Six effective ways to overcome sadness.
Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research is a research institute which aims to instill conviction and inspire contribution based on mainstream Islamic texts. Here are Six effective ways to overcome sadness.
1. Understand it’s a test.
Allah promises in the Quran that He will surely test us, whether it be through fear, hunger, poverty or losing loved ones. Yet if we remain patient, Allah will bestow us with His blessings and mercy.
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.”
2. Let go of fear.
Allah repeatedly implores believers in the Quran to not fear the creation, but to rather fear God alone. For undoubtedly Allah alone is sufficient for us and He alone is the best disposer of affairs.
“Those to whom hypocrites said, “Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.” But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, “Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.” So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty. That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.”
“Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.”
3. See goodness in all things.
The Prophet ﷺ taught us that the affair of a believer is always good. If he experiences delight, he shows gratitude and is rewarded. While if he experiences hardship, he is patient and is also rewarded.
”Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.”
4. Be grateful for what you have.
Regardless of your situation, give thanks to Allah for the many blessings you already have. For if you give thanks to Allah He will surely increase you.
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me”
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’”
(Quran 14:7)
5. Find solace in Quran and prayer.
Allah has described the Quran as a source of “healing” for that within our hearts and a “mercy for the believers”. The Prophet would also refer to his prayer as a source of “comfort”.
“O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breast[s] and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, “In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.”
(Quran 10:57-58)
The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said, “O Bilal, make the call for prayer: give us comfort by it.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 4985)
6. Remain positive.
The Prophet ﷺ was no doubt the most tried and tested of people, yet the companions would never see anyone smile more than him. He would even encourage others to do the same amongst one another.
Narrated by Ibn Jaz: “I have not seen anyone who smiled more than the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).”
(At-Tirmidhi Book 49, Hadith 4002)
Read more in
Overcoming Pessimism with Faith
by Roohi Tahir