those who offer hope and practical advice. A result-driven, positive attitude is the mark of an achiever in this life and in the hereafter.
