DO
NOT BE CRUSHED BY WHAT IS INSIGNIFICANT
taken from 'laa tahzan' by Sh Aa'idh al-Qarni
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Many are those that are distressed not by pressing matters
of great import, but by minor trifles. Observe the Hypocrites
and see how weak they are in their resolution. The Qur'an
relates to us some of their sayings:
"Those
who stayed away from the Tabuk expedition rejoiced in their
staying behind the Messenger of Allah; they hated to strive
and fight with their properties and their lives in the Cause
of Allah, and they said: 'March not forth in the heat '.
(Qur'aan 9: 81)
"And
a band of them asked for permission of the Prophet [Muhammad,
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] saying: 'Truly, our homes lie
open [to the enemy]'. And they lay not open. They but wished
to flee" "We fear lest some misfortune of a disaster
may befall us') (Qur'an 5: 52)
How
wretched are the souls of such people! Their principal concerns
are for their stomachs, cars, houses, and castles. They
never once raise their eyes to a life of ideals and virtues;
the extent of their knowledge is their cars, clothes, shoes,
and food.
Some
people are distressed day and night, because of a disagreement
with their spouse, son, or relative, or because they have
had to forbear criticism, or because of some other trivial
event. Such are the calamities of these people. They have
no aspiration to higher principles or goals to keep them
busy, and they have no noble ambition in their lives to
an end for which they can strive day and night. It has been
said, 'When water leaves a container, it is then filled
with air'. Therefore reflect on that which gives you cause
for concern or anxiety, and ask yourself this: does it merit
your energies and toils? This is an indispensable question,
because whatever it is that causes your anxiety, you are,
with mind, flesh, and blood, giving it energy and time.
And if it does not merit your energy and time, you will
have squandered a great deal of your most precious resources.
Psychologists
say that you should judge everything in proportion to its
true value and then put it in its proper place. More truthful
than this is the saying of Allah: (indeed Allah has set
a measure for all things.) (Qur bn 65: 3)
So
give to each situation according to its size, weight, measure,
and importance. And stay away from immoderation or from
exceeding the proper bounds. Take from the example of the
Prophet's Companions, whose sole concern was to give their
pledge of allegiance under the tree and thus obtain the
pleasure of Allah. With them was a man whose concern was
focused on a missing camel, a preoccupation that caused
him to miss the pledge of allegiance - and consequently,
he was deprived of the rewards that were reaped by the others.
Therefore do not be preoccupied with matters that are insignificant.
If you follow this advice, you will find that most of your
worries will have left you.