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I Feel Depressed Seeing People in Bad Situations

23 February, 2020
Q Assaamuailakum. I have a weird problem. Alhamdulillah, I have been very blessed in life, Allah has answered my prayers and I feel content. However, each time I read bad news happening to my brothers and sister (Yemen, Palestine etc...) I feel hopeless.

I feel guilty asking Allah for things, and feel like he won't answer my prayers as I am ungrateful asking for more while others have less than me. I would really appreciate any input as this is impacting my life. I feel aimless and depressed after seeing people in bad situations.

Answer


In this counseling answer:

Remember that being blessed with certain things is also as much a test as not being blessed.

The easiest and the best thing you can do is pray for them. Ask Allah to make things easier for them.

Donate money to the charities that support them.


Wa Alaikum salaam wa Rahmatullah wa barakatuh sister,

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Alhamdulillah that you live a comfortable and blessed life, but unfortunately as you talk about here, there are still many of our brothers and sisters who were not blessed in the same way and this can lead to feelings of deep sadness and helplessness towards them.

Remember that being blessed with certain things is also as much a test as not being blessed.

However, the test is different. The test lies in being grateful and using the things you have been blessed with wisely. To ask Allah for things is letting Him know that you know that He is the only one who can provide this for you. It shows your reliance on Him and your need for Him.

If He wants to give it to you, He will and He will see how you use that blessing, and if it is not for you then He won’t grant it to you, but you will not know unless you ask.

I Feel Depressed Seeing People in Bad Situations - About Islam

The feeling of helplessness comes from the fact that you can’t directly help those who are suffering or take it away from them, but there is so much you can do indirectly.

Firstly, the easiest and the best thing you can do is pray for them. Ask Allah to make things easier for them.

Also, remember that for all the suffering they are enduring the reward for them will be magnificent, more so than for those who have been blessed with a comfortable life in this world. R

emembering that alone can help provide some psychological comfort when we remember the turmoil that they face each day.

Aside from praying for them, there are practical things you can do also; donate money to the charities that support them.

Or if you are in the position, you could even enquire if there are opportunities to go out there and be with these people yourself. Or, you may volunteer for the organization or organize your own fundraisers.


Check out this counseling video:


So, as you can see, whilst our heart aches for those who are suffering there is so much that we can still do to help through prayer at the very least and the confidence and trust that Allah will answer these prayers and that they will be rewarded abundantly for their struggles.

In addition to this, there is much you can do to provide practical support too through donating or volunteering.

May Allah ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters. May He reward your concern and answer every prayer that we ask to help people in need.

Salam,

***

Disclaimer: The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information provided in the question. In no event shall AboutIslam, its counselors or employees be held liable for any damages that may arise from your decision in the use of our services.

Read more:

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10 Ways to Help the Poor and Needy

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About Hannah Morris
Hannah Morris is a mum of 4 and she currently works as Counsellor and Instructor of BSc. Psychology at the Islamic Online University (IOU). She obtained her MA degree in Psychology and has over 10 years of experience working in health and social care settings in the UK, USA, and Ireland. Check out her personal Facebook page, ActiveMindCare, that promotes psychological well-being in the Ummah. (www.facebook.com/activemindcare)