How the Qur’an Heals Anxiety and Sadness

In an age where worries accelerate, hearts grow tighter, souls fracture, regret over the past intensifies, and fear of the present and anxiety about the future weigh heavily, man stands bewildered between fading dreams, closing doors, vanishing landmarks, and constant anxiety without a clear reason or excuse. At such moments, some surrender to the grip of sorrow, allowing it to dominate their lives, while others resist and search for a path to salvation. Yet, these seekers often knock on the doors of psychiatrists at times, and the doors of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications at others—forgetting the essential cure that addresses the mind, heart, and soul all at once: a cure that heals, calms, and guides. It is the Qur’an, which was revealed as healing for hearts and their ailments, for worries and their pain. Allah the Almighty says, “O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.” (Yunus: 57)

Anxiety and Sadness

Anxiety is defined as a negative emotional state that arises from uncertainty and is typically linked to the expectation of social failure. It is often caused by being unaware of the source of danger, being an emotion oriented toward the future. If we apply this definition to our current reality, we will find continuous disturbances and persistent fear of what lies ahead—work, family, finances, children, dreams—the mind is always preoccupied with tomorrow: What will happen next?!

At this point, a person begins to feel anxious, and their ambitions and dreams become restrained. But whoever reflects upon the Qur’an will find that Allah addresses this feeling in His words: “And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow.” (Luqman: 34) If one does not know what will happen in the future, and that everything lies in the hands of Allah, who is gentle with His servants and merciful toward them—then why the anxiety, sadness, fear, and tension? Why yield to feelings that only lead to confusion and extinguish the light of hope and optimism?

Treating Anxiety with Dhikr

Allah makes it clear in His Book that dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is one of the most important means of treating anxiety, depression, tension, and fear of the future. This is because the heart finds peace in remembering Allah. He the Almighty says, “Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” (Ar-Ra’d: 28) This noble ayah shows that true tranquility and peace of heart do not lie in wealth, power, or authority, but rather in the remembrance of Allah—a true spiritual remedy that revives the heart and frees it from every worry, distress, sorrow, and anxiety.

Treating Anxiety with the Presence of Allah

Faith in Allah, reliance upon Him in all matters, and sensing His presence at all times and places is one of the most powerful ways to treat the heart and eliminate anxiety. A heart that believes it has a Lord who will not abandon it, disappoint it, or let its hopes fade—such a heart will never be filled with anxiety or dwell in fear or worry.

The Prophet ﷺ, while in the cave with his companion who told him: “If one of them looks at his feet, he will see us.” Yet, sorrow and anxiety refused to dwell in a heart that knew Allah was with him. He ﷺ said to Abu Bakr: “Do not grieve; God is with us.”
This is a message to the entire Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ—a message to every Muslim who knows that Allah is with them: Do not grieve, do not worry, do not fall into despair, Allah is with you.

Treating Anxiety with Patience

Anxiety is often the result of hastiness in expecting outcomes. People want to reach their goals the moment they write them down. They wish to achieve their dreams before they can even blink, striving to attain everything overnight. This, in itself, contradicts logic and the teachings of Islam, which tells us that everything has an appointed time, and that the result of patience is always beautiful. Allah says, “So patience is most fitting.” (Yusuf: 83) Patience without complaint. Patience that trusts in the promise of Allah. This divine remedy is what brought Yusuf back to Ya‘qub (peace be upon them), gave glad tidings to Zakariyya, comforted Ibrahim, supported the Prophet of Allah ﷺ, and spread his message to all mankind. Whoever is patient, earns Allah’s pleasure and Allah turns their distress into relief, their sorrow into joy, and provides for them from where they never expected.

Treating Anxiety with Contentment

The Qur’an came with a divine message that shuts every door of dissatisfaction and despair. It frees a person from anxiety, worry, and sadness. Allah says, “But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you.” (Al-Baqarah: 216) How do you know that the thing that scares you and causes your anxiety is not in fact your greatest good? How do you know that the thing chasing you, despite your avoidance, is the peak of divine comfort? You must be content with Allah’s plan, surrender yourself, your dreams, and ambitions to Him, and always remember the words of the Prophet ﷺ: “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.” (Narrated by Muslim)

Applying This Treatment Practically

If you know that the Qur’an is the source of heart’s tranquility and the cure for anxiety and sadness, then you must commit to it as you would any other medication. Make for yourself a daily portion of the Qur’an through listening or recitation, as it gradually heals the soul.

Do not allow negative thoughts to enter your mind and settle in your heart. Instead, repeat: “Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.” “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.” If you truly wish to begin the journey out of sorrow or anxiety, let your first step be to open the Qur’an, for there is no comfort outside of it: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.” (Al-Ma’idah: 15) And when the world feels tight upon you, ask yourself: What has the Qur’an taught me to do?

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·         Fu’ad Abu Shunnar, Therapeutic Interventions in Light of Psychological Theories

·         Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, ‘Uddat al-Sabirin wa Dhakhirat al-Shakirin

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