As Salaam Aleykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatouh.

I had been feeling a bit defeated about not having woken up as early as I wanted to this morning for Tahajjud.

I realized that one of the reasons why I hit ‘snooze’ so many times was that, instead of being grateful that Allah ﷻ had blessed me with another day, I had been feeling anxious about not keeping up with my Tahajjud prayers.

I had let anxiety and “what ifs” become so significant that it resulted in paralysis instead of action. In a way, I had allowed uncertainty to materialize into the very outcome I feared.

Anxiety, in the right amount, has considerable benefits. If you’ve ever worked with me as your Muslim counsellor, you know that we need a whole post about this. 

At the same time, it is important to find a balance between the anxiety of not doing enough, and the hope that we will, In Sha Allah.

A way of feeling hopeful is by examining how far we’ve already come.

If I am currently your psychologist or you are a former Muslim client, you know that I like data and that I consistently ask for feedback from my clients about how their well-being is progressing throughout the course of Islamic therapy.

I value this because data is tangible; it helps us see progress that we might otherwise overlook. This evidence can be a powerful way to look to the future with hope when anxiety or fear about the future creeps in. 

Maybe you are currently working with me or another professional to support your wellness, or perhaps this is a journey you are navigating on your own. Either way, I invite you to reflect on one small question:

What is one thing, even if it is tiny, that is different since you began this work?

If you have been reading these blog posts and finding yourself relating to them, you may already recognize the powerful relationship between our psychological well-being and our connection to Allah ﷻ. So consider this as well:

What is a small habit that you’ve started putting in place that helps you grow closer to Allah ﷻ?

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464).

If what I have said is correct, it is from Allah; and if it is wrong, then it is from myself and Shayṭān.

As Salaam Aleykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatouh.

Audrey Kodye, Registered Psychologist and Islamic therapist at Overcome Anxiety Psychological