Wave Off All the Worries: Ibn al-Qayyim’s Guide to Finding Peace
In times of stress and hardship, it’s easy to feel weighed down by worries and regret. Yet, as Muslims, we are reminded that peace and relief are always within reach, with the help of Allah. Islamic scholar Ibn al-Qayyim, renowned for his wisdom and understanding of the human soul, outlined fifteen powerful ways through which Allah may dispel a believer’s worries and grant them tranquillity. By following these steps, we can strive for a heart at peace and a life unburdened by stress.
Let’s explore each of these pathways in detail and embrace the joy of a worry-free life.
1. Strengthen Your Connection with Allah
The first step to overcoming worry is to build a strong connection with Allah. By increasing acts of worship, such as prayer and supplication, we invite divine support into our lives. This bond strengthens our trust in Allah’s wisdom and relieves us from the burden of trying to control every outcome.
2. Reflect on Allah’s Blessings
Take time to reflect on the countless blessings Allah has granted. Gratitude is a powerful antidote to worry, as it shifts our focus from what we lack to what we already have. When we remember Allah’s generosity, we feel reassured and blessed, which helps diminish feelings of regret.
3. Embrace Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah)
Putting complete trust in Allah, known as tawakkul, can lift a great weight off our shoulders. When we rely on Allah’s wisdom, knowing that He is in control, we free ourselves from overthinking and the need to predict every outcome.
4. Increase Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)
Seeking forgiveness for our sins (istighfar) helps cleanse the heart and removes the weight of guilt and regret. Regularly asking for forgiveness also brings a sense of renewal and closeness to Allah, allowing us to move forward with a light heart.
5. Engage in Positive Actions
In times of distress, engaging in good deeds, whether helping others or improving oneself, brings comfort. Ibn al-Qayyim emphasized the importance of being proactive and doing good, as positive actions lift the spirit and draw blessings into our lives.
6. Recite and Reflect on the Quran
The Quran is a source of guidance, comfort, and wisdom. Regular recitation and reflection on its meanings can help us gain perspective, as the words of Allah remind us of His mercy and the temporary nature of worldly struggles.
7. Hold on to Hope in Allah’s Mercy
Believing that Allah’s mercy is greater than any of our hardships brings solace and hope. When we maintain hope in Allah’s mercy, we stay motivated and positive, even in difficult situations.
8. Make Du’a for Relief and Guidance
Du’a (supplication) is a direct way to communicate our worries to Allah. By pouring our hearts out in prayer, we experience relief, and Allah’s guidance brings clarity and peace.
9. Practice Patience and Perseverance (Sabr)
Patience, or sabr, is a virtue that helps us stay strong during challenging times. By practicing patience, we maintain our composure and faith, knowing that Allah will eventually bring relief.
10. Surround Yourself with Positive Company
Keeping good, supportive friends who encourage faith and positivity is essential. Positive company uplifts the soul, offers reassurance, and reminds us of the importance of trust in Allah.
11. Remember the Temporary Nature of This World
Reminding ourselves of the temporary nature of this world helps us detach from its troubles. When we focus on the Hereafter, worldly worries seem small, and we feel comforted by the eternal peace that awaits the faithful.
12. Focus on the Present Moment
Worry often arises from dwelling on the past or fearing the future. Focusing on the present and doing our best today helps prevent anxiety and cultivates a calm, worry-free mind.
13. Reflect on Allah’s Names and Attributes
Allah’s names and attributes, such as the All-Merciful and the All-Knowing, offer comfort and strength. Reflecting on Allah’s attributes reassures us that He is always watching over us with love and mercy.
14. Avoid Overindulgence in Material Desires
Chasing after material gains can lead to stress and unfulfilled desires. Instead, when we focus on spiritual goals, we experience contentment and reduce worry.
15. Strive for Contentment and Acceptance
Acceptance of Allah’s decree, or qadar, is the foundation of inner peace. When we accept that Allah’s plan is always for our benefit, we find it easier to let go of worries and regrets.
1- Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah (belief in the Oneness of Divine Lordship)
2- Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah (belief in the Oneness of the Divine nature)
3- Tawheed of knowledge and belief (i.e., Tawheed al-Asma’ wa’l_Sifaat, belief in the Oneness of the Divine names and attributes)
4- Thinking of Allaah as being above doing any injustice to His slaves, and above punishing anyone for no cause on the part of the slave that would require such punishment.
5- The person’s acknowledging that he is the one who has done wrong.
6- Beseeching Allah through the things that are most beloved to Him, which are His names and attributes. Two of His names that encompass the meanings of all other names and attributes are al-Hayy (the Ever-Living) and al-Qayyoom (the Eternal). In worries, Prophet Muhammad PBUH used to call Allah by these two names.
7- Seeking the help of Allaah alone.
8- Affirming one’s hope in Him.
9- Truly putting one’s trust in Him and leaving matters and worries to Him, acknowledging that one’s forelock is in His hand and that He does as He wills, that His will is forever executed and that He is just in all that He decrees.
10- Letting one’s heart wander in the garden of the Qur’an, seeking consolation in it from every calamity and worry, seeking healing in it from all diseases of the heart. So that it will bring comfort to his grief and healing for his worries and distress.
11- Seeking forgiveness.
12- Repentance.
13- Jihad.
14- Pray Salah (prayer) to get rid of worries.
15-Declaring that he has no power and no strength, and leaving matters to the One in Whose hand they are.
