THE NEGATIVE POWER OF FEAR

‘If you are mindful of Allah,

He will be mindful of you, and if you are mindful of Allah,

you will find Him before you.’

—The noble Messenger Muhammad (S)

The mind is extremely powerful; however, negative thoughts can drain the mind of its positive power and cause personalities to become weak. Fear is like a recorder inside us, continually replaying what we fear. Fear is a powerful negative force that restricts our talents and skills, which leads to panic reactions. Fear is like a noose that slowly tightens around our neck. A person motivated by fear or worry thinks about what can go wrong, rather than what can go right. This behavior causes a person to live in defensive mode, expecting things to go wrong. To live life to the fullest, it is important to guard our thoughts and allow only positive information to enter our minds. Always avoid negative thoughts of fear and worry.

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In Surah al-Maida, Almighty Allah guarantees success to those who follow His divine decrees: ‘There hath come to you from Allah a (new light) and a clear book. Wherewith Allah guideth all who seek His pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leadeth them out of darkness, by His will unto light—guideth them to a path that is straight’ ([5]:17–18).

Further, in the same Surah (al-Maida) Almighty Allah reminds the believer: ‘Those who believe in the Qur’an, those who follow the Jewish scriptures, and the Sabians and the Christians, any who believe in Allah and the last day and work righteous deeds, on them shall be no fear and nor shall they grieve’ ([5]:72).

Human beings go through challenges in life; Almighty Allah assures sincere believers guidance that will make them free from fear and grief. Knowledge of Almighty Allah will save humankind from being fearful and negative.

The most successful people in the world are no different from us. These joyful, dynamic people have a positive paradigm about the world and their surroundings. Although we come from the same source, these successful people do more than merely exist; they fan the flames of their human potential and do things in a different way.

Sixty thousand thoughts pass through our minds every day. Amazingly 95% of these thoughts are the same thoughts entertained the day before.

Sadly our thoughts are impoverished; if we think the same thoughts every day, most of them negative, we find ourselves in a rut of bad habits! To emerge from this rut, we must read the Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah of our role model, the noble Messenger Muhammad (S). A continuous diet of ilm (knowledge) will empower us.

We are consumed by needless and endless fear or worry that is a negative force. Fear drains our energy and natural vitality, causing our precious potential and mental energy to leak. The mind works like air leaking out of a car tyre; eventually after constant negative thoughts, our creative energy is drained, leaving us consumed with fear and worry.

We notice on tense days we can’t perform at our peak level; we are in chaos, having to be everywhere at the same time, and not able to please anyone. Although by the end of the day we have performed little physical labour, our worries leave us feeling deflated.

In Surah al-A‘raaf, Almighty Allah promises success ‘to those who mend their lives, and guard against evil; they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve’ ([7]:35). In another verse in Surah al-Ahqaf, Almighty Allah says: ‘Those who say our Lord is Allah and remain firm (on the path), on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve’ ([46]:13).

Almighty Allah promises believers who follow His law, perform salat, give charity and act righteously that they will have no fear.

Here is a simple programme for everyone to follow. On the first day, write down the six most important things you

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want to do in life. Reading the Noble Qur’an and Hadith literature to understand the Sunnah of the noble Messenger Muhammad (S) should be one of them. The following day, start working on one of the things on your list, only one at a time, making sure you start with the most important. Stick to the task you start with until it is complete. If you choose to read the Noble Qur’an, within weeks it will change your life.

Some of us worry about failed relationships, financial problems or an imperfect childhood. Don’t be caught up in the past, regretting what should have been done. Allowing the mind to brood over past regrets will influence our lifeforce. Focus your energy on actions to take that will make a difference in your life in the future. Concentrate on all the good with which Almighty Allah has blessed us; use the energy to think of ways to make things better. Always pray with gratitude to Almighty Allah.

Remember Almighty Allah cares about our feelings and emotions. He wants us to discover Him through His inspiration.

In the noble Qur’an Surah Yunus Almighty Allah emphasizes: ‘O mankind there hath come to you a direction from Allah. A healing for the diseases in your hearts and for those who believe, a guidance and a mercy.’ ([10]:57).

Fear is a disease that causes spiritual death. The noble Qur’an builds the soul; it is a healing and a mercy.

If we follow Almighty Allah’s laws in the Noble Qur’an, our conduct will show that we are firm on the path of truth.

Almighty Allah says no fear can possibly come on the faithful believer and no calamity can cause grief. Almighty Allah is our Cherisher, Sustainer, Defender, Guardian, Confidant, Protector and Helper, our Hope and our Comfort, Who will never fail us.

Almighty Allah will open the enormous potential of our minds; set the sixth sense to work wonders and deliver everything we want in life, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Almighty Allah wants us to manage our minds and thoughts. ‘The best antidote to fear is knowledge.’ Read the Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah; within weeks you will, insha’Allah, notice a change in your behaviour. The way we think is habit, so by simply changing habits we will change our lives and finally change our destiny in this world and the Hereafter.

In Surah Fatir, Almighty Allah says: ‘And establish regular salat and whoever purifies himself does so for the benefit of his own soul; and the destination of all is to Allah’ ([35]:18). Jalaluddin Rumi (ra) said: ‘Sometimes peace is hidden in fear [of Allah] and benefits are hidden in difficulties.’