Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges globally. However, its exact prevalence remains uncertain, as many people are reluctant to seek help for mental health concerns. Anxiety can arise from various sources, including panic disorders, childhood experiences, trauma, substance abuse, and certain medications (Chand & Marwaha, 2023). While anxiety is a normal reaction to concerns about the future or threatening situations, it becomes problematic when it occurs without these triggers, significantly impacting a person’s quality of life (Hartafan et al., 2024). The severity of anxiety often depends on a person’s tolerance for uncertainty, which is influenced by their faith in the Divine Decree. Higher levels of anxiety may indicate a weaker belief in the Divine Decree, which is considered un-Islamic (Mohamed, 2020).
For Muslims, anxiety can arise from additional factors, such as a Da’ee’s (one who calls others to Islam) anxiety when calling people to Islam, anxiety related to acts of worship, anxiety of a truthful person when others doubt him, anxiety of an innocent person facing false accusations, anxiety about death, anxiety over debts, and anxiety from distressing dreams. These issues are discussed in hadith literature, along with their remedies (Al-Munajjid, 2006).
Anxiety is so significant that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ frequently sought protection from it. Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه narrated:
“I used to serve the Prophet ﷺ and often hear him say: “O Allah ﷻ, I seek refuge in You from grief and anxiety, from the hardships of debt, and from being overpowered by men.”” (Sunan Abi Dawud: 1541)
In another hadith, the Prophet ﷺ discouraged wishing for anxiety. Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه reported:
“A man made this supplication in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ “O Allah ﷻ, you have not bestowed upon me wealth so I cannot give Sadaqah, hence involve me in anxiety so that I may earn reward against that. The Prophet ﷺ said,” Subhan Allah! You cannot endure difficulty. Why did you not make this supplication?
(O Allah ﷻ, let us have the good of this world and the good of the hereafter and save us from the torment of the fire).” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad: 727)
When someone experiences anxiety, they should first remember the verse in which Allah ﷻ says:
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۚ
“God does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity” (Qur’an 2:286)
This verse provides comfort by reminding the person that all challenges are from Allah ﷻ, and patience in these situations is both rewarding and a means of expiating sins. As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“No Muslim is afflicted by difficulty, continuous pain, anxiety, grief, injury, or care, or even by a thorn with which he is pierced, without God ﷻ thereby making an atonement for his sins.” (Mishkat al-Masabih: 1537)
Muslims are also encouraged to help each other alleviate anxiety, as reported by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“If anyone removes his brother’s anxiety of this world, Allah ﷻ will remove for him one of the anxieties of the Day of resurrection; if anyone makes easy for an impoverished man, Allah ﷻ will make easy for him in this world and on the day of resurrection; if anyone conceals a Muslim’s secrets, Allah ﷻ will conceal his secrets in this world and on the Day of resurrection; Allah ﷻ will remain in the aid of a servant so long as the servant remains in the aid of his brother. (Sunan Abi Dawud: 4946)
[Abu Dawud said: ‘Uthman did not transmit the following words from Abu Mu’awiyah: “if anyone makes easy for an impoverished man.”]
For treating anxiety, believers can seek medical treatment, herbal remedies, or Ruqyah (spiritual healing)(Al-Munajjid, 2002). Islamic teachings also recommend several practices to combat anxiety, such as strengthening faith and performing righteous deeds, expiating sins, purifying the heart, focusing on the Hereafter, following the Prophet’s ﷺ example and of his companions, remembering death frequently, supplicating to Allah ﷻ, praying for the Prophet ﷺ, making Dhikr (remembrance of Allah ﷻ) and trusting Allah ﷻ with all matters. Additionally, engaging in the present moment, seeking refuge in prayer, engaging in Jihad for Allah ﷻ, reflecting on Allah’s ﷻ blessings, acquiring beneficial knowledge, and avoiding procrastination are all advised. Preparing for all possibilities, seeking advice from religious scholars, believing in the promise of ease after hardship (Qur’an 94:5-6), and consuming foods like Talbeen are also part of the remedy (Al-Munajjid, 2006). Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه also reported a powerful Dhikr from the Prophet ﷺ for dealing with anxiety:
““There is no might and no power except in God ﷻ” is a remedy for ninety-nine diseases, the lightest of which is anxiety.” (Mishkat al-Masabih: 2320)
The Prophet ﷺ also prescribed specific supplications for anxiety, including:
“Whoever is afflicted with grief or anxiety, then he should pray with these words, ‘Oh Allah ﷻ, certainly I am your slave, the son of your male slave and the son of your female slave. My forehead is in Your Hand. Your Judgment upon me is assured and Your Decree concerning me is just. I ask You ﷻ by every Name that you have named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught any one of Your creation or kept unto Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen that is with You, to make the Qur’an the spring of my heart, and the light of my chest, the banisher of my sadness and the reliever of my distress.” (Hisn al-Muslim: 120)
Another powerful supplication is:
“There is no god but Allah ﷻ, the Great, the Tolerant, there is no god but Allah ﷻ, the Lord of the Magnificent Throne There is no god but Allah ﷻ, the Lord of the Heaven and the earth, the Lord of the Edifying Throne.” (Saheeh Muslim: 2730a)
And:
“Allah ﷻ is enough for me. There is no true god but Him ﷻ, in Him ﷻ I put my trust, and He ﷻ is the Lord of the Great Throne.”– Repeat seven times in Arabic (Hisn Al-Muslim: 83)
Scientific research also supports that religious interventions can reduce anxiety and serve as effective non-pharmacological treatments (Ghiasi & Keramat, 2017; Mottaghi et al., 2011; Moulaei et al., 2023; Umarji, 2022). To conclude, one should always ask Allah ﷻ for protection from anxiety, and if it occurs, rely on the prescribed Dhikr, supplications, and trust in the Divine Decree to cope with it.
Written by: Attiya Amir
References
[Photo credit: EKG Technician Salary]
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