How to Deal with Crisis like a Believer: Pro Strategies for Muslim Youth

Breaking news. Latest headlines. Extra breaking news.

When you experience how much negative news is aired these days, it seems the entire world is in a crisis mode. Our Ummah is not left out. In the wake of recent happenings, the lenses keep drawing in closely on actions of individual Muslims and Muslim lands – from the Middle East to Africa; Europe to Asia. There is so much negativity and provocation coming from written and spoken words as well as images, videos and audios.

Undoubtedly, at such times of tribulation and crisis, there is a lot of propaganda and negative energy. Stories and information fly about like hay in summer time. This wild spreading of information is further boosted by our fancy gadgets and technology tools, which make it easy for just about anyone to become a self acclaimed scholar, journalist or expert – with just a touch, tap or swipe.

For the youth, it is easy to get pumped up and excited either from external influences, inner zeal or just from having much free time to squander. The question is, what good comes out of it? Just more worries, babbling, speculations and heightened tension.

Yes, these situations are real as indeed we are living in turbulent times. But, the reaction of a believer should be taken from the teachings of the Qur’an and sunnah. Learn pro strategies that will help you deal with crises situations; so you can respond with peace, patience and positivity.

Ready?

Run to Allah

Turn to Allah  completely by returning to the pure teachings and guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah. This world and the crises within is fleeting and your goal as a believer should be the hereafter, which is everlasting and more rewarding.

Whatever your emotions, behaviors and thoughts arising from a situation, it should directed towards Allah’s pleasure. Your response should be from a sincere heart and with total commitment to His Pleasure; not for showing off or done simply to belong.

“This world and all that is in it is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah, that which He loves, a scholar or a student of knowledge.” ¹

In turning to Allah , you need to be conscious of Him in all that you do. Read the Qur’an, engage in much remembrance and make sincere supplications calling for His guidance. This intentional awareness will lead to inner peace, ease in your affairs and relief from undue distress.

”And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him of his matter ease.” (At-Talaq, 65:4)

It is inevitable that a crisis situation will cause distress, pain and discomfort but never lose hope of Allah’s Mercy and Compassion. Remember He is The All-Seeing, All-Hearing and All-Knowing.

Run to Him again and again and again.

Slow down your thoughts and reflect.

The Prophet said:

“Deliberation is from Allah and haste is from the shaytaan.” ²

When you have the choice to react violently or calmly to a situation, choose instead to quieten your thoughts – and reflect.

Take time to ponder, is it worth it? Or is there a better way to handle it?

Beware of shaytaan’s whispers because he will cause you to slip. Beware of your own lowly desires, because they can lead you to ruin with cheap victories such as those gained from arguments and fights.

Remember the advice of Luqman (the wise) to his son, ”And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.” (Luqman, 31:19)

He also advised his son to ”…enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong…” (Luqman, 31:17), but this must be done with deliberation and wisdom.

Be emotionally intelligent.

React for the sake of Allah alone, with wisdom and good manners. Learn to forgive and pardon, make excuses for others, repress anger and show mercy.

”And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good.” (Ali I’mran 3:133-134)

The Prophet said,

“Those who have mercy will receive the mercy of the Most Merciful. Have mercy on those who are on earth, the One in the Heavens will have mercy on you.” ³

The Prophet also said,

“The strong person is not he who is able to physically dominate people. The strong person is he who overcomes his rage when he is angry.” ⁴

Avoid the outbursts and drama that come from over reacting. Instead, direct your energy and emotions towards worthy behavior and correct dawah.

Verify the truth and beware of rumors.

The ill effects of rumors can be seen from the time of the sahabas. A classic example is found in the lie fabricated against `A’isha regarding her committing zina. With the advent of social media, it is very amazing yet disturbing how false information is put together in an instant and then goes viral in a short while around the globe. Be wary of aiding such viral network.

Make every effort to find out the truth behind a story and establish whether it can be proven or not. Avoid gossips and spreading any type of news without verifying it. Do not simply press send, like or share. If you can’t verify the authenticity or corruption of a source, steer clear of taking part in further spreading of that information.

Seek the truth with proofs, by verification as stated in the Qur’an.

”O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.” (Al-Hujurat, 49:6)

In a prophetic narration, we learn: “It is enough lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears.” ⁵

This world is transient. Invest your time in worthy deeds not worthless rumors. Crisis will come and go but your response – emotions, behavior and actions – is what matters. Be a change agent, who uses crises situations to model and advertise for Islam. Be an example and live according to the pure teachings of the Qur’an and sunnah when you deal with crisis.

Remember and follow these 4 strategies and you will become a pro in handling crisis in our Ummah insha’Allah.

Which of these strategies have you used to deal with crisis? And which other ones can you think of? Please share them in the comments section below.