2. Tie your Camel: Do your Part
One day Prophet Muhammad,
peace and blessings be upon him, noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel
without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, "Why don't you tie down your
camel?" The Bedouin answered, "I put my trust in Allah." The Prophet
then said, "Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah"
(Tirmidhi).
Muslims must never become fatalistic. Although we know only Allah is in
control and that He has decreed all things, we are each responsible for
making the right choices and doing the right thing in all situations of
our lives. We must take action (link to planning articles on SV). We
must work to alleviate the hardships we, our families and our
communities face.
Ask yourself the following questions if you are worried about the state
of the world: are you part of the peace movement? Is your Masjid part of
the peace movement? Are you part of an interfaith group with an agenda
of peace and justice? Are you working with a group fighting
discrimination? If your answer is no, it is time that you sat down to
plan your share of time and money in finding solutions to the problems
you face. "Verily Allah does not change men's condition unless they
change their inner selves" (Quran 13: 11).
Turn each worry into a Dua and each Dua into an action plan. That will
show your commitment to your request and will focus your energy in the
right direction.
3. Remember that human responsibility is limited
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. Understand the concept of
Barakah (blessings from Allah) and remember that Allah can and Insha
Allah will expand them if you are sincerely exerting your energies for
the right path.
4. Leave the world behind you five times a day
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 Adhan, the call to prayer. When you perform Wudu, keep
repeating Shahada, the declaration of faith, as water drops slip down
your face, hands, arms, and hair. When you stand ready to pray, mentally
prepare yourself to leave this world and all of its worries and
stresses behind you.
Of course, Shaytan will try to distract you during prayer. But whenever
this happens, go back and remember Allah. The more you return, the more
Allah will reward you for it. Also, make sure your Sajdas (prostrations)
are talking Sajdas, in which you are really connecting to God and
seeking His Mercy, praising Him, and asking His forgiveness.
5. Seek help through Sabr
Seek help through Sabr and Salat
(Quran 2:45). This instruction from Allah provides us with two critical
tools that can ease our worries and pain. Patience and prayer are two
oft-neglected stressbusters. Sabr is often translated as patience but it
is not just that. It includes self-control, perseverance, endurance,
and a focussed 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.
Being patient gives us control in situations where we feel we have
little or no control. 'We cannot control what happens to us but we can
control our reaction to our circumstances' is the mantra of many
modern-day self-help books. Patience helps us keep our mind and attitude
towards our difficulties in check.
6. Excuse Me! You are Not Running the World, He is.
It is
important to remind ourselves that we don't control all the variables in
the world. God 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 and
that as human beings we submit to His Will, enriches our humanity and
enhances our obedience (Uboodiah in Arabic) towards him. Read the story
of the encounter of Moses with the mysteries behind God's decision
(Quran: 18:60-82). Familiarize yourself with God's 99 Names, which are
also known as His Attributes. It is a powerful way of knowing Him.
"God-there is no deity save Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent
Fount of All being. Neither slumber overtakes Him, nor sleep. His is all
that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that
could intercede with Him, unless it be by His leave? He knows all that
lies open before men and all that is hidden from them, whereas they
cannot attain to aught of His knowledge save that which He wills them to
attain. His eternal power overspreads the heavens and the earth, and
their upholding wearies Him not. And He alone is truly exalted,
tremendous." (Quran 2:255).
The Prophet recommended reading this verse, known as Ayat al kursi,
after each prayer, Allah's peace and blessings be upon him. Once Ali,
may Allah be pleased with him, approached the Prophet during a difficult
time and he found the Prophet in Sajda, where he kept repeating "Ya
Hayy Ya Qayyum", words which are part of this verse.
7. Birds Don't Carry their Food
Allah is al Razzaq (the
Provider). "How many are the creatures that carry not their own
sustenance? It is Allah Who feeds them and you, for He hears and knows
all things (Quran 29:60)." By reminding yourself that He is the
Provider, you will remember that getting a job or providing for your
family in these economically and politically challenging times, when
Muslims are often the last to be hired and the first to be fired, is in
God's Hands, not yours. As Allah says in the Quran: "And He provides for
him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust
in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely
accomplish His purpose. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due
proportion (Quran 65:3).
8. God controls Life and Death
If you fear for your
physical safety and security, remember that only Allah gives life and
takes it back and, that He has appointed the time for it. No one can
harm you except if Allah wills. As He says in the Quran: "Wherever you
are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up strong
and high!" (Quran 4:78).
9. Remember that life is short
It's easy to get caught up in our
own stress and anxiety. However, if we remember that our life is short
and temporary, and that the everlasting life is in the Hereafter, this
will put our worries in perspective.
This belief in the transitory nature of the life of this world reminds
us that whatever difficulties, trials, anxieties, and grief we suffer in
this world are, Insha Allah, something we will only experience for a
short period of time. And more importantly, if we handle these tests
with patience, Allah will reward us for it.
10. Do Zikr, Allah, Allah!
"… without doubt in the remembrance (Zikr) of Allah do hearts find tranquility" (Quran 13:28).
If
you commute, use your time in Zikr. Pick any Tasbeeh and do that
instead of listening to the radio or reading the newspaper. Maybe you
can divide it up between Zikr and planning. Personally, I recite the
Tasbeeh of "Subhana Allahe wa be hamdihi, subhan Allahil Azeem" 100
times as I drive. The Prophet taught us these two short phrases which
are easy to say but will weigh heavy on our scale of good deeds in the
Hereafter.
When your heart feels heavy with stress or grief, remember Allah and
surround yourself with His Zikr. Zikr refers to all forms of the
remembrance of Allah, including Salat, Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, Tahleel, making
supplication (Dua), and reading Quran.
"And your Lord says: 'Call on Me; I will answer your (prayer)…" (Quran 40:60)
By
remembering Allah in the way He has taught us to, we are more likely to
gain acceptance of our prayers and His Mercy in times of difficulty. We
are communicating with the only One Who not only Hears and Knows all,
but Who can change our situation and give us the patience to deal with
our difficulties.
"Remember Me, and I shall remember you; be grateful to Me, and deny Me not" (Quran 2:152).
11. Relying on Allah: Tawakkul
When you awaken in the morning,
thank Allah for giving you life after that short death called sleep.
When you step out of your home, say 'in Your Name Allah, I put my trust
in Allah, and there is no power or force except with Allah' (Bismillahi
Tawakal to al Allah wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah). At night,
remember Allah, with His praises on your lips.
Once you have established a plan you intend to follow through on to deal
with a specific issue or problem in your life, put your trust in the
most Wise and the All-Knowing. "When you have taken a decision, put your
trust in Allah" (Quran 3: 159).
Rely on Allah by constantly remembering Him throughout your day. When
you lay down to sleep, remember that sleep is death. That is why one of
the recommended supplications before going to sleep is "with Your
(Allah's) Name I die and become alive".
12. Connect with other human beings
You are not alone. Muslims
are not alone. We are not suffering in silence. There are millions of
good people who are not Muslim with beautiful hearts and minds. These
are people who have supported us, individually and collectively,
post-9/11, by checking up on us and making sure we are safe. These are
individuals and organizations who have spoken up in defense of Muslims
as we endured harassment and discrimination.
We must think of them, talk to them, connect with them, and pray for
them. Through our connections, we will break the chain of isolation that
leads to depression and anxiety.
13. Compare your dining table with that of those who don't have as much as you do
The
Prophet said: Whenever you see someone better than you in wealth, face
or figure, you should look at someone who is inferior to you in these
respects (so that you may thank Allah for His blessings) (Bukhari,
Muslim).
Next time you sit down to eat, eye the table carefully. Check out the
selection of food, the quality, the taste, the quantity, and then think
of the millions of others who don't have even half as much. The
Prophet's Hadith reminds us of this so that we can appreciate and thank
God for all that we have.
Also remember that the Prophet only encouraged us to compare ourselves
to others in two respects: in our Islamic knowledge and level of belief
in God (Deen). In these two areas, we should compare ourselves with
those who have more than what we do.
14. Say it Loud: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Takbirat & Adhan
Find
a corner of a lake, go out in the wilderness, or even stand on your
lawn at your home and call the Adhan with your heart. While driving,
instead of listening to the same news over and over again, say Allahu
Akbar as loudly as you can or as softly as you want, based on your mood.
Year ago, I remember calling Adhan on a Lake Michigan shore in Chicago
after sunset as the water gushed against my knees. I was calling it for
myself. There was no one else accept the waves after waves of water with
their symphony. It was relaxing and meaningful. Allahu Akbar, Allahu
Akbar.
15. Pray in congregation (Jamat)
Pray with other people instead
of alone. If you can't pray all five prayers in congregation, at least
find one or two prayers you can pray with others. If you are away,
establish Jamat in your own family. During the Prophet's time, even
though the Muslims endured great persecution, including physical
beatings, they would sometimes meet on the side of a mountain or valley
and tried to pray together. This is a great morale booster.
16. How is your Imam's Dua?
Does the Imam at your local mosque
make Dua silently or out loud? Ask him to supplicate with the whole
congregation. Suggest Duas for him to make. Ask him to make Dua for
other people.
17. Work for the Unity of Muslims
Bringing Muslims together
will not only help the Muslims, but it will also encourage you to focus
your energies on something constructive versus zeroing in on and
consistently fretting about difficulties you are going through.
Invite Muslims from other ethnic groups to your functions. Visit Masjids
other than yours in your city. When you meet a Muslim leader, after
thanking him for his efforts, ask him what he is doing for Muslim unity.
Ask Imams to make Dua for this. These are just small ways you can help
yourself and the Muslim community.
18. Sleep the way the Prophet slept
End your day on a positive
note. Make Wudu, then think of your day. Thank Allah for all the good
things you accomplished, like Zikr and Salat. Ask yourself what you did
today to bring humanity together and what you did to help Muslims become
servants of humanity. For everything positive, say Alhamdu lillah
(Praise be to Allah). For everything negative say Astaghfirullah wa
atoobo ilayk (I seek Allah's forgiveness and I turn to You [Allah]).
Recite the last two chapters of the Quran, thinking and praying as you
turn on your right side with your hand below your right cheek, the way
the Prophet used to sleep. Then close your day with the name of Allah on
your tongue. Insha Allah, you will have a good, restful night.
19. Begin the Day on a Positive Note
Get up early. Get up
thanking God that He has given you another day. Alhamdu lillahil lazi
ahyana bada ma amatana, wa ilaihin Nushoor (Praise be to Allah Who gave
us life after death and unto Him will be the return). Invest in an audio
tape driven alarm clock so you can get up to the melody of the Quran.
Or Let Dawud Wharnsby's joyful notes put you in a good mood. Sing along
if you like. Develop your to do list for the day if you didn't do it the
night before. Begin with the name of Allah, with Whose name nothing in
the heavens or the earth can hurt you. He is the Highest and the
Greatest. (Bismillahillazi la yazurru maa ismihi shaiun fil arze wa la
fis samae, wahuwal Alee ul Azeem). The Prophet used to say this after
every Fajr and Maghrib prayers.
20. Avoid Media Overexposure: Switch from News to Books
Don't
spend too much time checking out the news on the radio, television or
internet. Spend more time reading good books and journals. When you
listen to the persistent barrage of bad news, especially relating to
Muslims nowadays, you feel not only depressed, but powerless. Cut down
media time to reduce your stress and anxiety. It's important to know
what's going on but not to an extent that it ruins your day or your
mood.
21. Pray for Others to Heal Yourself.
The Prophet was always
concerned about other people, Muslims and non-Muslims, and would
regularly pray for them. Praying for others connects you with them and
helps you understand their suffering. This in itself has a healing
component to it. The Prophet has said that praying for someone who is
not present increases love.
22. Make the Quran your Partner
Reading and listening to the
Quran will help refresh our hearts and our minds. Recite it out loud or
in a low voice. Listen to it in the car. When you are praying Nafl or
extra prayers, pick it up and use it to recite portions of the Quran you
are not as familiar with. Connecting to the Quran means connecting to
God. Let it be a means to heal your heart of stress and worries. Invest
in different recordings of the Quran and their translations.
"O humanity! There has come to you a direction from your Lord and a cure
for all [the ills] in men's hearts - and for those who believe, a
Guidance and a Mercy" (Quran 10:57).
23. Be thankful to Allah
"If you are grateful, I will give you more" (Quran 14:7).
Counting
our blessings helps us not only be grateful for what we have, but it
also reminds us that we are so much better off than millions of others,
whether that is in terms of our health, family, financial situation, or
other aspects of our life. And being grateful for all we have helps us
maintain a positive attitude in the face of worries and challenges we
are facing almost daily.
24. Ideals: One step at a time
Ideals are wonderful things to pursue. But do that gradually. Think, prioritize, plan, and move forward. One step at a time.
25. Efforts not Results Count in the Eyes of Allah
Our success
depends on our sincere efforts to the best of our abilities. It is the
mercy of Allah that He does not demand results, Alhamdu lillah. He is
happy if He finds us making our best sincere effort. Thank you Allah