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

Dealing with Worries and StressDealing with Worries and Stress

Islamic PerspectiveIslamic Perspective

Presented byPresented byDr. KHALID AL-DOSSARYDr. KHALID AL-DOSSARY

October, 2012October, 2012

الدعوية المفكرة موقع مكتبة في الملف www.dawahmemo.comتجد

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OutlineOutline

IntroductionIntroduction Kinds of Worry and StressKinds of Worry and Stress Islam's Treatment for Anxiety and Worry Islam's Treatment for Anxiety and Worry Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on

Treating Distress and Grief Treating Distress and Grief Worthwhile Worries Worthwhile Worries Reminder Reminder 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 calamities Distress suffered because of the calamities

that happen in this worldthat happen in this world; ; chronic or serious diseases, disobedience of chronic or serious diseases, disobedience of

children towards their parents, hostility on children towards their parents, hostility on the part of one’s wife or mistreatment on the the 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 fears Some 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 about for example a father may be worried about what will happen to his children after he what will happen to his children after he dies, especially if they are weak and he has dies, especially if they are weak and he has nothing to leave behind for them.nothing to leave behind for them.

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Kinds of Stress and WorryKinds of Stress and Worry 3.3. Kinds of distress that result from wrongful Kinds of distress that result from wrongful

treatment at the hands of otherstreatment at the hands of others

Mistreatment by one's own relatives, as the Mistreatment by one's own relatives, as the poet said: “The wrong suffered at the hands poet said: “The wrong suffered at the hands of those who are closely-related is more of those who are closely-related is more painful to bear than a blow from a powerful painful to bear than a blow from a powerful sword.”sword.”

4.4. Kinds of anxieties that may result from Kinds of anxieties that may result from committing sinscommitting sins

The distress suffered after shedding blood The distress suffered after shedding blood wrongfully; or the anxiety of a woman who is wrongfully; or the anxiety of a woman who is pregnant as a result of fornication or pregnant as a result of fornication or adultery.adultery.

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Kinds of Stress and WorryKinds of Stress and Worry

1.1. The distress suffered by the The 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 truthful The anxiety faced by the truthful person when he is disbelieved.person when he is disbelieved.

The prophets The prophets

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Kinds of Stress and WorryKinds of Stress and Worry 4.4. The anxiety suffered by an innocent The anxiety suffered by an innocent

person when false accusations are person when false accusations are made.made.

Al-Ifk IncidentAl-Ifk Incident

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5.5. A man’s worry about what may happen A 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 dreams Anxiety caused by dreams

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Islam's Treatment for Anxiety and Islam'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 earn Thinking of how the Muslim may earn expiation for his sins, purify his heart and expiation for his sins, purify his heart and raise his status, when he is stricken with raise 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 and Following 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 and Islam'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 and Praying 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 matters Relying upon Allaah and entrusting matters to Him.to Him.

10.10. Other ways of dispelling distress and Other ways of dispelling distress and anxiety include paying attention to what is anxiety include paying attention to what is beneficial, focusing on what matters today beneficial, focusing on what matters today and no longer worrying about what may and no longer worrying about what may happen tomorrow or regretting what happen 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 finding One of the most effective ways of finding comfort and contentment is to remember comfort 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 is Another 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 those both those which are obvious and those which are hidden.which are hidden.

15.15. Keeping oneself busy with useful work or Keeping oneself busy with useful work or the pursuit of beneficial knowledge.the pursuit of beneficial knowledge.

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Islam's Treatment for Anxiety and WorryIslam's Treatment for Anxiety and Worry 16.16. Looking for the positive aspects of the Looking for the positive aspects of the

events in which the person tends to see events in which the person tends to see only things that he dislikes.only things that he dislikes.

17.17. Understanding the true value and shortness Understanding the true value and shortness of this life, and that time is too precious to of 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 allow Another 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 prepared Constantly anticipating and being prepared for all possibilities.for all possibilities.

20.20. Another remedy is to consult to Islamic Another remedy is to consult to Islamic scholars and ask them for advice. scholars and ask them for advice.

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Islam's Treatment for Anxiety and WorryIslam's Treatment for Anxiety and Worry

21.21. The person who is distressed or worried The person who is distressed or worried should know that after hardship comes should know that after hardship comes easeease

22.22. Another remedy for distress is certain kinds Another remedy for distress is certain kinds of food of food

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Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on Treating Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on Treating

Distress and GriefDistress and Grief Fifteen kinds of remedies through which Allaah Fifteen 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 His To declare that Allaah is far above mistreating His slave or punishing him without any cause on the slave 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 the Admission on the part of the slave that he is the wrongdoer. wrongdoer.

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Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on Treating Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on Treating Distress and Grief Distress and Grief

6.6. Beseeching Allaah by the best of things, which are Beseeching Allaah by the best of things, which are His Names and Attributes. Among the most His Names and Attributes. Among the most comprehensive in meaning of His Names and comprehensive in meaning of His Names and Attributes are the Names Attributes 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 all s trust in Allaah and handing over all

oneone’’s affairs to Him, recognizing that ones affairs to Him, recognizing that one ’’s s forelock is in His hand, that Allaah runs all oneforelock is in His hand, that Allaah runs all one ’’s s affairs as He wills, that His command is ever affairs 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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Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on Treating Writings of Immam Ibn al-Qayyim on Treating Distress and Grief Distress and Grief

9.9. Reading Qur’aan and pondering its meaning, Reading Qur’aan and pondering its meaning, seeking consolation in it for all disasters, and seeking consolation in it for all disasters, and seeking a cure in it for all diseases of the heart seeking 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. Repentance Repentance 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 at all, Admitting that one has no power or strength at all,

and attributing them to the One Who holds them and attributing them to the One Who holds them in His hand. Eternal). in His hand. Eternal).

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Worthwhile WorriesWorthwhile Worries

1.1. A scholarA scholar’’s anxiety to resolve difficult issues s 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 and Especially 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 Muslim Another example is the concern of the Muslim leader about the problems of the people under his leader 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 of The more any decision had to do with the fate of the Muslims, the greater the anxiety and stress the Muslims, the greater the anxiety and stress involved.involved.

Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘‘Awf was entrusted with the Awf 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 of after the death of ‘‘Umar, he did not sleep during Umar, he did not sleep during that period, because he was so busy consulting that 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: the Other types of commendable concern include: the concern of the daiconcern of the dai’’yah who is striving to spread yah who is striving to spread Islam and convey the message, guiding others to Islam 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 his The 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 of and 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 that The concern of speaker/presenter to ensure that his speech and presentation is sincere, logical and his 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 matter how Finally, let us remind ourselves that no matter how great and how numerous the worries and distress of great and how numerous the worries and distress of this world may be, the distress and anguish of the this world may be, the distress and anguish of the Hereafter will be far greater. This includes that which Hereafter will be far greater. This includes that which will befall all people when they are gathered all will befall all people when they are gathered all together for Judgment. Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have together for Judgment. Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah mercy on him) reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I will (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I will be the master of all people on the Day of Resurrection. be the master of all people on the Day of Resurrection. Do you know why I will be the master of all people? Do you know why I will be the master of all people?

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Reminder! (Continued)Reminder! (Continued)

Allaah will gather together all the people, the first Allaah will gather together all the people, the first and the last of them in one place, in such a way and the last of them in one place, in such a way that if a caller calls out to them, they will all hear that 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 will The sun will be brought close to them, and they will feel more distress than they can bear. People will feel 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 your Won’t you see who can intercede for you with your Lord?’ Then some of them will say to others, ‘Let’s Lord?’ 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 on There 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, to keep ah, may He be exalted, to keep us safe from distress, to grant us relief us safe from distress, to grant us relief from depression and to alleviate our from depression and to alleviate our worries, for He is the All-Hearing Who worries, 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 the Whoever relieves a believer of some of the distress of this world, Allah will relieve him distress of this world, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever comes to the Resurrection, 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 and Allah 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 falsest Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the falsest of speech.”of speech.”

“ “Beware of suspicion, for speaking on the basis of Beware of suspicion, for speaking on the basis of suspicion is the worst kind of lie. Do not seek out suspicion is the worst kind of lie. Do not seek out one another’s faults, do not spy on one another, one another’s faults, do not spy on one another, do not compete with one another, do not envy do not compete with one another, do not envy one another, do not hate one another, and do not one another, do not hate one another, and do not turn away from one another. O servants of Allah, turn away from one another. O servants of Allah, be brothers.” (Bukhari and Muslim)be brothers.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

dealing with worries and stress from an islamic perspective

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