What Is the Islamic View on Handling Fear and Anxiety?

Answered by Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad

Question

What is the Islamic perspective on fear and anxiety caused by life’s pressures?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

Understanding Fear and Anxiety

It is noticeable in our current era that the phenomenon of anxiety and fear has become widespread among people. Perhaps the lifestyle that humans have adopted is one of the main reasons for this prevalent anxiety.

Allah (Most High) has guided us to what alleviates the burden of these pressures and anxieties. First, Allah (Most High) made it clear that humans are naturally inclined to fear. He said:

“Indeed, humankind was created impatient: distressed when touched with evil, and withholding when touched with good.” [Quran, 70:19-21]

While acknowledging the innate nature of fear in humans and that every person is inevitably afraid, Allah (Most High) provided steps to address this fear:

Feeling the Presence of Allah (Most High)

First: Realizing and feeling the presence of Allah (Most High). Allah (Most High) assured two of His Prophets, Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) (peace be upon them), of His presence when they feared the tyranny of Pharaoh. Allah (Most High) said:

“They both pleaded, ‘Our Lord! We fear that he may be quick to harm us or act tyrannically.’ Allah reassured (them), ‘Have no fear! I am with you, hearing and seeing.’” [Quran, 20:45-46]

This divine reassurance had a clear impact on how Musa (peace be upon him) dealt with his people when they feared Pharaoh’s oppression. He calmed them, saying:

“When the two groups came face to face, the companions of Moses cried out, ‘We are overtaken for sure.’ Moses reassured (them), ‘Absolutely not! My Lord is certainly with me—He will guide me.’” [Quran, 26:61-62]

Fearing Allah (Most High) Alone

Second: Directing the heart toward the true fear of Allah (Most High). The anger and punishment of Allah (Most High) for those who disobey His commands, commit sins, or associate partners with Him is the most deserving of fear. Allah (Most High) said:

“And Allah has said, ‘Do not take two gods. There is only One God. So be in awe of Me (alone).’” [Quran, 16:51]

Recognizing Imaginary Fears

Third: Realizing that most fear is imaginary and a result of the whisperings of Shaytan (Satan). Allah (Most High) said:

“That (warning) was only (from) Satan, trying to prompt you to fear his followers. So do not fear them; fear Me if you are (true) believers.” [Quran, 3:175]

Whatever afflicts a Muslim does not happen randomly but is decreed by Allah (Most High) even before the creation of the heavens and the earth. Allah (Most High) said:

“No calamity (or blessing) occurs on earth or in yourselves without being (written) in a Record before We bring it into being. This is certainly easy for Allah.” [Quran, 57:22]

Ultimately, when Muslims plant in their heart a firm fear of Allah (Most High) and remove imaginary fears caused by Shaytan’s whisperings, they will attain security, which drives away anxiety.

Practical Steps to Combat Anxiety

The Quran and the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) have clarified the ways that keep fear and anxiety away from a person. Among them are:

Trusting in Allah’s Wisdom

Complete certainty in the wisdom, power, and knowledge of Allah. Allah (Most High) said:

“Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.” [Quran, 16:97]

It is narrated from Suhayb (Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“How wonderful is the affair of the believer! Indeed, all of his affairs are good, and this is not the case for anyone except the believer. If something good happens to him, he is grateful, and that is good for him. And if something harmful happens to him, he is patient, and that is good for him.” [Muslim; Ibn Hibban]

Not Making This World the Primary Concern

A true believer should not make this world their greatest concern, worrying about their livelihood and suffering over their sustenance. Instead, they should be content with what Allah has decreed for them and find satisfaction in it.

It is narrated from Anas Ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Whoever makes the Hereafter their concern, Allah will place richness in their heart, gather their affairs, and the world will come to them reluctantly. And whoever makes this world their concern, Allah will place poverty before their eyes, disperse their affairs, and nothing will come to them from the world except what has been decreed for them.” [Tirmidhi; Bazzar]

Seeking Refuge in Allah

Seeking refuge in Allah and frequently supplicating to Him, just as Sayyiduna Yunus (peace be upon him) did. Allah (Most High) informed us about this, saying:

“And (remember) when the Man of the Whale stormed off (from his city) in a rage, thinking We would not restrain him. Then, in the (veils of) darkness, he cried out, ‘There is no god (worthy of worship) except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong.’ So We answered his prayer and rescued him from anguish. And so do We save the (true) believers.” [Quran, 21:87-88]

Dua (Supplication)

Reciting the Prophetic supplications frequently. It is narrated from Ibn Mas‘ud (Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“No servant of Allah ever says, when afflicted with anxiety or grief:

‘O Allah, I am Your servant, the son of Your servant, the son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your hand. Your command over me is forever executed, and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You, which You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or taught to any of Your creation, or kept with You in the knowledge of the unseen, to make the Quran the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the remover of my sorrow, and the departure of my anxiety,’ except that Allah will remove their anxiety and replace their sorrow with joy.”

They said: “O Messenger of Allah, should we learn these words?” He replied: “Yes, whoever hears them should learn them.” [Ibn Hibban; Hakim; Ahmad]

We ask Allah to remove from our hearts all fear except of Him and to fill our hearts with tranquility and peace. Indeed, He is Most Merciful and Compassionate. And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.

[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad