How Can I Reconnect with Allah During Hardship and Anxiety?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
How can my husband and I reconnect with Allah when facing hardship, anxiety, and spiritual disconnect despite trying to remain steadfast?
Answer
Thank you for your question. I urge you to reconnect with Allah through abundant du`a, reading and reflection on the Quran, obligatory and tahajjud prayers and learning about the life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Repentance especially unlocks the heart and consistent gratitude.
Hardship
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“Wondrous is the affair of the believer! All of his affairs are good. This is not the case for anyone except the believer: If something pleasing happens to him, he is grateful, and that is good for him. If something harmful happens to him, he is patient, and that is good for him.” [Muslim]
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said,
“The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath.” [Ibn Maja]
Test
Hardships and anxiety are a natural part of life, and we must remember that we are being tested on our reactions to them. If we face them with steadfastness and turn to Allah, they help us draw nearer to Him. Never despair, keep on going and the ups and downs of life will help you renew your intentions and reach a higher rank than before, by Allah’s grace.
Please find hope and solace in the following hadith: The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in times of ease, and He will know you in times of hardship. And know that what missed you was not going to hit you, and what hit you was not going to miss you. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.” [Nawawi, Riyad al-Salihin]
Please see excellent and practical tips here:
- How Do I Get Back My Feeling of Piety and Sincerity in Religion?
- How to Be Truly Sincere to My Religion as I Have a Lot of Misgivings and Doubts?
- Does Living a Pious Life Require Sacrifice and Pain?
- How Do I Cope With the Constant Hardships and Challenges in My Life?
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied ‘aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
