Introduction:
This blog is going to talk about one of the most important duas. It is going to talk about the dua of anxiety. Basically, people often say that anxiety is the disease of the age. Really, it is very true. Practically, people are growing increasingly worried, depressed and under pressure. However, Islam calls its followers not to worry or be anxious. Truly, Prophet Mohammad often made dua of anxiety. This is because stress can make a muslim very sad and depressed and lead to melancholy. Surely, stress can kill a human. This is because it has its fatal and dangerous consequences. People are often worried about their income, future, children, health and many other things.
How islam treated worry and anxiety:
In the first place Islam prescribes the magical prescription for worry and anxiety. Really, Islam says: Depend on your lord, do your best and don’t worry. Therefore, the Holy Quran verses treated this issue. So, Allah says in the Holy Quran verses:
((“أَمۡ لِلۡإِنسَـٰنِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰ ٢٤ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةُ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰ ٢٥”))
Therefore, this means that Allah controls everything. So, a human should know and realize his or her limits and determinations. Truly, We all have a limited will. Humans have limited capacities. It is best for a muslim to surrender their will and fate to the will of Allah. However, Islam realizes that to worry is human. Yet, Allah is in control of everything.
How prophet mohammad treated anxiety:
Prophet Mohammad had the greatest responsibilities. He received the revelation. He did his best to convey the message of Allah. The prophet suffered a lot because many people opposed him and rejected his call. On the other hand, prophet Mohammad had the responsibility of teaching and educating the first generation of Muslims, his Sahaba. The Sahaba, the prophet’s companions were of diverse characters and personalities. They needed great effort and concentration. Furthermore, prophet Mohammad had many wives. In addition, they also needed more care. All these responsibilities meant more pressure, stress and worry. Therefore, prophet Mohammad had the greatest pressure and worry. However, a smile never left prophet Mohammad’s face. Moreover, he hardly ever felt angry or worried. Prophet Mohammad said a lot of hadith to treat anxiety.
Treating anxiety practically:
Prophet Mohammad treated anxiety in a practical way. He never gave lectures or sermons on how to treat and relieve anxiety. Prophet Mohammad often made dua of anxiety. Whenever he felt worried, he resorted to prayer. In more than one hadith, Prophet Mohammad advised Muslims to ablution. Being in direct contact with water helps relieve pressure. water helps an anxious person cool down. Washing the limbs and face helps drive anxiety away. Washing one’s mouth and sniffing water can change one’s mood. When prophet Mohammad was worried about something, he often resorted to prayer. He would make dua to Allah and ask the help and support of his Lord. In online Hifz ul Quran classes, muslim kids learn the verses, hadith and dua of anxiety.
How a muslim should relieve anxiety:
Islam helps a Muslim live a healthy and happy life. Therefore, prophet Mohammad said many hadith to help muslims relieve their worry and anxiety. First, he taught them that the key remedy for anxiety is to depend on Allah. Prophet Mohammad said in one of his hadith:
(“If you depend on Allah as it should be, Allah will provide you with your livelihood the same way He does with birds. Birds leave their nests hungry in the morning. Birds return full at the end of the day.”)
((“ ْلَو أَنَّكُمْ تَوَكَلْتُمْ عَلَى اللهِ حَقَّ تَوَكُّلِِهِ , لَرَزَقَكُمْ كَمَا يَرْزُقُ الطَّيْرَ, تَغْدُو خِمَاصًا وَ تَعُوُدُ َبِطانًا”))
Also, prophet Mohammad taught a young Sahaba that:
(“Know very well that what will befall you will not miss you. What will miss you will not befall you.”)
(( إِعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ مَا أَصَابَكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُخْطِئَكَ وَأَنَّ مَا أَخْطَأكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُصِيبَكَ ))
The prophet’s dua of anxiety:
Prophet Mohammad taught Muslims that making dua is everything for a Muslim. Therefore, prophet Mohammad made dua for Allah in all his affairs. At the time of anxiety, prophet Mohammad would say:
(“Allahumma, I seek refuge with you against impotence, laziness and sloth. Allahumma, I seek refuge with you against miserliness and blasphemy. Please My Lord , I seek refuge with you against the inability to repay my debts and the helplessness of men.”)
((اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعْوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ. وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْبُخْلِ وَالْكُفْرِ.اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ))
On many occasions prophet mohammad resorted to dua to be happy, pleased and satisfied. However, the practical sunnah taught us that when a muslim sticks to resorting to Allah, no worry or anxiety will befall them.
