Question:
Assalaamu alaikum,
Dear Shaykh,
I would like to know if there is a method for controlling my breathing and heartbeat. I notice that most of the time my breathing is out of control and I struggle then to make and concentrate on Zikr/Salaah. I think it might have to do with my tendency to worry a lot about dunya tasks, past and future issues and I can’t just focus on the present.
JazaakAllah Khayr.
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
For what reason are you trying to control your breathing and heartbeat? It sounds like you have anxiety because of worries about life and that is making you panic.
The Prophet Muhammad (s) is reported to have said:
Say often, “La hawla wa la quwata illa billah“”There is no strength nor power except God.” Surely it is a treasure from Heaven, and in it is a healing for every malady, the least of which is anxiety.
Another tradition relates that the Prophet (saws) said: Whoever says, ‘La ilaha illa Allah‘ it dispels from him ninety nine tribulations, the least of which is anxiety.
Worry develops from heedlessness. Anyone with this characteristic is heedless of the fact that God alone is the Provider (ar-Razzaq), and that He saves from every harm. Heedlessness of God, of the Prophet (saws), of Islam, of the Path and of the next world leads to excessive worry. People with this problem feel the burden of worry and do not know how to relieve it because they do not submit their lives and their hearts to God.
Allah says:
الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاء وَاللّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلاً وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
ash-shaytan ya`idukum al-faqr wa yamurukum bi’l-fahsha’i w ‘Allahu ya`dukum maghfiratan minhu wa fadlan w ‘Allahu wasi`un `alim.
The Evil one threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. God promises you His forgiveness and bounties. And Allah cares for all and He knows all things. (al-Baqara 2:268)
Kamau Ayyubi
reviewed and approved by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani
