#Islam
Five Ways To Deal With Disappointment
Published
By
GuestsBy Raghad Ebied
We are all inevitably going to face moments of disappointment in our life: disappointments from work, family, friends, society, and even ourselves. That’s the very nature of the world we live in; it’s not ideal, it’s not perfect, and shortcomings are bound to happen from others and from ourselves. The questions then arise: How do we deal with these disappointments? How do we reconcile our need to have fulfilling jobs and relationships as well as fulfill our own promises to ourselves, when we as well as others are humans who can be weak and forgetful? How do we forgive when we’re hurt? How do we “forget” when we need to move on? How do we overcome intense feelings of disappointment and sometimes disbelief about what happens around us?
Nobody said it was going to be easy. In fact we are told:
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
“Verily We have created the human being into toil and struggle” [Surah Al-Balad;4]
We hope, we dream, we strive, we build and yes indeed we can fail, fall, and feel hurt, betrayal, and just simply experience a lack of empathy and compassion from others. However, we can get back up, try again, hope again, dream again, strive again and build again. We can succeed again. We can be happy and fulfilled again, if we just follow these five steps:
1) Go Back To Allah
Seek comfort in the knowledge that Your Creator knows exactly what happened, how you feel, how it impacted you and indeed has the power to heal what is hurt, mend what is broken, and grant acceptance and serenity. Here are some points to think about:
Understand the attributes of Allah : Comprehending Allah’s names like Ar-Rahman (The All-Merciful), Ar-Raheem (The All-Compassionate), Al-Malik (The King), Al-Wadood (The Loving), Al-Hakeem (The All-Wise), Al-Aleem (The All-Knowing), Al-Kareem (The All Generous), and the many other descriptions of Allah will provide a source of comfort and strength that The Creator of the Heavens and the Earths is there to take care of our every single need.
“Seek help through patience and prayer,” as we are told in the Quran:
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive (to Allah)” [Surah Al-Baqarah;4]
Make dua’a: When it comes to dua’a, we are told in the Quran:
“If my servants ask you about me, then tell them I am near, and I answer the call of the one who calls on to me” [Al-Baqarah;186]
We all need something in life and strive to achieve some goals – we all need faith and guidance,. We all want love, shelter, sustenance, and caring, supportive family and community. We all want to be healthy and happy, and to have a great vision that we strive to actualize, among many other wishes and aspirations.
When we are met with disappointment over lost hopes and goals, we need to keep searching deep inside our hearts for our innermost desires and call unto Allah , knowing that no dua’a is too great for Him, and that the power of dua’a is truly beyond our imagination.
2) Adjust Your Expectations
We are told about the inherent imperfections of the world we live in over and over again in the Quran and we are a witness to it yet over and over again every time we experience some sort of disappointment.
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
“Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such (trial) has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until (even their) messenger and those who believed with him said “When is the help of Allah?” Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.” [Al-Baqarah;214]
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones) …” [Al-Baqarah;155]
So you can learn how to work through disappointment by expecting that you are bound to encounter situations that challenge you and could indeed cause worry, sadness, and pain. Know that as you experience more of these situations, you will grow stronger. Remember though, that growing stronger does not mean that the heart grows harder; rather it should mean that our hearts are actually softer and able to show more compassion for others. In fact, it can mean that the heart is so alive and so in touch with its feelings and those of others, that it can be such a source of strength in difficult times. Think of the difference you can make to others who have gone through difficult times when you can reach out and support them because you know exactly how they feel.Our belief in fate also gives us assurance that there is nothing that can happen to us without the will of Allah as per the Prophet’s hadith:
“O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask Allah [alone]; and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah [alone]. And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” [At- Tirmidhi]
3) (Re)Focus On What Really Matters In Life
If there is a moment, an encounter, or a situation that has happened and is upsetting you, yet it really has no greater impact on your priorities and values in life, try to not allow it to take up too much of your time and thought. Do what you can to deal with it in the way that is best aligned with the highest moral characters, and then move on. With time, this will get easier. At the end of the day, one can’t ‘fix’ everything. One can’t be everyone’s best friend. And one can’t please everyone. Basically if what you’re doing is pleasing to the Creator, then worry less about the creation.
4) Build ‘Resilience’
This is the ability to overcome difficult circumstances and ‘bounce back’ stronger than before. For some, resilience is built as you encounter more experiences and grow older. Resilience allows you to actualize one of the greatest keys to success, according to personal development experts, which is to believe that we are not the results of our circumstances. It allows us to come back and try again, even after great disappointment because we did not want to allow circumstances to dictate who we are or the quality of our life. Poverty, illness, sadness, wars, natural disasters, and a lack of safety, a lack of opportunity or social support and other unfortunate circumstances do not have to doom a person to misery.
To build more resilience, you can start each day with a strong affirmative statement such as “Insha’Allah I will overcome this disappointment/grief/hurt/ etc.” Remember what you are grateful for everyday including the blessings and strengths Allah has bestowed upon you, and express your thoughts in your dua’a to Allah and/or in a journal. Research has shown that people who keep gratitude journals are generally happier and healthier. It is of great help to create purpose and passion in your life that compels you to work through and overcome your trials and tribulations. And remember that our achievements in life are proportionate to our level of courage, which are in turn based on our beliefs about whether we can make our goals happen or not, and our ability to grow stronger through adversity by practicing resilience (yes, resilience is a skill that can be developed and practiced). So we must believe that we have immense courage inside of us,. We must believe that we can overcome adversity. We must believe that we can achieve success and contentment insha’Allah.
5) Learn How To Take Care Of Yourself
Many of us (especially if you’re a woman and a caregiver/mother) are constantly giving to others around you. However, remember that you cannot give from an empty cup or have the strength to overcome disappointments and struggles if you don’t take good care of yourself. Take care of your body by sleeping well, eating a healthy diet: one filled with protein, omega-3 rich foods, anti-oxidants, plenty of water, and by eliminating toxins like artificial sweeteners, and of course exercise, (which has been shown to be just as effective as anti-depressants and subhanAllah is a natural way to release endorphins [the “happy” hormones”]).
Learn how to say ’no’ when you need to. And explore what you need to re-charge. Even if you are an extrovert that likes being around people, you will find that you do need time for yourself to relax. Whether it’s time to read, write, draw, exercise, pray, watch or listen to an inspirational video/audio, find what works for you and brings you comfort. If you’ve been through a very difficult time, don’t be afraid to seek help; after Allah , ask a loved one or close and trusted friend, join an online support group, or don’t be hesitant to speak to a professional counselor.
Finally, believe that feelings of disappointment will pass and that experiencing your greatest weaknesses could have enabled you to develop your greatest strengths leading to your greatest triumphs insha’Allah.
This post was first published on the author’s website, and is cross-posted with permission.
Raghad Ebied is a transformational speaker, writer, researcher, and education and training consultant. She has over 10 years of experience in the fields of diversity, spirituality, leadership, well-being and overall personal development and positive transformation in schools, communities, nonprofit and government settings in Canada, the U.S., and the Middle East. She is also the founder and CEO of Ihsan Education (www.ihsanedu.com) and MuslimaSuccess.com
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
[Podcast] Muslims and Disability: A Way Forward | Sa’diyyah Nesar
Israel Kills Yahya Sinwar: Hamas’ Iron Man Exits The Stage
Why Mehdi Hasan’s “Lesser Of Two Evils” Election Advice Is Wrong
[Podcast] Hospitals And Healing: Islamic Chaplaincy | Ch. Sondos Kholaki
The Role Of Kurds In The Dissemination Of Islamic Knowledge In The Malay Archipelago
The Things He Would Say – [Part 5]: Pray For Dana
Imams Call To “Abandon Harris” As American Election Looms
The Role Of Kurds In The Dissemination Of Islamic Knowledge In The Malay Archipelago
Thoughts On Voting As Muslims In The Upcoming US Elections I Sh. Furhan Zubairi
Husn Al-Dhann: The Path To Islamic Optimism
IOK Ramadan: The Importance of Spiritual Purification | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep30]
IOK Ramadan: The Power of Prayer | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep29]
IOK Ramadan: The Weight of the Qur’an | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep28]
IOK Ramadan: Families of Faith | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep27]
IOK Ramadan: Humility in Front of the Messenger | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep26]
Trending
-
#Culture4 weeks ago
The Things He Would Say – [Part 5]: Pray For Dana
-
#Current Affairs1 month ago
University Chaplains’ Perspective On Campus Protests [Part V] – A Situation Of Haqq And Batil
-
#Current Affairs3 weeks ago
Imams Call To “Abandon Harris” As American Election Looms
-
#Current Affairs1 month ago
Missouri Executes Imam Khalifah Marcellus Williams Despite Likely Innocence
Md Nayeem
December 23, 2017 at 10:53 AM
This article is the prove that how much beautiful Islam is?? Muslims have no need any psychiatrist or counseling, Islamic code is the solution of every problems of human life. Thanks Brother, your writing was really appreciating….
Quran reading
January 2, 2018 at 12:13 PM
nice post
Dvjgf
August 30, 2021 at 6:14 PM
Great article, i should learn to lower my expectations of Allah, then i wont be disappointed.
Rubina Hussain
October 27, 2021 at 9:30 PM
Thank you for posting this article . I am deeply touched by the content.