How to be Positive in Difficult Times

Experiencing challenges and problems are part of life. There is nobody alive who has been spared hardship. However, some people seem to cope with bad situations better than others. Their overall happiness does not seem as compromised when unfavourable things happen.

Hardships and calamities are experienced by everyone and it can sometimes be very hard to respond to these calamities when they strike. It may be common for many to lose hope. Reconnecting with the Deen can help in many ways to instil positivity and hope. Take this adversity as an opportunity to get closer to Allah. Allah even says in the Holy Quraan,

وَقَطَّعْنَٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أُمَمًا ۖ مِّنْهُمُ ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ وَمِنْهُمْ دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَبَلَوْنَٰهُم بِٱلْحَسَنَٰتِ وَٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

And We dispersed them as [separate] communities all over the earth; some of them were righteous, and some of them less than that: We tried them with blessings as well as with afflictions, so that they might turn back (to us). [7:168].

Whatever state and level our faith is in, use this time to improve and turn towards Allah, the only one who can turn things around for the better. This is the number one thing to attain peace of mind as Allah also states,

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ

“Verily in the remembrance of Allah, hearts find rest” [13: 28].

Even in times of struggle, it is important to stop and take an opportunity to express gratitude for the positive things happening in your world today. Practice gratitude. Remind yourself of all the blessings you have and talk about these things with the ones who are closest to you. Acknowledging the positive things in your life will actually make you calmer, even when bad things happen.

Expressing gratitude isn’t about ignoring your current problems. Rather it is about accepting life’s trials and becoming more humble, knowing that it is not us who created our successes and accomplishments, rather it is Allah who brings both hardship and happiness.

In Islam, times of hardship and tribulations are seen as a test from Allah and can be a means of gaining reward. As stated in the hadith, which is narrated by Anas (may Allah have mercy upon him), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,

وعن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال

   إِنَّ عِظَمَ الجَزَاءِ مَعَ عِظَمِ البَلاَءِ ، وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَحَبَّ قَوْمًا ابْتَلاَهُمْ ، فَمَنْ رَضِيَ فَلَهُ الرِّضَا ، وَمَنْ سَخِطَ فَلَهُ السَّخَطُ

“Great reward comes with great trials. When Allah loves a people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it attains His pleasure, whereas whoever shows discontent with it incurs His wrath.” [Tirmidhi]

In this hadith, we learn that those who practice patience in times of difficulties will gain reward for their endurance while those who show ingratitude and displeasure with Allah’s decree end up in a situation where not only will they have to go through their current hardship but will also suffer the consequences of being discontent with Allah’s decree.

Knowing there are rewards to benefit from in the end should be a motivation to be positive during turbulent times.

And when things do finally get better, one must remember to thank Allah and never forget Him, for He is the grantor of all happiness and all success.