Using Faith to Get Through COVID-19
The COVID-19 crisis is causing a lot of panic within many communities. Subhan Allah, I am hearing about people using sleeping pills, anti anxiety, and depression meds; these are medications they've never used before. People are having suicidal thoughts because they can't stand the idea of losing someone they love or because they're overwhelmed by the stay at home order.
If you find yourself in panic, losing sleep, and having too much anxiety about the Coronavirus, please get help. Find a therapist, find someone who is not family to talk to about your fears and worries. Contact me and I will help you find resources in whatever state you are in. Reach out to your medical doctors and ask them for resources. Don’t suffer alone. Do not self medicate. Get some professional help and talk your feelings out with a therapist. Let a professional determine if you do in fact need medication or not. Numerous research studies have been done that show therapy is more effective than medication.
5 Things to Remember About Your Deen (faith)
1. Remember as Muslims, by following the Qadar (preordainment) of Allah, you are following one of the pillars of iman.
2. We have our deen, our Quran, our Salah, our dua, and our iman. Do not let fear take over you. Read some Quran to calm your heart. Get up for qiyam in the middle of the night and put your head down in prostration. Let your daily salah be your connecting rope with Allah subhanah watalla. Always remember that as long as you truly believe in Allah's Qadar, then you will be able to handle anything.
3. Don't forget that this month is very sacred. I feel that COVID-19 has taken over our thoughts and made it more difficult for us to remember how important Sha'aban is. Spend some time fasting, giving sadaqah (charity) if you can, make extra salah, and get up in the middle of the night to pray qiyam (middle of night prayer).
4. Find comfort in reading and listening to the Quran. Don't just read the Quran on your phone or tablet, open the physical Quran. Flip through the pages, look at it, feel it, and run your fingers through the lines as you read.
5. Always remember this beautiful ayah:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. (Surat al Baqarah, verse 186)
Keep These Tips in Mind During The COVID-19 Crisis
Think about the things you CAN control and accept the things you CAN'T control.
If you have taken the necessary precautions and followed the guidelines of the CDC, there is not much else you can do.
Seek professional help. I can not say this enough. There is no better time than now to break through the mental health stigma. If you are struggling, reach out for help. Do not try to be strong for everyone around you because eventually, you will be so overwhelmed that you won’t be able to handle it anymore. Allow a professional to help you navigate this difficult time.
Please stop sharing every piece of information you know or receive. Showing people very triggering images or providing too much information can be very overwhelming. If someone hasn't asked for information, please don't give it to them. If you receive a video or audio where the person asks you to forward it to all your contacts, please do not do that.
Reach out to family and friends. There are many ways to stay connected without being physically present.
Finally, Smile. Not only is it sunnah to smile, but you will feel better and make those around you happy. My 8 year old son told me today that he loves when I smile because it makes him believe everything will be alright.
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَإِنَّ مِنَ المَعْرُوفِ أَنْ تَلْقَى أَخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ طَلْقٍ وَأَنْ تُفْرِغَ مِنْ دَلْوِكَ فِي إِنَاءِ أَخِيكَ ."
Jabir bin Abdullah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
"Every good is charity. Indeed among the good is to meet your brother with a smiling face, and to pour what is left in your bucket into the vessel of your brother." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi)
