The weight of sadness may drown you down
Rise O believing soul, for Allah is always near!
Sadness is not just an expression but a gradually growing and familiar feeling of our times. Every individual is struggling with his/her own set of difficulties, battling individual demons. The cloud of sadness is natural to all of us.
Sadness is Temporary
Despite trials and tribulations, Islam commands us to stay patient and seek happiness in the darkest of times. There is a sign in the transient nature of life. The effect of tragedy is as shortlived as a momentary smile. The final rewards are with Allah and are saved for the Day of Judgement. What are we but creations at test, entirely dependent on Allah alone, the Controller of our affairs, the Provider of everything, the One with Ultimate Authority over all. As stated in verse 29 of Surah ar-Rahman:
Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He has a matter to bring forth (such as giving honour to some, disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.)!
Stay Strong During Adversity
Faith is the only candle that can keep our hearts warm and show us the right way. By lifting the veil of sadness, we can experience the beauty of happiness.
History has proven that the people most loved by Allah have encountered the most severe challenges. As a result, we can seek inspiration by studying the lives of Prophets (peace be upon them), learning about the pains inflicted upon them, and their great strength at the face of trials.
Follow The Quran
It is mentioned in verse 28 of Surah ar-Ra’ad:
Truly, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.
And then in verse 05 of Surah al-Inshirah:
Truly, with every difficulty, there is relief.
With the realization that our time is limited on earth, we can make the best of our presence. The quest of knowledge is must for every Muslim. By keeping ourselves busy, sadness won’t find a way to leap into our hearts. A disciplined and balanced approach between this world and the Hereafter is an ideal way to live and every small effort is praiseworthy. Excessive sadness might open the door of ingratitude and depression, making us prone to physical, mental, social and psychological health issues. Allah constantly reminds us in Surah ar-Rahman:
So which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?
Thus for a practising Muslim, love for Allah must be strong enough to keep him/her away from dark clouds of sadness.
Let our smiles prove our faith and reliance on Allah Alone.
