There are times when we feel torn and our soul feels empty as if everything we do is wrong.
We are a creature of many emotions and it is impossible to feel happy at all times. Sometimes we feel sad and miserable, while other times we feel content.
Although that is part of life, we are not alone as we will always have Allah SWT to listen to our sighs and cries for help.
Islam also provides a guideline as to what we can do when we are facing challenging times in life.
Islamic preacher Asma’ Harun shared a prayer that can be practiced when we feel overwhelmed with our worldly affairs on her Facebook posting recently.
She said the prayer said by Prophet Muhammad SAW in a Hadith; "O Allah, set right for me my religion which is the safeguard of my affairs. And set right for me the affairs of my world wherein is my living. And set right for me my Hereafter on which depends my after-life. And make the life for me (a source) of abundance for every good and make my death a source of comfort for me protecting me against every evil.” (Riwayat Muslim) From the prayer, Asma invites Muslims to seek for the hereafter because Allah SWT promised those who do so will be able to pursue both the world and the hereafter.
However, she said if we only seek worldly affairs on a daily basis, it is feared that we will not be able to grasp both.
"It is natural that we are often torn between limited time and capabilities.
"No matter how busy we become, just remember to be consistent in doing good deeds so our lives be at ease,” she said.
She also shared seven practices for ease our daily affairs:
1. Read the Quran Read at least one page a day each time after prayers.
From Abu Umamah Al-Bahili, the Prophet Muhammad SAW said: "Read the Quran. Indeed, he will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for His readers." (Narrated by Muslim) 2. Practicing istighfar There are many benefits of istighfar. Asma said our life is a mess due to our own sins, uncleansed souls and unblessed sources of sustenance. Always practice istighfar, in hopes that the sins are forgiven.
3. Selawat upon Prophet Muhammad SAW Selawat upon Prophet Muhammad SAW should be done multiple times a day as it is the most important dhikr and prayer. Asthma said when we ask Allah to bless Prophet Muhammad SAW, we will be rewarded with 10 times of mercy from Him. Surely, we will always get the help of Allah SWT.
4. Recite La Ilaha illallah This is the most significant dhikr as we will be protected from clear and hidden syirik. In fact, we will always be dependent on God so God will always be with us.
Most importantly, those who died while saying these words are guaranteed to enter the paradise of Allah SWT.
5. Early prayer time If we really want our prayers and wishes to be answered quickly by Allah SWT, then we, too, have to answer His call quickly.
6. Protect your aurat The result of worshiping and practicing dhikr will produce a soul that is obedient to Allah. Covering the aurat perfectly is also a sign of obedience and way of living in Islam. May we all die in the way of Islam and be resurrected with Islam.
7. Think well of God and pray Indeed, Allah SWT is what we think He is. If we always think well of Him, we will also receive good things from Him.
From Abu Hurairah RA, Rasulullah SAW said that Allah SWT said in a hadith Qudsi: "Indeed I am in accordance with the suspicion of My servant towards Me, if he thinks good then he will receive good, and if he thinks bad then he will receive bad things. ” (Narrated by Ahmad) Asma reminds her readers that we can only plan but Allah is the All-Knowing.
"Hopefully when we are consistent in practicing good deeds, many changes can be seen in our lives.
"The main challenge is to remain consistent, because it is the hardest thing to do especially when we have desires and can be easily influenced,” she said.