Distressed and does not know why
Fatwa No: 90626

Question

I have a problem. I have a lot of anxieties. I get also panic attacks, then my heart goes faster and I breathe faster without any reason. At that point I also feel fear, but I don't know for what. It comes even when I am just sitting doing nothing. I really don't understand it. I hope you can help me or have tips for me that can help me stop it.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

First of all, you should know that this worldly life is a test for us; Allaah tests whomever He wants with whichever affliction He wants, so we advise you to be patient. The Prophet said: "When Allaah loves a people, He afflicts them.  So, he who is content (with Allaah’s Decree) gets the reward of being content, while he who is dissatisfied (with Allaah’s Decree) will attain the anger (of Allaah)." [At-Tirmithi]

However, this does not mean that you should submit yourself to what you are experiencing; rather you should find out the cause of your distress, because the reason might be a physical or psychological disease, so you should consult specialist doctors. The reason could also be an evil eye, magic or being possessed by Jinn. The treatment for this is to perform Ruqyah by reading some Quranic verses, Prophetic supplications and other legislated mention of Allaah. The reason for your stress could also be due to other reasons, like sins and so forth.

In any case, we advise you to supplicate Allaah as much as possible especially with the Prophetic supplication: "Allaahumma rahmataka arjoo falaa takilnee ila nafsee tarfata 'ayyn, wa aslih lee sha'nee kullahu, laa ilaaha illaa ant." ‘O Allaah, it is Your Mercy that I hope for, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for a blink of an eye and rectify for me all of my affairs. None has the right to be worshipped except You.’ Besides, you should mention Allaah and recite the Quran as much as possible. Allaah Says (which means): {Verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest.}[Quran 13:28]. Among the beneficial treatments as well, is performing the prayers at their prescribed fixed times with submissiveness. The Prophet  said: "The prayer is the comfort of my eyes." [An-Nasaa'ee]

Finally, you should spend your time in what benefits you in your religion and in worldly matters. Furthermore, you should keep company with righteous people and attend circles of knowledge and we ask Allaah to cure you from all diseases.  

Allaah Knows best.

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