WHY WORRY—ALMIGHTY ALLAH LOVES YOU

‘When Love of Allah takes possession of the innermost being of Allah’s bondsman, it empties him of every fire-occupation except remembrance of Allah.’ —Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (ra)

We spend the best years of our lives worrying about things that either happened or will happen in the future. Worry is a bad habit; we must be aware that most of the things we worry about never happen. Worry exhausts the mind of its power, burns the soul, and reduces the quality of life. When we are worried, our energy gets consumed and drained.

Do not allow worry and fear to stifle and control your destiny. The habit of worry encourages us to focus on how difficult life has become and we anticipate problems; our mind wanders instead of focusing on our work and taking the right action. Uncompleted tasks are the most exhausting; they wear us out. The longer we let things slide, the harder they become.

The antidote to worry is faith in Almighty Allah. Life is filled with uncertainty, we are without doubt certain that we have an appointment with Almighty Allah, only He knows the time.

In life we must be able to live with uncertainty; even enjoy it, when our faith in Almighty Allah is absolute and we become comfortable with uncertainty by the Grace and Mercy of Almighty Allah infinite possibilities and opportunities open up into our lives. That means fear is no longer a dominant factor in what we do and no longer prevents us from taking action to initiate change.

Action is the builder of confidence and closes the door on worry and fear. Do not wait until everything is perfect, act and expect success, rely on Almighty Allah. It is better to be 80% sure and make things happen, than it is to wait until you are 100% sure, because by then, the opportunity will have already passed. In life, look before you leap, but do not look too long, for you may never leap. A Chinese proverb says: ‘He who deliberates fully before taking a step will spend his entire life on one leg.’ The tragedy for many people isn’t that life ends too soon, it is they wait too long to begin living life the way Allah wants.

It is said ‘Tomorrow is the only day in a year that appeals to a lazy man.’ The only time we have absolute control of is the present.

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Almighty Allah reminds us in Surah al-Shura: ‘We have made the noble Qur’an a light, wherewith we guide such of our servants as we will’ ([42]:52). Almighty Allah will guide the believer that follows what pleases Him. The noble Qur’an is a light that imparts happiness to those hearts that are inclined towards the word of Allah.

Almighty Allah delivers His believing servants from darkness of disbelief, worry, fear, doubt and hesitation, to the light of truth and peace.

Worry or fear is from Iblees, who beautifies the path of ignorance that has caused humankind to deviate from the path of Almighty Allah.

Challenges are part of living; no one goes through life without challenges. The time people waste arguing and debating unnecessary problems in comparison to legitimate problems is estimated as follows: things that never happen—40%; things from the past that can’t be changed by worry—30%; needless worries about health—12%; petty miscellaneous worries—10%; real legitimate challenges in life—8%.

In short, 92% of the average person’s worries take up valuable time, cause painful stress, mental anguish and are completely unnecessary. Legitimate challenges in life consist of two types: problems we can solve; and those beyond our ability to solve. These are in the hands of Almighty Allah.

Millions of people are running around with problems, not realizing they are challenges that they are able to solve if they learn how. Research suggests that successful people had the same difficult challenges, but the difference is they had staying power and patience to solve them.

We will reach our goals if we have staying power. Successful people are those with a definite purpose and plan for reaching their goals.

The Noble Qur’an tells us Almighty Allah is with those who patiently persevere. He guarantees success as mentioned in Surah Yusuf: ‘He that is righteous and patient—never will Allah suffer the reward to be lost of those who do right’ ([12]:90).

In Surah al-Baqarah, Almighty Allah tells us: ‘Seek Allah’s help with patient perseverance and in salat’ ([2]:45). In Surah al-Imran Almighty Allah says: ‘O you firmly committed [to Allah], persevere in patience and constancy, strive in perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah that ye may prosper’ ([3]:200).

To be successful we must be patient during times of difficulty. When facing challenges in life, Almighty Allah promises relief and success to those who pray to seek His help, remember and rely on Him at all times. The power of patience is active; it is concentrated strength.

Almighty Allah is willing to assist and protect us to succeed in all our endeavours. In Surah al-Imran we read: ‘Allah is the Protector of those who believe and have faith [in Him]’ ([3]:68). Worry is infectious; like physical illness it produces an unhealthy environment for our near and dear ones; for WHY WORRY—ALMIGHTY ALLAH LOVES YOU    167 those we love. Worry and fear are contagious; they spread a negative feeling of fear in the entire family. This is in conflict with the power of Almighty Allah (SWT) that is subject to sound human nature.

The best way to overcome the habit of worry is to spend some time in salat (prayer), and during sajdah (prostration) have a heart-to-heart talk with Almighty Allah. After that, surrender to the Will of Almighty Allah; leave your problems to Him; and have the expectation that He, without doubt, will inspire you with a method to overcome your difficulties and challenges. Thereafter continue your work, leaving the problem in Almighty Allah’s care.

Do this every day. Insha-Allah, a solution will dawn on you or Almighty Allah will send someone who will inspire you or an opportunity will come your way. That will be Almighty Allah’s answer to the believer. In Surah Talaq Allah says: ‘Allah will grant a way out to the faithful from sources he least expects.’ ([65]:2-3)

Every time you think of something that disturbs you, talk to Almighty Allah in your salat. This simple procedure will help you overcome the habit of fear and worry. Almighty Allah’s help and protection will never fail the believer who has absolute faith and trust in Him. Almighty Allah promises in Surah al-Baqarah: ‘Whoever rejects evil (worry and fears) and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks, Allah heareth and knoweth all things’ ([2]:256).

Faith in Almighty Allah is a blessing for the believers. It provides one with peace of mind and heart, assurance and support that Almighty Allah will hold the hand of those believers who rely on Him. Absolute faith and reliance on Almighty Allah is the answer to all challenges in life.

Physicians of the body know that in terms of the mind, worry is the major contributing factor to ill health. Human beings have destroyed their health physically, mentally and spiritually, because they worry about things they have no control over. People go to various doctors for help, to seek cures for their illnesses. No outward treatment can cure an inward condition. It is like spraying rose water over cancer.

The answer to all the problems of people is to put an end to fear and worry, which is the main cause of the outward physical manifestation. It is the cure of the inward condition that can save people going from doctor to doctor. The body has a built-in pharmacy. Spend the money you use to pay for doctors’ consultation by buying the right kind of books.

The first must be to read the Noble Qur’an and the life of the noble Messenger Muhammad (S), a definite spiritual method to heal the body, mind and soul. In essence, the Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah contain the formulae for living a life of peace, good health, free of worry and fear.

Fear and worry can be banished from the mind. One has to practise a new attitude to life. To change one’s belief and habits requires long and persistent cultivation. Spend more WHY WORRY—ALMIGHTY ALLAH LOVES YOU    169 time dwelling upon our blessings instead of our troubles. Be grateful to Allah; live with an attitude of gratitude.

Hope and faith in Almighty Allah is the antidote to fear and worry. Almighty Allah promises relief to those who struggle and experience difficulty. We may be on the threshold of success, but our creative gifts and plans can be sabotaged by fear and worry. The more we confront our fears, the more we will grow and be empowered.

There is no need to worry about the decisions that have been taken in the past. All you have to do is put them out of your mind by remembering Almighty Allah. Experience is part of life; it is a great teacher. When you have taken a decision that is successful, praise and thank Almighty Allah. This will close the gate to thoughts that have been worrying you. You will pass through this phase and experience peace of mind and succeed in all your endeavours, insha’Allah.

In Surah an-Nur, Almighty Allah reminds us: ‘To Allah belongs the dominion of the Heavens and the Earth; and to Allah is the final goal of all’ ([24]:42). We come from Almighty Allah, to Him we belong and to Him we will return. In Surah Al-Ahzab, Almighty Allah says: ‘It is Allah who sends blessings on you with His angels; He takes you out of the depths of darkness into the light and He is full of Mercy to the Believers’ ([33]:43).

In Surah az-Zumur, Almighty Allah says to the noble Messenger Muhammad (S): ‘Say to my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah; for Allah Forgives all sins; He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful’ ([39]:53).

Almighty Allah loves His creation; His mercy descends on all who remember Him. Remembrance of Almighty Allah keeps our hearts alive. In Surah al-Imran, Almighty Allah promises the faithful believer: ‘When thou hast taken a decision put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in Him. If Allah helps you none can overcome you’ ([3]:159/160).

We should seek refuge in Almighty Allah, Who is our final destiny. When we turn to Almighty Allah for guidance, He will show Mercy and Forgiveness to those who appeal to Him in times of difficulty.

Almighty Allah wishes well for His entire creation, His angels carry out His tasks. When we seek His mercy in times of fear and worry, He responds and inspires us with His Mercy and Guidance. He infuses us with knowledge to comprehend both the material and spiritual worlds, and showers us with His mercy and blessings.