STRESS MANAGEMENT- AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE by Obed Khan
STRESS MANAGEMENT- An Islamic Perspective by Obed Khan (Vowel Education Academy) INTRODUCTION Stress and Depression affects people from all walks of life and backgrounds. It can affect people from of all ages. There is no single cause of depression according to research. The main causes of Stress are life experiences, physical health, brain chemistry, hormones […]
STRESS MANAGEMENT- An Islamic Perspective
by Obed Khan (Vowel Education Academy)
INTRODUCTION
Stress and Depression affects people from all walks of life and backgrounds. It can affect people from of all ages. There is no single cause of depression according to research. The main causes of Stress are life experiences, physical health, brain chemistry, hormones and genetics.
WHAT IS STRESS?
Stress is simply a reaction to a stimuli that disturbs our physical and mental state. In psychology stresss is a feeling of strain and pressure. Untreated stress can eventually lead to depression.
According to the World Health Organization, 300 million people around the world have depression. Untreated depression increases an individual’s risk of suicide, which is one of the leading causes of death in the world. According to the World Health Organization, one million people commit suicide every year. Stress is even a major cause of various physical ailments such as Diabetes and Hyper Tension.
WHAT IS STRESS MANAGEMENT?
Today we find Stress Management workshops and Counselling are growing in popularity all over the world. Significant research has been done on methods to effectively cope up with life stressors and improve psychological well-being. Researchers have identified numerous approaches and strategies like relaxation, meditation, imagination, yoga etc. to combat stress.
THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON STRESS MANAGEMENT
Muslims lookup to the Qur’an and Sunnah for guidance and solutions to all their problems. The basic perception of Islam on stress management is that this life is a test for the hereafter. Therefore, life can be full of tests and trials which cause stress. Islam takes note of the inevitability of stress in people’s lives and provides strategies to combat stress.
STRATEGIES PROVIDED BY ISLAM TO COMBAT STRESS
Some of the strategies and solutions provided by Islam to combat stressare
- Belief in Allah and Al Qadr (Destiny)
Belief in Allah and Al Qadr gives us confidence to face life’s unavoidable stress. “If Allah do touch thee with hurt, there is none can remove it but He: if He do design some benefit for thee, there is none can keep back His favour: He causeth it to reach whomsoever of His servants He pleaseth. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”[Qur’an, Surah Younus, Ch. 10, verse 107]
“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al Lawh Al Mahfooz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah”
[[Qur’an, Surah al-HadeedCh.57, verse 22]
Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh)
“Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice] :
Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you.
Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you.
If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah.
Know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything,
it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you,
and that if they gather together to harm you with anything,
they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you.
The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” (At Tirmidhi H- 2516)
2. Being content with whatever we have-
“Look at those who are beneath you and do not look at those who are above you, for it is more suitable that you should not consider as less the blessing of Allah.” [Bukharee 6490, abridged & in Muslim 2963]
- Being positive and hopeful in the mercy of Allah
“I am as My slave thinks I am, so let him think of Me as he wishes.”[ Ahmad -16059]
So think that Allaah will honour you, have mercy on you and give you happiness in this world and in the Hereafter, because He loves His righteous slaves, and honours His pious slaves. So be assured of a life of tranquillity, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)”
[Qu’an, Surah An Nahl, Ch.16, verse 97]
- Seeking help through patience and prayer
Salah is the key to success and happiness. Haven’t you heard in the adhaan. “….Hayya las salah.. hay la falah…” Come to prayer, come to success. And Allaah has made patience like a horse that never gets tired, an army that can never be defeated and a strong fortress that can never be breached. Patience and victory are twin brothers, for victory comes with patience, relief comes with distress and ease comes with hardship.
“And seek help in patience and As-Salaah (the prayer)….”
[Qur’an, Surah al-Baqarah Ch.2, verse 45]
5. Duas and Adhkaars
“Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”
[Qur’an, Surah ar-Ra‘dCh.13, verse 28]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim writes a profound paragraph on this.
“In the heart, there is a sense of untidiness which can only be gathered by turning to Allah
And in the heart there is a sense of loneliness which can only be removed by coming closer to Allah
And in the heart there is fear and anxiety, which only leaves by fleeing to Allah
And in the heart there is a sense of regret, which can only be removed by being satisfied with Allah.”
Duas and Adhkaars help in achieving this state of peace and tranquility.
All these and many more strategies provided by Islam gives us strength to combat stress and reduce or eliminate stress from our lives. For a Muslim the solutions provided in Islam are the best stress management techniques. A Muslim should try to learn and implement them in his life to become free from stress and live a healthy and peaceful life, in sha Allah.
Obed Khan- Trainer / Life Coach
VOWEL EDUCATION ACADEMY
vowelhelpdesk@gmail.com / obedkhanin@gmail.com
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