Feeling down in the dumps, depressed, having
the blues… These are just some of the terms used to describe a
feeling of hopelessness and despair that can hit even the most
optimistic of us at some point in our lives. However when
sadness, gloom and unhappiness becomes a permanent mark of our
lives, when it creates a feeling of hopelessness, helplessness
and worthlessness, when it interferes with our ability to work,
study, eat, sleep, and mix with people we may be suffering from
abnormal levels of despair otherwise called depression.Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam taught us a du’aa against
despondency which, in amazing brevity, also reveals the
consequences of acute depression. The du’aa reads as follow: “O’
Allaah I seek your protection from anxiety, sorrow, inability,
laziness, cowardice, stinginess, overpowering debt and
subjugation by fellow man” This du’aa speaks about the eight
emotional traits of a person overcome by severe dejection:
1. Anxiety: An unexplained cloud of constant
worry, fear, a boding that something bad is going to take place.
You feel agitated, restless, and are on the edge all the time.
2. Sorrow: A sense of dejection that crushes
both your body and mind. You almost believe that it is not
possible to be happy. Feeling of not being cherished and
respected by anyone
3. A feeling of uselessness: A Feelings of
helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever
get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your
situation. You are locked into victim mode. This drops your
tolerance levels. Everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
4. Laziness/fatigue: Neither interest nor any
willingness to pick yourself up. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and
physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even
small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
5. Cowardice: Lack of self-confidence. Strong
feelings of worthlessness or guilt. A bleak outlook—nothing will
ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your
situation.
6. Stinginess: No interested in the welfare of
others. You are too preoccupied in your own gloom to even think
of the happiness of other people.
7. Overpowering debt: Trouble focusing, making
decisions, you become financially reckless in the hope of buying
yourself out of misery. You engage in escapist behavior.
8. Subjugation by fellow man: Under the control
of other people. You feel pressured by those around you. You no
longer believe in yourself and feel compelled to toe the line.
A Muslim should always assume the best about Allaah. He should
strive to do his best and expect the best outcome: that Allah
will accept his good deeds; that Allaah from His grace will
forgive him; and that Allaah will bless him to live out his life,
until its conclusion, upon faith. Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam has said: “None of you should die except while assuming
the best about Allaah.” (Muslim)
Our challenge under all circumstances is to act as best as we
can with the firm conviction that whatever afflicts us was never
meant to miss us and whatever misses us was never meant for us.
We believe that our life ultimately unfolds in accordance to the
will of Allaah! “No calamity befalls the earth and neither your
own selves unless it be laid down in our decree long before we
bring it into being – verily that is easy for Allaah. So that you
may not despair over whatever good escapes you nor become
arrogant over whatever good has come your way” (57: 22)
May Allaah grant us the ability to turn each anxiety, each fear
and each concern into an opportunity for making du’aa and
turning to Him with repentance.
AAMEEN
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