“All praise is to Allah. We praise him, we seek His help, His forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and of our actions. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide him. Whomsoever Allah leads astray, none can guide him.
I testify there is no God but Allah alone, without any partners, and that Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is His servant and messenger.”
Welcome to the Friday Khutbah! A weekly series on the AlMaghrib Journal, based on sermons delivered by our esteemed instructors! We hope you find it beneficial!
In our Deen, optimism goes far beyond just “positive thinking”. Islam provides us with practical guidance on maintaining a positive outlook that is both spiritually grounded and psychologically beneficial. Here are 5 principles of optimism that every Muslim should encompass.
Self-image Matters!
Psychologists today recognize what our faith has taught us since the beginning: there is a deep connection between how you present yourself and your internal sense of optimism and self-worth.
While we may not have complete control over our physical appearance, we absolutely have control over our style and how we carry ourselves. The Shari’ah emphasizes the importance of dressing well and maintaining good personal hygiene, but not out of vanity, rather, as a means of cultivating self-respect and dignity. The natural result of that is an overall positive outlook.
The Walk of the Believers
The Quran provides us with beautiful descriptions of how believers conduct themselves. In Surah Al-Furqan, one of the first characteristics mentioned about the righteous is their manner of walking. They neither walk with arrogance nor do they walk as if they were lifeless or defeated.
There’s a powerful story about Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) that illustrates this point perfectly. When he saw someone walking with his head down, shoulders hunched, and dragging his feet, Umar struck him with his staff and said: “لا تمت علينا ديننا يا هذا” – “Don’t make our religion appear dead!”
As the Arabic saying goes: “إِنَّ وَاثِقَ الْخُطَى يَمْشِي مَلِكًا وَلَوْ لَمْ يَكُن مُتَوَّجًا” – “When you walk with confidence and firm steps, you walk like a king, even if you’re not crowned.” This confident gait builds good self-esteem and projects positive energy to the world.
The Power of Personal Connection and Smiles
Our connections to other people; family, friends, the wider community etc. all play a vital role in building confidence and maintaining a positive outlook. There’s something powerful about a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and genuine human connection. These simple acts build confidence and lead to a more positive worldview.
Rasulullah ﷺ taught us the importance of smiling and maintaining a cheerful demeanor. A smile is not just a facial expression – it’s a tool that generates happiness within us, builds confidence, and creates positive energy that we can share with others.
We must be vigilant not to become those borderline grumpy individuals who drain the energy from every room they enter. Instead, we should cultivate and maintain our ability to smile genuinely, as it transforms not only our own internal state but also positively impacts everyone around us.
Optimism Is Not Denial of Reality
It’s crucial to understand that Islamic optimism is not about living in a fantasy world or ignoring life’s challenges. Many people might say, “You don’t understand my situation. My life is full of problems and difficulties. I have a sick child, I’m dealing with illness, I just lost my job, I’m in debt.”
The truth is, everyone has their own set of problems and challenges. However, Islamic optimism teaches us not to add another problem to our existing ones by dwelling in negativity. The key is to take things one step at a time.
Instead of constantly talking about your problems, start talking TO your problems. Begin dealing with them proactively. When you approach your challenges with a positive attitude, you’ll find yourself better equipped to overcome them.
The Balance of Realism and Hope
True Islamic optimism means acknowledging that diseases exist while also believing that cures exist. The Prophet ﷺ taught us:
“Allah has not created a disease without creating a cure for it, except for old age.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
This hadith encapsulates our approach to optimism: be grounded in faith, realistic about challenges, yet hopeful about solutions.
As we strive to embody these teachings of optimism and positive outlook, let us remember our brothers and sisters who are facing trials around the world. May Allah make us among those through whose hands He brings healing and happiness to hearts, families, and communities.
May Allah grant us success in this life and the next, and may He make the outcome of all the tragedies and calamities we witness in the world ultimately good for the believers.
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