They Agree on Three Points.

After steeping myself in books that deal with anxiety and mental ailments, I found that Muslim scholars agree upon three fundamentals for one who seeks a cure:

1. One should have a close relationship with Allah, by worshipping Him, being obedient to Him, and turning to Him when in hardship or in ease. And this is the paramount issue in faith:

“So worship Him [Alone] and be constant and patient in His worship. Do you know of any who is similar to Him? [of course none is similar or co-equal or comparable to Him, and He has none as partner with Him]. [There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer].”

(Quran 19:65)

2. One must close the files of the past. Episodes of the past, which when recalled only induce pain, should be forgotten and eradicated from one’s memory. Thus, a new life for a new day!

3. One should leave the future alone. Whatever has yet to occur is from the world of the unseen. Therefore it should be left alone until it comes. More particularly, one should avoid being preoccupied with predictions, expectations, and apprehensions. Life should be lived within the boundaries of today.

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“Beware of having long-term expectations (for this world), for verily it makes one forget (his true purpose).”

“And they thought that they would never return to Us.”

(Quran 28:39)

Beware of believing in superstitions and rumors:

“They think that every cry is against them.”

(Qur’an 63:4)

I know people who for years now have been waiting for predictions of disaster and calamity to come true, predictions that, at least until now, have not materialized. They are putting fear into their own hearts and the hearts of others (How perfect is Allah!). Leading such a life is pathetic and deplorable. The example of these people is that of the tortured prisoner in China, whose captors place him under a tap, releasing from it a drop of water every minute. The prisoner desperately waits for each drop until he loses his mind. Allah described the people of the fire in the following verses:

“Neither it will have a complete killing effect on them so that they die, nor shall its torment be lightened for them.”

(Qur’an 35:36)

“Wherein he will neither die [to be in rest] nor live [a good living].”

(Qur’an 87:13)

“As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment.”

(Qur’an 4:56)

[SOURCE: Laa Tahzaan – Don’t Be Sad]