Is It Wrong to Avoid Work or Study and Stay Home?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
Is it wrong to stay home and focus on recovering from mental health struggles while practicing my faith and doing household tasks, instead of pursuing worldly achievements? What should I do?
Answer
Thank you for your question. There is nothing wrong with staying home to recover from mental health struggles.
Purpose of Life
The purpose of life is to worship Allah as though you see Him, which can be accomplished in many ways. Man intuitively knows this, as Allah (Most High) has told us in the Quran about the people of understanding, “˹They are˺ those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth ˹and pray˺, “Our Lord! You have not created ˹all of˺ this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire.” [Quran 3:191]
Worldly Achievements
Worldly achievements are nothing but a means to worship Allah (Most High). But our Lord can be worshipped in any number of ways and one is not necessarily better than another.
‘Imran Ibn Husayn reported: It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, are the people of Paradise and the people of Hellfire known?” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Yes.” It was said, “Then what is the use of deeds?” The Prophet said, “Everyone will be facilitated to that for which he was created.” [Bukhari; Muslim]
Responsibilities
That being said, if you are obliged to support anyone, you must find a way to provide that support to your family while healing your mental health. If another is supporting you, it would be wise to consider pitching in financially.
Working, volunteering, and being of service to those in need can all be means of healing and worship; don’t undermine your contribution. Pray istikhara about your next step, speak to a mental health professional, and consult a local imam or trusted friends or relatives. I am certain that what you are meant to do will naturally open up for you by His grace.
Resources
Please use the following resources to help yourself heal and make this supplication daily:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
O Allah! I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from being heavily in debt, and from being overpowered by men. [Bukhari]
Please see these links as well:
- Mental Wellness Workshop: Balkhi’s The Health of Bodies and Souls
- Dealing With Depression: Tradition
- Are There Specific Foods and Prayers to Improve Mental Health and Make the Brain Healthier?
- Mental Wellness: Balance and Trust
- Is It Permissible to Do EFT Tapping and Access Bars Therapy?
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 aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s 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.