Five Tips to Deal with Emotional Challenges

By Tasnim Nazeer

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

We face many challenges during our lifetime. Most of the obstacles and hardships in our life spur our emotions and at times, we often feel unable to cope. As Muslims, we know that this life is a test and we will be rewarded for our patience in the face of hardships in this life.

Allah (swt) tells us in the Qur’an: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” (al-Baqarah 2:55)

Here are five tips to deal with emotional challenges:

1.Turn to Allah

Every time you face worry, hardship, challenges, or struggles in your life, turn to Allah (swt). Supplicate in your salah (prayers), and ask Allah for His help to overcome your worries. Only Allah can take away hardships, so you should turn only to Him for help. Turning to Allah can ease your heart and give you a sense of relief. Remember that with every hardship comes ease, Allah willing. Allah (swt) promises us that things will get better if we rely on His infinite guidance. He mentions in the Qur’an:

“…And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” (at-Talaq 65:2-3)

2. Replace thoughts of loss with feelings of gratitude

When we go through some form of hardship, it is often due to a loss of someone or a material thing. It can be difficult to deal with losing something that is dear to us or is significant in our lives. At these times, we should replace the thoughts of what we have lost and focus on the blessings from Allah that we do have in our life. When adversity strikes, we often lose focus and redirect our attention to what we do not have. Change your mindset and you will see that concentrating on your blessings will ease the feelings of loss and enable you to heal more quickly.

3. Respond with Patience

Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him.” (Muslim) This indicates how we should respond when we face adversity; it also shows us that due to the nature of this temporary life we should remain patient and trust the power of Allah.

4. Maintain your Salah (Prayer)

Many people who experience emotional struggles often feel like neglecting salah. You should always maintain your salah and remember that it is through salah that you can find your relief. Allah will provide you the steps to offer you a solution to your problems but this cannot happen without you performing salah with humbleness and sincerity. The Prophet (sa) warned us: “What differentiates us from the disbelievers and hypocrites is our performance of Salah. He who abandons it becomes a disbeliever.” (At-Tirmidhi; authentic) Therefore, even at your lowest point, never abandon your salah.

5. Let the Qur’an Guide You

Allah has given us many ways to relieve our hearts. These include supplications, salah, and the light and guidance of His words in the Qur’an. Use the Qur’an to find answers to your troubles. All the blessed prophets of Allah were tested throughout their lives. How did they respond to these challenges? Discover the treasures of the Qur’an and immerse yourself with knowledge that can enable you to deal with the emotional challenges of life more easily.

Tasnim Nazeer is an award winning Freelance Journalist/Writer and Author who has written for a variety of print and online publications including CNN International, The Muslim News, Your Middle East, Islam Channel and many more. She was awarded The Muslim News Award for Excellence in Media 2013 and is an UN Universal Peace Federation Ambassador for Peace. For more information, visit her website at www.tasnimnazeer.com or follow her on Twitter: @tasnimnazeer1

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