“The eyes shed tears, and the heart grieves, but we only say that which pleases our Lord.”
In modern times, anxiety is often spoken about only as a mental health disorder or a personal weakness. But in Islam, anxiety and grief are also understood as part of the human feelings and a test chosen by Allah for His servants.
Anxiety in Arabic is called ‘هَمّ’ (hamm), while grief or sorrow is called ‘حُزن’ (huzn). These emotions are not signs of weak faith or failure. They are natural human responses to hardship, loss, uncertainty, and emotional burden.
When we look into the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ, we find many moments where he experienced grief, worry, sadness, and emotional pain.
One of the clearest examples is the Year of Sorrow (‘Ām al-Ḥuzn), when the Prophet ﷺ lost his beloved wife Khadijah (RA) and his uncle Abu Talib. Khadijah (RA) was his closest companion and source of comfort, while Abu Talib had protected him for years. Their loss brought immense grief to his heart.
The Prophet ﷺ also experienced distress during the delay in revelation (Fatrat al-Wahy). When revelation stopped for a period of time, he became deeply saddened and worried that Allah might be displeased with him. Allah then comforted him through the revelation of Surah Ad-Duha.
Another painful moment was the incident of Ta’if, where the Prophet ﷺ was rejected, mocked, and physically harmed by the people he came to guide. He later described it as one of the most difficult days of his life.
The Prophet ﷺ also carried constant concern for his Ummah. He would stand in prayer weeping for his people, worried about their guidance and their fate in the Hereafter.
Even during the death of his infant son Ibrahim, the Prophet ﷺ openly expressed grief. He cried and said this while weeping at the funeral of his son:
“Verily, the eyes shed tears, and the heart grieves, but we will not say except what pleases our Lord, O Ibrahim! Indeed, we are grieved by your separation.”
These examples remind us that sorrow, anxiety, and emotional pain are not signs of weakness. The most beloved creation to Allah experienced them too.
We all go through moments where life becomes emotionally heavy. Sometimes the heart carries worries for so long that it begins to overflow. Anxiety can feel like that overflowing glass – a sign that something within us needs attention, healing, reflection, or surrender. Sometimes it is also a reminder, a call back to Allah, reminding us how deeply we need His remembrance, mercy, and closeness.
As Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
— Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:28)
For a long time, I personally viewed anxiety as a flaw within myself. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I tried everything to distract myself – grounding exercises, hobbies, keeping busy – while avoiding the deeper reason behind what I was feeling. I started believing that anxiety made me weak. But eventually, I turned to Allah sincerely and asked Him for healing and clarity. Then Allah showed me something I had failed to notice before, Alhamdulillah.
Over the course of a few days, different people unexpectedly opened up to me about their own struggles with anxiety and emotional distress. They shared their fears, burdens, and worries and asked for advice. It made me pause and reflect more deeply.
As I began reading and learning about anxiety, I noticed how often modern discussions treat it purely as a defect or weakness in a person. But when I returned to the Seerah and the words of the Prophet ﷺ, I found something very different. I found that anxiety, grief, and emotional hardship are deeply human experiences – and that for the believer, they can also become a means of purification and closeness to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“No Muslim is afflicted by difficulty, continuous pain, anxiety, grief, injury, or care, or even by a thorn with which he is pierced, without God thereby making an atonement for his sins.” — Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim
This hadith reminds us that even emotional pain does not go unnoticed by Allah. Even anxiety can become a means of expiation for our sins. Nothing is wasted. Every hardship endured with patience and trust in Allah carries meaning, reward, and nearness to Allah.
In another narration from Anas ibn Malik (RA), during the final illness of the Prophet ﷺ, Fatimah (RA) said:
“Alas for the anxiety, father!”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Your father will have no anxiety after today.”
What a beautiful reminder this is. In this world, human beings experience sorrow, fear, heartbreak, and worry. But in the Hereafter, for the righteous servants of Allah, there will be no more grief, no more pain, and no more anxiety, inshallah.
This does not mean we should simply surrender to suffering without seeking help. Islam teaches us to rely upon Allah while also taking the means available to us. Seeking support, speaking to trusted people, improving our habits, making du’a, or even seeking professional help when needed are not signs of weak faith. They are part of using the means Allah has provided. True reliance upon Allah is not passive. It is trusting Him while striving for healing and ease. Whenever the Prophet ﷺ felt overwhelmed, he turned to Allah in du’a.
Anas (RA) reported that whenever something distressed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he would say:
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ
“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, in Your mercy I seek relief.”
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ would say:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief…”
The lesson behind these du’as is powerful: human beings are never truly self-sufficient. No matter how strong we think we are, we remain dependent upon Allah for relief, healing, peace, and guidance.
The cure comes from Him.
The ease comes from Him.
The healing comes from Him.
People may become a means, but Allah alone is Ash-Shafi – the One who truly heals.
At the same time, this test should also teach us how to treat others who are struggling. If someone comes to us carrying emotional pain or anxiety, we should never belittle them, shame them, or turn away from them because of a burden they did not choose for themselves. Even if we cannot completely remove someone’s pain, we should at least avoid adding to it.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim: he does not wrong him or abandon him… If anyone relieves a Muslim of one of the anxieties of this world, Allah will relieve him of one of the anxieties of the Day of Resurrection.” – Sunan Abi Dawud
Perhaps one of the greatest lessons hidden within hardship is that it softens the heart and teaches compassion.
Thus, every test has the potential to bring a believer closer to Allah. Anxiety, grief, heartbreak, and hardship are painful, but when faced with patience, sincerity, repentance, and trust in Allah, they can become a means of purification and spiritual growth. For the believer, even pain is never meaningless.
We ask Allah to grant us ease, heal our hearts, remove our anxiety and grief, strengthen our faith during hardship, and make every trial a means of drawing closer to Him.
Ameen.
Islam is perfect, and any mistakes are solely mine. I take responsibility for my mistakes and seek your pardon for any errors I may have made. And Allah Knows Best!
