The results of a study conducted at the University of Toronto on the human brain reveal that belief in God is a significant factor in controlling anxiety and stress[1].
Human life in this world is always accompanied by anxieties and fears. Some anthropological schools even consider anxiety and fear as a distinguishing characteristic of humans from other creatures, asserting that being human inherently involves experiencing anxiety. Although this view is somewhat extreme, it reflects a partial truth. Such a state can be beneficial in some respects and may produce positive effects, but it is fundamentally not desirable. By nature, humans seek peace of mind. If they experience occasional worries, these must be overshadowed by a greater sense of tranquility; the depth of the human heart must be calm and confident. Minor concerns should resemble surface waves on the sea—visible on the surface but leaving the depths serene and undisturbed.
But what can truly grant humans this tranquility and peace of mind? People employ various means to overcome anxiety and find peace, such as proper nutrition, engaging in favorite activities, material comfort, positive interactions with others, optimism, and more. However, according to the Qur’an, only the remembrance of God can genuinely soothe restless and troubled hearts[2]. Not all individuals, however, derive the same level of benefit from remembering God. In this regard, people’s states can be classified into several categories:
a) Some individuals not only fail to find joy in the remembrance of God but even feel aversion and discomfort from it. The Qur’an states about them: “When God alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion”[3].
b) The second group consists of those who remember God only when they feel a desperate need—when they face severe hardships that cannot be resolved through ordinary means, or when they have no access to such means. The Qur’an describes this group: “When they board a ship and find themselves amidst turbulent waves, they sincerely call upon God. But when He delivers them to safety, they revert to associating others with Him”[4].
c) The third group includes those concerned about their fate on the Day of Judgment. Having committed sins, they seek forgiveness from God and turn to Him to absolve their transgressions or to grant them rewards and blessings in the Hereafter. Although this type of attention to God is commendable, as it indicates faith in Him, it primarily stems from a focus on personal needs, using God as a means to fulfill them.
d) The fourth group comprises individuals who feel a need for God’s remembrance—not to address personal needs, but because they sense a profound void without it. They believe that only by remembering God can they attain true tranquility. In a passage from the noble Du’a Abu Hamza Thumali, Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) says: “O my Lord, only through Your remembrance is my heart revived.”[5] According to Imam Sajjad’s (peace be upon him) statement, this group represents those whose hearts truly come alive with the remembrance of God, and who feel spiritually dead without it. This state reflects a high level of devotion, far superior to the earlier levels, although even this group seeks peace through remembrance of God[6].
While all individuals in the latter three categories benefit from the peace derived from remembering God, the depth and permanence of this peace vary. The closer a person aligns with the fourth category, the more profound and enduring the effects will be. If a person progresses on the path of knowing God, they reach a point where personal needs lose significance, and everything is driven solely by love for God[7].
(Adapted from “A Commentary on Du’a Abu Hamza Thumali” by the late Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, with some modifications and additions.)
Footnotes:
[1] Details of this study and its findings can be found in this academic article.
[2] (Surah Al-Ra’d, Ayah 28)
[3] (Surah Az-Zumar, Ayah 45)
[4] (Surah Al-‘Ankabut, Ayah 65)
[5] “Ya Mawlay, bidhikrika ‘asha qalbi”
[6] For more examples of supplications that encourage the remembrance of God, refer to Sahifa Sajjadiya.
[7] Certainly, the Infallibles (peace be upon them) embody this state. If Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) refers to the fourth category in his supplication, it is intended as guidance for humanity.