by Syarif Hidayat*

Combating Negative Thinking

     The excellent Productive Muslim.com site has an article on combating negative thinking. Here are the quotes from the article:

“To be a productive, dynamic muslim,it is extremely important that we inculcate a mindset of positivity. A mindset of positivity leads to proactivity and eventually leads to creating a productive life. If the mindset of positivity is missing, and we are negative and self loathing, and have no hope, do you ever think we would have the enthusiasm to do things and be productive?

One of the greatest secrets to being a productive person is letting go your negative self-talk and switching to positivity. Behind that door of negativity, there is a brighter, happier, productive life waiting for you.”

It is not true that we will absolutely experience goodness and favor every time we have good thoughts and we will absolutely experience badness every time we have bad thoughts. That issue is a reality confirmed by life.
   
However, thinking about bad events that may happen to us in the future now is extremely wrong, because getting anxious by thinking about a bad thing that we do not definitely know whether it will happen to us or not is also wrong in point of reason and wisdom. Moreover, the future does not exist at this moment; therefore, there is no evil that may happen in the future (now).

Thinking about a non-existing trouble in a non-existing time implies giving the two non-existent things the color of existing and falling into distress that should not happen. Whether that distress happens in the future or not, feeling pain and misery through thinking as if it has already happened is not a reasonable attitude.
 
However, contrarily, there is no harm in thinking now about a favorable thing that may happen in the future; besides, it serves as a synergy that gives peace to life. Even if it does not happen in the future, it has not much side effects as long as there is not an extreme optimism that causes a serious disappointment.

As Islam wants us to think positively, it aims to keep us away from experiencing troublesome situations, living in a hopeless course, and imaginations and thoughts that make us live a dog’s life and demoralize us. The matter has another dimension that is more important; to sum up: 
A person who always thinks about bad things in his mind and imagines that bad things will happen to him thinks unjustly and unfavorably about Allah. A person, who has good thoughts, thinks favorably about Allah, because everything comes into existence through the creation of Allah. It is important in point of the criterion of justice that Allah gives the bad things a person fancies as a punishment to the person who thinks unfavorably about Allah and bestows goodness as a reward for his good thoughts to the person who thinks favorably about Allah.

In a Divine Hadith, the expression “I am (Allah) according to how my servant thinks of Me” (Bukhari, Tawhid, 15; Muslim, Tawba, 1 takes place). In other words, I treat to my servant in the way how he thinks of me, what he hopes from me and how he sets his hopes on me. So, those who come with a great hope to the door of mercy of the Almighty Creator –generally- do not return empty-handed.

According to some scholars, that hadith points that servants must have good thoughts of Allah especially in the following subjects:
When a servant prays, he believes that Allah will accept his prayer. He believes that Allah will accept his repentance and forgive him when he repents sincerely. He believes that the worship he performs sincerely will be accepted by Allah. As those positive thoughts are goods opinions of Allah, thinking opposite is having bad opinions of Allah, and it means to be hopelessness and it is a big sin. (See Ibn Hajar, the explanation of the hadith mentioned above)

Positive thinking has a great effect on our lives. Positive thinking has positive effects not only on the person himself but also on the others.
Having good thoughts is concerned with seeing the good in things. For, a person who sees the good in things has good thoughts. And he who has good thoughts receives pleasure from life.
Good thoughts reveal the clarity and the purity of one’s spiritual world; bad thoughts reveal the dullness of the spiritual world and can be the cause of not having a clear and concrete personality for the person.

Positive thinking in Islam

Anees Aziz in an article titled: “Positive thinking in Islam” published in www.deccanherald.com, writes Islam lays a lot of importance on positive thinking and encourages hope and optimism. And on the contrary forbids despair no matter how bleak the circumstances may be. In fact despair is likened to disbelief in God.

The Arabic term for positive thinking ‘Husnul Zann’ apart from conveying the meaning of positive thinking also conveys the meaning of optimism and of holding good opinion and thinking well about others.

When it comes to thinking well, in Islam it has to begin with thinking well about God himself. There is famous saying of Prophet Mohammad in which he says that God says; “I treat my servant in accordance with his opinion of me.”

A person who always thinks about bad things in his mind and imagines that bad things will happen to him thinks unjustly and unfavourably about God and ends us getting bad things. A person, who has good thoughts, thinks favourably about God, because everything comes into existence through the creation of God, is bestowed with goodness.

Once we have a good opinion about God then it necessary that we must cultivate good opinion about our fellow men and not despise them for some fault that one may see in them.

We must realise that none of us is entirely good or entirely bad so it is not for us to focus on the bad side and be cynical about it rather it is for us to look at the good in others and have good opinion about them and always expect good and positive things from them.

We must go a step further and when ever we meet some one who is in trouble or sick or dejected we should help him by making him see the brighter side of things and fill him with hope and optimism which will help him greatly to rise above his problems.

When we start doing this and make it as a regular practice in our lives we cease to live in a state of hopelessness and false imaginations and thoughts that make our lives miserable and demoralize us.

Instead we live in a const­ant state of optimism which not only transforms our lives but also touches everyone wh­om we come in contact with.

 

 Allah SWT says in Al Qur’an:

 

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Allah the Most High said, ‘I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it. If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’”

 

 “The miracle of positive thinking”

     Sister Shahnaaz Bemath in her article titled: “The miracle of positive thinking” writes  Thinking positive can work miracles. You may have been told to “guard your thoughts”, but felt the advice to be pointless. After all, your thoughts are private. How can they possibly affect someone else? The fact is, thoughts do seem to boomerang in some mysterious ways. Science has not found a way to measure them as they have invisible sound waves. In order to understand how positive thinking works, and how to use it efficiently, it is important to understand the power of negative thinking.

        “Negative thoughts and tensions are like birds. We cannot stop them from flying near us but, we can certainly stop them from making a nest in our mind.”

         The mind can be directed towards positive thinking or negative thinking. The power of thought is a neutral power. The way one thinks determines whether the results are positive and beneficial or negative and harmful. It is the same of energy acting in different ways. Persistent inner work can change habits of thoughts. You must be willing to put energy and time to avoid negative thinking and pursue positive thinking, in order to change your mental attitude. Think of those things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, in other words, to fill your mind with noble, good thoughts, leaving no room for negative ones to take root.

        The Noble Messenger of ALLAH (peace be upon him) has reported that ALLAH, The Most Wise, said: “I treat my servant as how he thinks of Me” (Hadith- Bukhari/ Muslim). In other words, ALLAH TA’ALA treats His servant in the way how he thinks of ALLAH, what he hopes from and how he sets his hopes on ALLAH. So, those who come positive and with a great hope to the door of Mercy of the Almighty Creator will Insha Allah not return empty-handed.

       The most powerful weapon you have at your disposal is Du’a (prayer). Use it and use it often. The basis of prayer is to lift us and situations to Almighty ALLAH an inner act of visualisation. A further step is to contemplate on our beautiful teachings of Islam this involves controlling and directing out thoughts. A simple way to think of this is to imagine your mind to be like a garden. That garden can be spoilt and overrun by negative, destructive thoughts (weeds), or it can become a place of peace and harmony by the cultivation of flowers (uplifting thoughts).

      “Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers. Or you can grow weeds.”

        Are you prone to depression? Do you see your life as a hopeless mess… consider yourself a failure? If you do, then you will close your mind, see no opportunities, and behave and react in such ways, as to repel people and opportunities. You let the power of negative thinking rule your life. Try replacing such negative thoughts with positive ones. Talk to your beloved ALLAH, ALLAH does not create a lock without a key, and ALLAH doesn’t give you problems without its solutions. Trust HIM! While recognising these problems, picture yourself as mastering each one. Visualise yourself handling each situation creatively; being a success; gradually allowing your given potential to blossom.

        The beloved Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) advised us if you look forward to good things, it will happen In’Shaa’ALLAH. Thinking positive is a very important element of Islam. Always think that ALLAH has a plan for you, if something goes wrong, it will probably lead you to something good. HE is working things out for you, even if you don’t feel it. Have faith and be thankful. Where faith and hope grows, miracles blossoms, ALLAHU AKBAR!

       At first, this kind of thought control may seem like an inner game but you’ll be surprised at how, slowly but surely, your outer circumstances begin to change. For thought precedes action, and the right thoughts precede a chain of good actions. Destructive thoughts, on the other hand, act as poisoning agents. They embitter and limit the thinker, preventing him or her from developing good relationships, because others sense the wrong thoughts telepathically, and shy away instinctively.

       Conversely, if you greet people with the thought that they’ll probably be nice to know, such a positive thought will affect their response. If you’re afraid of someone, replace that fear with a thought which recognises that the person’s given potential “core” is probably hidden under layers of unhappiness and wrong thinking. Silently bless that person, and ask that his or her true self be given a chance to manifest.

       A friend was once terribly upset because someone was spreading false rumours about her. She could not deny the rumour publicly. All she could do was pray for the woman, try to think about her charitably and visualise her acting differently. She did this consistently for some weeks. One day, unexpectedly, the woman phoned her to apologise and say she’d been mistaken, Subhaan-ALLAH! It seemed like a miracle! But right thinking can work miracles. Life has many different chapters for us. One bad chapter doesn’t mean the end of the book. Be positive and keep your faith in ALLAH.

       Once we function in harmony with ALLAH’S beautiful laws of love and forgiveness and this includes spreading good, true and beautiful thoughts our lives will flower as they were meant to.
“Think positive, Think different. Don’t waste your precious energy on negative thoughts.”
Decide that from today, from this very moment, you are leaving negative thinking behind, and starting on the way towards positive thinking and behaviour. It is never too late. Soon your life will turn into a fascinating, wonderful journey.

       Wake up every morning with the thought that something beautiful is about to happen. Let’s welcome each day with a smile and bid farewell with a smile. We thank ALLAH for HIS blessings. Take advantage of our positive energy and employ them in doing well in this life. Let’s learn, read and after that, we will find the entire universe will extend to us it’s heart and the whole world will hug us with its beauty… Subhaan-ALLAH!
There is something beautiful in life. You just have to find it….be positive and it will find you!
(T/E1/ P04)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

*Editor of MINA

Sources:
1. Questions on Islam: http://www.questionsonislam.com
2. www.eislam.co.za
3.  MuslimVillage.com.
4.http://www.deccanherald.com/ 
5.http://www.positivemuslimah.com/