According to a report by the Gallup Institute, “the level of stress and anxiety among humans reached a record high in 2019, with over 55% of individuals in countries such as Greece and the United States experiencing stress and anxiety” [1].
We live in a world that some call the age of information, the age of experience, or the digital age. However, if we judge fairly, we must say that today’s world, for many of us, is an age of distress and anxiety, an era of worry and sorrow, an age of confusion and despair about life. This worry and anxiety are prevalent in most places and among the majority of people, especially among the youth. The high consumption of tranquilizers in various countries around the world is one of the consequences of modern human life[2].
As psychologists warn, many cases of mental disorders and nervous breakdowns are rooted in worry, confusion, and despair about life. This is the state of the modern world. But what must be done, and what is the healing remedy for this societal ailment? Experts believe that one of the essential solutions to these fundamental problems and unrest lies in firm faith in the heart[3].
The Holy Qur’an and the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) also confirm this matter. The logic of the Qur’an and the narrations of the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) is that if you are with God, and if the remembrance of God permeates your heart and you always see yourself in His presence, then in times of crisis, God will be your supporter and refuge[4].
“…and there will no longer be any room for worry or anxiety in your heart”[5]. The Qur’an emphasizes this repeatedly, stating that the friends of God—those who have a close relationship with Him and whose bond with God is strong—neither fear the future nor grieve over the past[6].
In this regard, Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) also states:
“How can one be helpless when God is their guardian and provider?”[7].
It is this faith and trust in God that gives a person vitality, strengthens their patience and perseverance, and removes fear, anxiety, and worry from their heart.
(Adapted from the book “Child Upbringing in Islam” by Ayatollah Hossein Mazaheri, with some modifications and additions.)
Footnotes:
[1] Gallup Global Emotions Report 2019:
https://www.gallup.com/analytics/248906/gallup-global-emotions-report-2019.aspx
[2] Refer to OECD health statistics, available at:
http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/health-data.htm
[3] Examples include studies from Mayo Clinic and the University of Toronto:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044464
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090304160400.htm
[4] Qur’an, Surah Al-Talaq, verse 3
[5] Qur’an, Surah Al-Ra’d, verse 28
[6] Qur’an, Surah Yunus, verse 62
[7] Nuzhat al-Nazir, p. 134