In today’s khutba, I intend to speak on a topic that has to do with the problem of stress and how to go about tackling it spiritually. What is stress? It is a condition that causes physical, mental, or emotional strain. There are many kinds of health problems caused by stress involving both the body and the mind. Stress seems to increase the risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma. Studies have shown that stress does not only make us feel awful emotionally, but can also intensify just about any health condition we can think of. Hardly anyone can be said to be completely free from stress but some deal with it better than others.
If we feel depressed, we are not alone. It has been estimated that 75 to 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians in America are for stress-related problems. This is why it is wise to consult a doctor if you are having physical symptoms of stress. However, there are some tips that can help us from an Islamic perspective. Let us first try to understand some of the factors that contribute towards increasing our stress?
(1) Fear of the unknown and trying to see through, and control the destiny.
(2) Losses in our lives of people and things dear to us and our inability to recover from those losses.
(3) The inner conflict between our heart and mind; between what is known to be the truth and our failure to accept that truth.
Let us examine the guidance we get from the Qur’an and the Sunnah to deal with such situations. As for our destiny, it is predetermined. We do not have control on that part. What we have control over is a limited free will related to our actions, and the choices we make—our choices to do good or bad, but we have no control over events not related to our actions or the choices we make. Worrying over such things is of no use. Although we know that only Allah is in control and that He has decreed all things, we are responsible for making the right choices and doing the right things in all situations of our lives.
We should think, plan and make sound choices and then put our trust in Allah. If things happen as we want we should praise and thank Him. If things do not happen as we want, we should still praise and thank Him, recognizing that He knows best what is good in the overall scheme of things.
As for mourning over losses in our lives of people and things dear to us, and our inability to recover from those losses, an inner conflict takes place between our heart and mind; between what is known to be the truth and our failure to accept it as truth. Acceptance of truth may require changing our habits and way of life. Let us examine how the Qur’an deals with such situations. Allah (SWT) says,
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ() الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ() أُولَئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ
“We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger and loss of wealth and life and fruits. But give good news to those who are patient; who, when disaster strikes them, say ´We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.´ Those are the people who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord; they are the ones who are guided.” (al-Baqarah, 2:155-157)
It is reported that a person asked Ali ibn Talib (RA) as to how one would know whether a hardship that befalls a person is a test from Allah or a punishment from Him. Ali (RA) replied, “If the hardship takes one closer to Allah, then it’s a test, and if it takes one further away from Allah, then it’s a punishment.” Look how profound and clear this statement is. As we move forward in life, this is a message that is worthy of being imprinted in our beings.
In Islam, we do not have the concept of absolute ownership of goods and life. Man owns nothing. Whatever we possess, is an amanah—a trust given to us by Allah (SWT). Everything belongs to Allah and returns to him. So if we don’t own anything, why keep on mourning its loss, and increasing our stress? In situations of panic and despair, believers should behave differently than non-believers. Non-believers have no one to return to, no one to ask for mercy and forgiveness, their life is this life, which they cannot control, and thus they get more depressed; more diseased. Rejection of faith is like a disease. After denial of truth, which is basically due to arrogance one sets up an inner conflict; between heart and mind.
We should turn each anxiety, each fear and each concern into a du’a—a supplication. Allah listens and already knows what is in our heart, but He wants us to ask Him for what we want. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Allah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything.” The Qur’an says,
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً
“Call on your Lord humbly and secretly” (al-A’raf, 7:55).
Also, we should turn each du’a into an action plan. If we are worried about the state of the world: are we part of any peace movement? Is our Masjid part of the peace movement? Are we part of an interfaith group with an agenda of peace and justice? Are we working with a group fighting discrimination and injustice? If our answer is no, it is time that we sit down to plan our share of time and money in finding solutions to the problems we face.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ
“Allah never changes a people´s state until they change what is in themselves” (al-Ra’d, 13:11).
While we need to carry out our duty to the best of our abilities, always remember that you don’t control the outcome of events. Even the Prophets did not control the outcome of their efforts. Some were successful, others were not. Once you have done your duty, leave the results to Allah. Regardless of the results of your efforts, you will be rewarded for the part you have played. However, never underestimate your abilities. If you are sincerely exerting yourselves, Allah will bless the work you do. It will be full of barakah.
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
My dear brothers and sisters! In difficult times, we should also seek Allah’s help through Sabr and Salat—patience and prayers.
وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ
“And seek help with patience and prayer: It is indeed hard, but not to the humble.” (al-Baqarah, 2:45).
This instruction from Allah provides us with two critical tools that can ease our worries and pain. Sabr and salat are two oft-neglected stress busters. Sabr is often translated as patience but it is not just that. It includes self-control, perseverance, endurance, and a focused struggle to achieve one’s goal. Unlike patience, which implies resignation, the concept of Sabr includes a duty to remain steadfast to achieve your goals despite all odds. Use the five daily prayers as a means to become more Hereafter-oriented and less attached to this temporary world. Start distancing yourself as soon as you hear the call to prayer. When you stand ready to pray, mentally prepare yourself to leave this world and all of its worries and stresses behind you.
By reminding ourselves that Allah is the Provider, we will remember that getting a job or providing for our family in these economically and politically challenging times, is in Allah’s Hands, not ours. We have this beautiful ayah in Surat Hud, which says,
وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُبِينٍ
“There is no creature on the earth which is not dependent upon Allah for its provision. He knows where it lives and where it dies. All this is recorded in a clear book.” (Hud, 11:6)
It is also important to keep reminding ourselves that we don’t control all the variables in the world. Allah does. He is the Wise, the All-Knowing. Sometimes our limited human faculties are not able to comprehend His wisdom behind what happens to us and to others, but knowing that He is in control, as human beings we should submit to His Will. This enriches our humanity and enhances our obedience towards him. We should strive to have the taqwa of Allah—the consciousness of Allah as much as we can.
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ
“Be conscious of Allah as much as you can” (al-Taghabun, 64:16).
We should hasten to seek Allah’s forgiveness.
اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا
“Ask forgiveness of your Lord: He is ever forgiving” (Nuh, 71:10).
We should keep Allah’s remembrance alive in our hearts.
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
“Truly, it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find peace” (al-Ra’d, 13:28).
To conclude, it may be said that stress results from lack of inner peace due to conflicts within us and leads to external disturbances in our behavior and health. Inner peace is achieved by believing in Allah, the All Mighty, and remembering him frequently and asking for His help and forgiveness in times of difficulties.
