Worry about the Future?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

In this world full of uncertainties, we have anxieties about a whole lot of things -- we are afraid of not having enough money for this and for that, afraid of failing the exam, nervous about a job interview, afraid the plane might crash, worry about our children, nervous about going through the airport security, afraid of talking in front of an audience, and so on. Some people worry just about everything, even worried about how people will look at them funny in a particular clothing. It is debilitating to live a life of anxiety and hard on people around you.

Of course, this is different from thinking of the future and preparing for it, which is praiseworthy and does not fall under the category of anxiety. We should think about the Hereafter all the time, and that thinking should be reflected in all the things we do throughout the day.

Observe your day today and list down all your worries.

So how do we cease to worry and begin living our lives with peace? Know that much of our worries will go away by listening to what Allah says. Allah says you don’t need to be afraid فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ. This phrase occurs so many times in the Qur'an.

Allah says about a group of people that there will be no fear on them. Allah says this after He orders Adam and Eve to descend on earth. Who are these amazing people? They are people who follow His guidance.

قُلْنَا ٱهْبِطُوا۟ مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّى هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٣٨

We said, "Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (38)

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:38]

Allah clarifies further in other places what is meant to ‘follow My guidance’:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٢٧٧

Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (277)

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:277]

So it means that if we obey Allah, we don’t need to be worried about the future.

Also, remember that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said,

If you were to rely on Allah as He should be relied on, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out early in the morning hungry and return in the evening full.

[Tirmidhi]

If you are still worried, you just need to ask one question to dispel this idea: did the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam behave in that way? Our Prophet sallalllahu alayhi wassallam was a very optimistic person. In fact, he advised us to have good opinion of Allah, and that automatically means being optimistic about the future. Learn more about him and his teachings and you will find solace in your life.

Once you have certainty that Allah guarantees that you will not grieve if you obey Him, have complete trust that Allah will take care of everything, and have a good opinion of Allah, you will not spend a moment longer worrying about things inshaAllah.

Note: If you are having a serious persistent anxiety problem, do not hesitate to check with a doctor or psychiatrist, because it could be a symptom of many psychological and biological problems.

Make a Ramadhan resolution that you will spend more time reading and understanding the Qur'an and less time worrying about things.

O Allah, I am your slave, the son of your slave. My forelock is in Your Hand. Your judgment of me is inescapable. Your trial of me is just. I am invoking You by all the names that You call Yourself, that You have taught to anyone in Your creation, that You have mentioned in Your Book, or that You have kept unknown. Let the Qur’an be delight of my heart, the light of my chest, the remover of my sadness and the pacifier of my worries.

Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam