بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Life is never a bed of roses. We suffer from heartbreak, pain, and calamity, any of which might drive us to extreme distress and anxiety.
Stress and anxiety do have their place. They push us to make necessary changes in our lives. They signal when we may be in danger, and inspire us to take action to get ourselves out of danger. This danger can be any type of threat to our physical or emotional well-being, from not doing well on a test to losing a job to losing friends or loved ones. In this way, feelings of stress and anxiety are healthy and necessary; without them, we may not act in our own best interest.
The point at which worry and anxiety become unhealthy is when they stop pushing us to act. This can either be because we are worried about things that are not under our control or that have not happened yet, or because we are immobilized by the stress and anxiety we feel, rather than being inspired to act. Whatever the reason, this worry and anxiety can cause a lot of stress on our minds and bodies, and affect our health. Excessive or unmanaged anxiety can become unhealthy if it takes the form of an anxiety disorder, for example. When this happens it is important that we seek help for it.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with father and son) said, I was riding behind the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) one day and he said:
O young man, I shall teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah and He will take care of you. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. If you ask then ask of Allah, and if you seek help then seek help from Allah. Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you in some way, they would not benefit you except in something that Allah has decreed for you, and if they were to gather together to harm you in some way, they would not harm you except in something that Allah has decreed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.”
[al-Tirmidhi]
Allah Most High has revealed the Qur'an as a guide for mankind till the end of time, giving us a guide to help us through trials and hardship.
Some surahs of the Qur'an are valuable reading during periods of anxieties, as their meanings and messages can help alleviate distress and anxieties, inshaa Allah.
Surah Ad-Dhuha (https://quran.com/93)
Allah Most High revealed it at a time when our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was going through extreme distress and sorrow, to soothe him.
The Surah reminds the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) of the blessings that Allah has opened for him and asks him to help the poor and the needy and to make mention of the blessings of Allah upon him.
Surah Al-Inshirah (https://quran.com/94)
Along with Surah Ad-Dhuha, Allah also revealed Surah Al-Inshirah in the Qur'an. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to feel the heavy weight of his task and responsibility of the Prophethood. He was saddled with a nerve-racking and back-breaking task of raising a morally degenerated people, through propagation of Tauhid (Oneness of God) and elimination of kufr and shirk, from the depths of moral turpitude to the peaks of spiritual excellence, and then through them to cleanse and purify the whole of mankind of the dross of iniquity, ignorance and superstition. Some narration report that a few strands of his beard had turned grey as a result of this command. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said that the following verse has made me old:
... فَٱسْتَقِمْ كَمَآ أُمِرْتَ
(So remain on a right course as you have been commanded ... ) [Qur'an, Hud 11:112]
Allah tells the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) about how Allah had eased the pain that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) felt internally by revealing to him the Qur'an. Allah mentions how He will raise the mention of His Prophet around the world. His blessed name is remembered together with the Name of Allah in all the symbols of Islam, like the kalimah, the adhzn, the iqamah, and in sermons from the minarets and pulpits [throughout the world]. And today every second somewhere on earth the adhaan (call to prayer) is going on and someone somewhere is saying Ashadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah (I bear witness Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah). Allah also mentions that both before hardship and after hardship is ease. Then He instructs the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to pray to His Lord after he is done with his duties to the people.
Hasan Al-Basri (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that once the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) emerged from his home in a very happy mood and, giving cheerful news to his Companions on the basis of the current verse, said: "One hardship cannot overcome twofold ease".
Surah Yusuf (https://quran.com/12)
Among the early surahs revealed to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was Surah Yusuf. This is a unique surah in the Qur'an in that most of it relates just the story of one prophet of Allah, Yusuf (peace be upon him). Countless lessons can be derived from this surah and a lot of it has to do with dealing with hardship— how Ya'qub and Yusuf (peace be upon them) dealt with pain and suffering in this world and how Allah elevated both of them due to their patience. This was also a surah revealed to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to console him, and this should work brilliantly for us too.
Surah Al-Isra (https://quran.com/17), Al-Kahf (https://quran.com/18), Maryam (https://quran.com/19), Taha (https://quran.com/20), Al-Anbiya' (https://quran.com/21)
The eminent companion of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (radi Allahu anhu) said concerning these surahs (Surahs 17, 18, 19, 20, 21), “They were among the first chapters to be revealed and they are my treasures.” Imam al-Bayhaqi mentions about this narration, “He was referring to the superiority of these surahs because of what they contain of stories of the prophets (peace be upon them) and the nations. And they were among the first surahs to be revealed at the beginning of Islam, because they are Makkan surahs, and they were among the first parts of the Qur'an to be recited and memorized.” All of these Surahs contain lots of stories of the prophets, of the nations of old, and of Bani Israeel in particular. All of these stories help with distress and anxiety and help us feel the Power and Majesty of Allah.
Surah Ar-Rahman (https://quran.com/55)
Surah Ar-Rahman probably has the most vivid imagery of both Paradise and Hellfire. It also tells us of so many blessings of Allah that are mentioned within it. It is a surah that is soothing to the ears, calming on the heart, and food for the soul. With its beautiful imagery, description of Paradise, and a mention of the blessings of our Lord, it can take us out of the extreme distress and sorrow.
Surah An-Naas (https://quran.com/114)
A lot of times the extreme anxieties and sorrow has a lot to do with low self-esteem and self-doubt. A lot of it is exaggerated by the whisperings of Shaytan who has sworn to deviate every last human being he can on planet Earth. However, Allah is The Most Merciful and among the surahs He has revealed to combat the whispers of Shaytan is Surah An-Naas. Reciting it often can help in removing doubts and whisperings and is a surah which brings protection from Allah.
May Allah help us stay connected with His Book. May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next, and ease those who are suffering. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and He alone grants success.
Wassalaam
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