How To Deal With Stress
Society and Culture

How To Deal With Stress: An Islamic Prescription

There are various ways to deal with stress. The first step is to have faith in Allah. As stated in The Quran 53:43 — “It is He who makes us laugh and cry.”

On a daily basis, many of us suffer hardships. We have to tackle fear, anxiety as well as other problems. Sometimes life takes us to unknown platform where it might feel like problems are piling up on us. Stress and sadness have become part and parcel of human life. It is a normal human emotion that we all experience in different phases in our lives.

Such stress can be cured only with the Help of Allah. We know that stress, depression, anxiety and other psychological problems are taking a tremendous toll on the human condition. And all this is occurring due to lack of communication with the Almighty Allah. 

How To Deal With Stress: An Islamic Prescription

We have the best of everything readily available yet the reality is we have nothing. Nothing that comforts the soul. How to step away from this? How to deal with stress? In Islam, the answer is remarkably simple. We turn back to our Creator. Allah knows what is best for His creations.

Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.

How To Deal With Stress: Remember Allah

Learning to Deal with Stress

Stress results from factors such as fear of the unknown and trying to see through and control the unforeseen, loss of people and things dear to us and our inability to recover from it, inner conflict between mind and heart, acceptance of truth, etc.

Let us see how Quran tells us to deal with these situations.

When we are stressed we lose hope, we lose faith in Allah. Our losses are trials for us. Everything belongs to Allah and returns to Him. So if we are just mortal beings, why mourn for temporary loss?

Reciting the Quran can help you deal with stress and disturbance. It gives peace to your soul.

With Hardship, Comes Ease

Life is one difficulty after another. After every suffering, there comes happiness or ease. There is the ease of death after the hardship of life, there is the ease of sleep after the hardship of the day, there is the ease of retirement after the hardship of career and so on. Tough times lead towards easier times.

How To Deal With Stress: With Hardship, Comes Ease

Nothing on this earth is permanent or static. Everything ends, everything changes. When we face hardships or are required to deal with stress, it is our duty not to lose faith in Allah. We must know that this life is a life of duality; there is good and bad, love and hatred, peace and terror, truth and falsehood. Allah says in The Quran 16:97

Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily, to them will We give a new life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on them their reward according to the best of their actions.

Remember Allah

Whenever you are sad or depressed or wish to easily deal with stress, contemplate the Names of Allah. It brings great relief. Remembering Allah helps us focus on being calm and patient. It is important to understand that the believer is encouraged to turn to Allah and supplicate to Him, and seek His Mercy. Allah Himself has asked us to call on Him.

To avoid anxiety, stress and fear, make sure you stick to your prayers. Never miss a Salah and above all, be sincere in your prayers.

Read the Quran. Give lots of charity, as much as you can! Even if you cannot offer money to the poor, helping others physically or even emotionally can work wonders.

Don’t let Shaytan play with your mind. Instead, set new goals and remember Allah. Always remember, Allah is with you. He never forgets you and your hardships so do not deviate from your path.

Thank Allah for all that you have: family, friends, health, and wealth. Be grateful for each and everything.

And lastly, don’t forget to be patient. We know that patience, or Sabr, includes self-control, perseverance, endurance and a focused struggle to achieve one’s goal, especially if one is trying to deal with stress. Always bear in mind, good things do take time.

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Bushra Fatma

Bushra Fatma is a student of English Literature. She likes to read, draw, write and indulge in other creative endeavours.

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