What To Do When You Are Sad 😞

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Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem.

Feeling down and experiencing hardships is part of the human condition. From an Islamic perspective, such moments are seen as tests from Allah (SWT) to strengthen our faith and patience. The Quran and Hadith provide guidance and solace for these situations.

Quranic Guidance

1. Patience and Prayer:

Allah (SWT) commands believers to seek help through patience and prayer:

> 'يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ'

Quran 2:153

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"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient."

2. Purpose of Tests:

Tests and trials are meant to distinguish the truthful from the false:

'أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ'

Quran 29:2

"Do the people think that they will be left to say, 'We believe' and they will not be tried?"

Hadith Guidance

1. Rewards for Patience:

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

'عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ، وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لِأَحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ، إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ، فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ، فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ'

(Muslim 2999)

"Amazing is the affair of the believer, verily all of his affairs are good and this is not for no one except the believer. If something good happens to him, he thanks (Allah) and it becomes better for him, and if something harmful happens to him, he is patient and it becomes better for him."

2. Expunging Sins:

Hardships expiate sins:

> 'مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلاَ وَصَبٍ وَلاَ هَمٍّ وَلاَ حُزْنٍ وَلاَ أَذًى وَلاَ غَمٍّ حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةِ يُشَاكُهَا إِلاَّ كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ خَطَايَاهُ'

(Bukhari 5642)

"No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that."

Guidance from Scholars

1. Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya:

Ibn Qayyim emphasized the importance of turning to Allah through du'a and dhikr during times of distress. He noted that remembrance of Allah brings tranquility to the heart.

2. Imam Al-Ghazali:

Al-Ghazali in his book "Ihya' Ulum al-Din" discusses the benefits of trials and tribulations. He suggests that these are means of drawing closer to Allah, as they remind the believer of their dependence on Him.

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Practical Steps

1. Increase in Prayer: Engage more in Salah, especially the night prayer (Tahajjud).

2. Dhikr and Du'a: Continuously recite supplications and remember Allah.

3. Seeking Knowledge: Study the lives of the Prophets and the Salaf, who endured great hardships with patience and faith.

4. Community Support: Engage with the community for support and guidance.

Example

Consider the story of Prophet Ayyub (Job) who faced immense trials, including loss of wealth, health, and family. His steadfast patience and unwavering faith are exemplary:

'وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ'

Quran 21:83

"And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, 'Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.'"

In conclusion, experiencing difficulties should lead a believer to increase their reliance on Allah through prayer, patience, and remembrance. These actions not only bring solace but also elevate the believer's status in the sight of Allah.

Salamu Alaykum, see you in school.