Nafsiya Reflections: The Power of Positivity

We have been taught from a psychological point of view to have positive thoughts, Power of Positivity, being positive, etc. Positive behavior affects us mentally, emotionally, and even physically. The power of positivity increases serotonin levels which creates a happy feeling and decreases the level of cortisol, a stress hormone. Psychology explains the scientific aspect of this. Many studies have found that smiling more reduces heart rate and blood pressure during stressful situations and increases the positive hormones in the body.

As Muslims, the Sunnah of the beloved Prophet (saw) demonstrated various actions that manifest power of positivity in the practical daily life. These actions tied to the belief in seeking pleasure from Allah (swt) and submitting to His Qadaa wa Qadr brings a sense of ease and satisfaction to the believers. This allowed for Muslims to carry the burden of this life with a more positive attitude and outlook. These may be small gestures or quite submission.

One example of small gestures is our beloved Prophet (saw) teaching us that a smile is a form of charity, and led by example smiling and warming the hearts around him.

وعن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏لا تحقرن من المعروف شيئاً، ولو أن تلقى أخاك بوجه طلق‏"

Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not disdain a good deed, (no matter how small it may seem) even if it is your meeting with your (Muslim) brother with a cheerful face."

A simple act such as a smile that was taught to Muslims around 1400 years ago is a form of charity. Today, psychology has taught us that smiling releases three hormones that make us feel good: dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These hormones signal to the body that you’re happy and in turn you feel happier. There is often a purpose behind every action that Islam taught us.

Another example is the power to think more positively about situations in life rather than negatively as stated by the Prophet (saw):

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏عجبا لأمر المؤمن إن أمره كله له خير، وليس ذلك لأحد إلا للمؤمن ‏:‏ إن أصابته سراء شكر فكان خيراً له، وإن أصابته ضراء صبر فكان خيراً له‏"‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him".

Negative thoughts have been linked to depression, slows brain function, creates hopelessness, decreased overall function, damages the immune system, creates chronic stress on the body, and other unimaginable stresses on the body. One may ask what negative thoughts he/she may have. It may include thinking that one is a failure when situations do not turn out as they wanted, using the word hate, or constantly putting oneself down.

These negative thoughts deter one from having hope (Tawwakul) in Allah (swt). It is not believing that Allah (swt) is protecting you or testing you that you will understand later in life or even on the Day of Resurrection. As we can understand from Surah Al-Baqara Aya 216:

[وَعَسٰۤى اَنۡ تَكۡرَهُوۡا شَيۡـئًا وَّهُوَ خَيۡرٌ لَّـکُمۡ​ۚ وَعَسٰۤى اَنۡ تُحِبُّوۡا شَيۡـئًا وَّهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّـكُمۡؕ وَاللّٰهُ يَعۡلَمُ وَاَنۡـتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ]

“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”

This Aya shows us a reality that we can not see or grasp. Allah (swt) protects His slaves in ways the mind can’t grasp or make sense of. This Aya should reflect on the appreciation of what happens in life whether it’s the good or the bad. It steers an individual to think presently and not the past or the future. We need to think positively of ourselves, situations, and foremost of Allah (swt). He the Almighty, the Most Merciful, the One is our true Protector.

As there are many examples throughout the Sunnah, the common link connection is that how we view the events in our lives and the belief in what is written for us is from Allah (swt), allows us to have a sense of comfort despite the troubled face.

Positive thoughts bring out positive behavior making us achieve more beneficial knowledge, implementing more actions that are pleasing to Allah (swt), and improve our mental and emotional health. May Allah (swt) guide to become better individuals whose actions are pleasing to the Lord of Humanity!

Ummah Voice Podcast
SoundCloud Link: Click Here