How Do I Control Thoughts of Failure?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I wanted to ask what things I can practice to keep my reliance (tawakkul) strong on Allah Most High during a hardship. I’m constantly listening to Islamic lectures online as a reminder that Allah Most High hasn’t abandoned me, and that He has a better plan for me. But every day, I get these random bursts of thoughts that I will fail this test, and there’s no mercy for me. How do I control these unwanted thoughts that put me down? Jazak Allah.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question and for seeking guidance.
This life has been made for us a struggle. However, Allah has given us the means to work on ourselves and change by following His commands, applying the sunna of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace), and fulfilling our obligations towards His slaves with excellence, as best as we can, one cannot but change internally.
Allah Most High tells us in the Quran, “Indeed, We have created humankind in constant struggle.” [Quran, 90:4]
“In hardship and seeking livelihood.” `Ikrima said, “In hardship and long-suffering.” Qatada said, “In difficulty.” Hasan reports that he said, “Enduring the hardships of the worldly life and the severity of the Hereafter.”
[Ibn Kathir, Tafsir ibn Kathir]
Think Good of Allah – You in Good Hands Having Faith (Iman)
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that Allah said, ‘I am close to whatever My slave thinks I will do for him.’ [Bukhari and Muslim] Based on this hadith, we should always be optimistic about everything we experience in life and know that it is, without exception, always to our advantage.
‘How peculiar is the matter of the believer! Everything is always to his advantage! And that doesn’t apply to anyone save a believer. If he enjoys a benefit, he is grateful, and it is even better for him; if he suffers a difficulty, he is patient, and it is even better for him.’ [Muslim]
Wondrous is the Affair of the Believer
One of the greatest blessings of faith is that everything Allah decrees for the believer, whether in ease or hardship, will be good for him. If he experiences relief, he remains grateful and is rewarded. If he experiences hardship, he remains patient and is rewarded.
Suhaib (Allah be pleased with him) reported to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) and said, “Wondrous is the affair of the believer for there is good for him in every matter, and this is not the case with anyone except the believer. If he is happy, he thanks Allah, and thus there is good for him, and if he is harmed, he shows patience, and thus there is good for him.” [Muslim]
Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “I am amazed by the believer. Verily, Allah does not decree anything for the believer except what is good for him.” [Musnad Ahmad]
So as long you try your best, as mentioned above, have complete faith and love in Allah Most High for a better outcome. What He has in store for you is far greater than what you can try to achieve for yourself in this life or the Next.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related Answers
- How Can Someone Always Have Trust In Allah? – SeekersGuidance
- Purification of the Heart for Youth: Diseases of the Heart and Their Cure – YouTube
- The Path of Muhammad: Birgivi’s Manual of Taqwa Explained – YouTube
- Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms, and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart: Hamza Yusuf
- Istikhara, The Prayer of Seeking Guidance: The Ultimate Guide – A Reader – SeekersGuidance
- How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (salat al-haja)? – SeekersGuidance
- Prayer of Repentance: Salat al-Tawba – SeekersGuidance
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
