As fragile human beings, we are often swamped by fears and anxiety.  At times sadness and worry threaten to take over our lives.  These emotions can become so consuming that we forget our primary purpose in life, which is to worship God.  When pleasing God is at the centre of all our thoughts, actions and deeds, then sadness and worry can have no place in our lives.

In the previous article, we discussed about dealing with sadness and worry by striving to be patient.  We also talked about counting the blessings God has bestowed upon us as a way of encouraging patience.  Another way of overcoming sadness and worry is by being grateful to God for His countless blessings.  God explains in the Quran, that true worshippers are those who are grateful and give thanks.

“Therefore, remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.).  I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favors on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.” (Quran 2:152)

There are many ways to express gratitude.  The first and foremost way is to worship God in the manner that He has prescribed.  The Five Pillars of Islam[1]  were  ordained upon us by God and they guide us to worship Him easily. When we fulfill our obligations towards God, just how truly blessed we are becomes obvious.

When we bear witness that, there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His final messenger we are being grateful for being blessed with Islam.  When a believer prostrates before God in quiet, joyful prayer, we are expressing gratitude.  During the fast of Ramadan, we become thankful for food and water by realizing that God provides our sustenance.  If a believer is able to make the pilgrimage to the House of God in Mecca, it is indeed a cause for thankfulness.  The Hajj journey can be long, difficult, and expensive.

The believer also expresses gratitude by giving charity.  Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, advised his followers to give charity everyday to express gratitude to God for every single joint or faculty in his body.[2]  Imam Ibn Rajab, a noted Islamic scholar of the 7th Islamic century  said, "Human beings are obligated to give thanks to God every single day for His blessings on them by performing acts of virtue and charity on a daily basis”

If we remember God by reading the Quran and contemplating its meanings, we gain a greater understanding of the life of this world and the hereafter.  Consequently, we begin to understand the transient nature of this life and the fact that even the trials and tribulations are blessings from God.  God’s wisdom and justice is inherent in even the direst situations.

How often have we heard people with debilitating diseases or terrible disabilities thank God for their conditions, or speak about pain and suffering bringing blessings and goodness into their lives?  How often have we listened to others speak about horrific experiences and ordeals, yet continue to thank God? 

In times of sadness and worry, when we are feeling alone and distressed, God is our only refuge.  When sadness and worry become unbearable, when there is nothing left but, stress, fear, anxiety, and misery, we instinctively turn to God.  We know His words are true, we know His promise is true!

“..if you are grateful, I will add more favors unto you.” (Quran 14:7)

God knows the wisdom behind why good things happen to bad people, or why bad things happen to good people.  In general, whatever causes us to turn to God is good and we should be grateful for it.  In times of crisis, people are drawn closer to God, whereas in times of comfort we often forget from where the comfort originated.  God is the Provider and He is the Most Generous.  God wants to reward us with life everlasting and if pain and suffering can guarantee Paradise, then trials and tribulations are a blessing.  Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said, “If God wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials.”[3]

Prophet Muhammad also said, “No misfortune or disease befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress – not even a thorn that pricks him – but God will expiate for some of his sins because of that.”[4]  We are imperfect human beings.  We can read these words, we can even understand the sentiment behind them, but acknowledging the wisdom behind every situation and being grateful for our trials is very difficult.  It is much easier to fall into sadness and worry. However, God, the Most Merciful, gives us clear guidelines and promises two things, if we worship Him and follow His guidance we will be rewarded with Paradise and that with hardship comes ease.

“So verily, with hardship, there is ease.” (Quran 94:5)

This verse is part of a chapter of the Quran revealed when difficulties in Prophet Muhammad’s mission were weighing him down and causing him distress.  The words of God comforted and reassured him just as they comfort us today.  God reminds us that with hardship comes ease.  Hardship is never absolute; it is always accompanied by ease.  For that, we should be grateful.  For that, we need to express our gratitude.

We must accept the trials, triumphs, and tribulations that are part of being alive. Each one of them, from the highest highs to the lowest lows is a blessing from God.  A blessing designed uniquely for each individual person.  When we are overcome by sadness or worry we must turn to God, strive to be patient and grateful and put our trust in God.  For God is the most trustworthy.  By trusting Him, we can overcome any moment of anxiety and conquer any sadness or worry that tries to creep into our lives.

As we move into the new century, those of us privileged to live above the poverty line are faced with a unique set of challenges.  We have food enough to eat, shelter from the elements and most of us can even afford life’s little luxuries.  Physically we have all that we need, but spiritually and emotionally, we are bereft.  Our minds are filled with sadness and worry.  Stress and anxiety mount.  As we gather possessions, we wonder why we are not happy.  As we embark on yet another holiday we feel alone and desperate.

A life that is far removed from God is a sad life indeed.  No matter how much money we accumulate, or how grand our house is, if God is not the centre of our lives then happiness will elude us forever.  True happiness can only be found when we at least attempt to fulfil our purpose in life.  Human beings exist to worship God.  God wants us to be happy, in this life and in the Hereafter and He has given us the key to real happiness.  It is not a secret or a mystery.  It is not an enigma or a puzzle, it is Islam.

“And I (God) created not the jinn and humankind except that they should worship Me.” (Quran 51:56)

The religion of Islam explains clearly our purpose in life and gives us guidelines to follow to make our search for happiness easier.  The Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, are our guide books for a life completely devoid of sadness and worry.  This however does not mean that we will not be tried and tested because God states very clearly in Quran that He will test us.  Our lives will be filled with situations that require us to reach out for God and depend upon Him.  God promises us that He will reward those who are patient, He asks us to be grateful to Him, and He tells us that He loves those who put their trust in Him.

“...put your trust in God, certainly, God loves those who put their trust in Him.”  (Quran 3:159) 

“The believers are only those who, when God is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them, they increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord Alone.”  (Quran 8:2)

Life is filled with triumphs and tribulations.  Sometimes it is a roller coaster ride.  One day our faith is high and sweet, the next it has plummeted and we feel sad and worried.  The way to even out our journey is to trust that God knows what is best for us.  Even when seemingly bad things happen, there is a purpose and wisdom behind them.  Sometimes the purpose is known only to God, sometimes it is obvious.

Consequently, when we realise that there is no power or strength except from God, we can begin to relax. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, once reminded one of his young companions that God was all-powerful and nothing happens without His permission. 

"Young man, uphold the commands of God, and He will protect you in this life and in the next. Uphold the commands of God and He will help you.  When you ask for anything, ask it from God, and if you seek help, seek help from God.  Know that if people were to unite to do you some benefit, they could benefit you only what God has recorded for you, and if they were to unite to do you some harm, they could harm you only with what God has recorded for you.  The pens are withdrawn and the pages are dry.”[1]

When we are mindful of the fact that God has control over all things and that He ultimately wants us to live forever in Paradise, we can begin to leave our sadness and worry behind.  God loves us, and wants what is best for us.  God has given us clear guidance and He is the Most Merciful, and the Most Forgiving.  If things do not go according to our plan, if we do not see the benefits of the challenges we face in life it can become very difficult not to despair and fall prey to stress and anxiety.  At this point, we must learn to trust God.

“If God helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you?  And in God (Alone) let believers put their trust.” (Quran 3:160)

“Say: "He is my Lord!  None has the right to be worshipped but He!  In Him is my trust, and to Him will be my return with repentance.” (Quran 13:30)

“And we shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt..., and in God (Alone) let those who trust, put their trust.” (Quran 14:12)

As believers, our trust in God must be constant, in all situations, good, bad, easy, or difficult.  Whatever happens in this world happens by the permission of God.  He provides sustenance and He is able to withdraw it.  He is the master of life and death.  God determines whether we are rich or poor and whether we are healthy or ill. We thank God for granting us the ability to strive and to go out and acquire that which is good for us. Whatever our circumstances may be we need to thank and praise God for them.  If need be we must bear our difficulties with patience and above all we must love and trust God.  When life becomes dark and difficult we must love God more; when we are overcome by sadness and worry we must trust God more.