A few ways of Overcoming sadness/anxiety

One day the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) entered the mosque and to his surprise found Abu Umamah (radiallahu ‘anhu) sitting there (in the mosque). The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked:

“O Abu Umamah! why are you sitting at the mosque when it is not time for prayer?”

Abu Umamah replied, “worry and debt has overwhelmed me.”

The Prophet (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked him: “shall I teach you a few words which when you say them Allah, most Respected and Sublime, will remove your worry and settle for you your debt? “of course Messenger of Allah” was his reply. The Prophet (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “say in the morning and evening:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ والْبُخْلِ وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ"

Translation: “O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, cowardice and miserliness, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men (or others).”Abu Umama (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I had done this and Allah, most Respected and Sublime, had removed my worry and settled for me my debt.” (Abu Dawood)

The above narration indicates that it is only normal for a person at times to feel down. Sadness/anxiety is part and parcel of life. It is normal for everyone to feel a certain degree of this. The above Duaa (with a slight variation), Anas Ibn Malik reported that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) make in abundance (al-Bukhari). Therefore let a person take advantage of the powerful tool of Du’a. Allah, most High, says:

"your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” (40:60).

Furthermore, a person can also feel better by resorting to Salah (prayer):

Huthayfah ibn al-yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) Says: “whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) happen to face a matter of concern (worry) he would at once resort to Salah. (Abu Dawood)

Recitation/Reflection upon the Quran, in sha Allah, also will also prove very beneficial in this regard. Allah, most High, says:

“We reveal the Quran which is a cure and mercy for the believers…” (17:82)

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “See well to the two cures; Honey and the Quran”.

Look for the good and it will grow. Sometimes we are so concerned on what is wrong and we forget about all that is going right. Practicing gratitude does wonders in healing and making a person feeling better.

Smiling will also help a person feel better. We are encouraged from Hadith: “Do not treat light anything of good even if it is to meet your brother with a welcoming and smiling face. (Muslim)

Family support and spending time with loved ones is also very important in making a person feel better. Studies have shown that this type of support and comfort works effectively toward this goal.

In summary, emotions and feelings have been placed within us for a higher purpose and great wisdom from Allah. One of which is anxiety/sadness. we will feel much better by actively making Du’a (supplication), Salah, reciting/reflecting upon Quran, smiling and family/community support, in sha Allah.

We ask Allah, most High, by His beautiful names and perfect attributes to make the Quran a healing for all of us and replace our sadness with happiness, joy and peace of mind.