By
Rana Rais Khan – Founder & Editor-in-Chief Hiba Family Resource Centre
Islam is generally perceived as a religion of hard work and loads of worship. But do you know that Allah (swt) is the Creator of humans and their emotions too? In fact He is the One, Who guides people how to use those emotions effectively.
“Allah (swt) uses 27 different words to describe human emotions, appearing in about 413 places in the Quran.” According to a writer of ‘Muslim Matters’ and therapist, Meriam Njah.
It’s not a matter of shame to be emotional at times. Our Creator knows that we are emotional beings. These emotions are meant to enable us to succeed in Dunya to reach Jannah in Aakhirah. That’s why in the Quran, Allah (swt) has narrated stories of the prophets to help us navigate our life and solve issues.
The emerging new world order however sometimes takes these emotions to two extremes. On one hand it talks about human feelings stemming from personal desires and doubts. On the other hand it denies emotions and wants to replace it with artificial intelligence. Both are in contradiction to Allah’s (swt) order.
Emotions just like other aspects of our life need to be recognized, regulated and demonstrated intelligently. However it is catastrophic to observe that current parenting at home and educational system does not equip our youngsters to combat against emotional battles let alone win them. Our curriculum does nothing to create emotionally intelligent people.
Most homes, schools, colleges or universities have failed to address human pain, loss, fear, triumph, etc. In absence of it bullying, drug abuse, suicides, crime, etc. are on the rise among children and adults.
What a contrast of strength and roles. 18 year old Usamah bin Zaid led an army against the disbelievers. Young Ayesha bint Abu Bakr (rta) became a scholar teaching Sahabah older than her. Musab bin Umair (rta) became a young ambassador of Islam in Madinah. The list goes on.
How come these young men and women in absence of the modern education system delivered so efficiently? They were developed holistically. Their growth was monitored all across with the help of the Quran and the Sunnah. Mentally, spiritually, emotionally, physically, they championed it all.
What prevents muslims from adopting that model today? Considering that mental illnesses and psychological ailments are souring globally. Let’s look at the different types of emotions stated by Allah (swt) in the Quran.
- Fear (Khauf)
Fear has been mentioned most in the Quran, about 113 times as if Allah Al Khabeer (The Most Aware) knew that people will face varied life challenges where Shaitan will plant fear in their hearts. The believers as well as the disbelievers will be scared at some point in their lives. It is incorrect to assume that a devout worshipper of Allah (swt) never feels fear. Some live accounts of the prophets highlight their fear:
In Surah Hud, verse 70, Prophet Ibrahim (as) feared the uninvited strange guests who did not partake of the meal Prophet Ibrahim (as) served them. He did not know that they were angels in disguise who had come to give him glad tidings of a son and inform him of the imminent punishment of the nation of Prophet Lut (as) for practicing sodomy.
Each time Allah (swt) mentions ‘Khauf’ in the Quran, He also assures us of relief as His Mercy. A fearless or fear-free believer can stay true to his real purpose of creation that is to worship Allah (swt) best. He can reach his potential too hence fear needs to be dealt with.
Researchers define fear as a high-alert emotion that we experience in response to a perceived threat. Currently many mental disorders are related to fear for which therapy is also sought. These human emotions if misunderstood or ignored can develop into chronic disorders such as anxiety, etc.
Allah (swt) commands the soul in fear: “So fear them not, but fear Me, If you are [indeed] believers.” (Al Imran 3:175)
Duas to overcome fear
Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “Whoever is fearful of the night, that it may cause disturbance or feels miserliness to spend his wealth or feels scared to confront his enemy should recite the following in abundance”:
“Pure is Allah with His Praise.”
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ
“This is dearer to Allah (swt) than spending a mountain of gold in His way.” (Sahih Targheeb o Tarheeb 1541)
- Sadness (Huzn)
Sadness has been mentioned approximately 41 times in the Quran. Sadness is a low-alert emotion experienced in response to perceived loss or suffering. If this state of melancholy is not treated spiritually and physically it can over time lead to depression.
Allah (swt) Al Kareem, The Most Generous empowers humans with tools to combat it. He does not want His slaves to suffer in sadness, hence Allah (swt) has categorically consoled Prophet Muhammad (sa) too in the Quran. In Surah Ad Duha and many other Surahs Allah (swt) admits his ordeal and states solutions to the messenger (sa) especially when he was mistreated by the disbelievers making him sad.
Allah (swt) states: “We said: ‘Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance – there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Al Baqarah 2:38)
Duas to overcome sadness
Understanding and applying the Quran in our lives is a remedy to cure sadness. Following is a great Dua to alleviate sadness:
“O Allah indeed I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, laziness and cowardice, miserliness and debt and from being overpowered by debts and the dominance of people.” (Bukhari)
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ , وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ ,وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
- Regret (Nadamat)
We have all been there. Tossing and turning on a particular thought. Replaying a specific incident. Troubled over a past action. Countless researches state that up until the age of mid-twenties, most of our regretful thoughts circle around an action we took. However later in life past mid-twenties, most of our regrets stem from our inaction.
We do know that doubts are from Shaitan. Believers are also commanded never to walk through this door leading to ‘ifs’ and ‘buts.’ Otherwise the Prophet (sa) would have regretted placing the wrong companions on the mountain of Uhud leading to massive damage of human lives, moral and personal injuries. Instead Allah (swt) instructs the messenger (sa) to regroup, restart and recall all the companions to form a team again. Subhan Allah.
The only type of regret the Quran explicitly recognizes is that of people making wrong choices in this world and dying upon disbelief and ruining their eternity.
Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “And if each soul that wronged had everything on earth, it would offer it in ransom. And they will confide regret when they see the punishment and they will be judged in justice and they will not be wronged.” (Yunus 10:54)
No amount of regret over worldly losses today matches the state of regret of people in the afterlife over their lack of right actions and practicing Islam. That should set our priorities right today to save ourselves from eternal regret.
Duas for guidance
Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” (Al Imran 3:8)
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغۡ قُلُوبَنَا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَيۡتَنَا
وَهَبۡ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحۡمَةًۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡوَهَّابُ
- Panic and Dread (Faza)
Allah (swt) has mainly addressed this state of terror and panic in context to what will be witnessed by humanity on the day of resurrection. Any panic situation of the world pales before it. In spite of our daily panic attacks we do restore to our routine life Alhumdulillah as Allah (swt) is in control and He puts us back on track whenever our emotions derail momentarily.
But on the day of judgement we will need loads of Amal e Saleh and an excellent state of Iman to escape the terror of that day.
Allah states in the Quran: “Whoever comes [at judgement] with a good deed will have better than it, and they, from the terror of that day, will be safe.” (An Naml 27:89)
Duas to overcome panic and dread
Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “… O Allah! Hide my fears and pacify my weakness…” (Abu Dawood)
ﺍﻟَّﻬُﻢَّ ﺍﺳْﺘُﺮْ ﻋﺎﻭْﺭَﺗِﻰْ ﻭَ ﺍﻣِﻦْ ﺭَﻭْﻋَﺘْﻰْ
This is a part of the morning azkaar
Lastly Prophet Muhammad (sa) gave the best tip to manage our negative emotions. He said:
“Whoever increases his prayers for forgiveness, Allah will grant him relief from every worry, a way out from every hardship and provide for him in ways he does not expect.” (Ahmad)
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