Anxiety, Overthinking & The Importance of Tawakkul

Life is full of challenges and situations we cannot foresee. It has its ups and downs. Life offers us all sorts of challenges and calamities coming our way.

This is how the dunya (this world) is created; it is meant to happen. This is not paradise.

But that’s why we have started feeling anxious—because we know that life can be hard, because we realize how much pressure we can face when we don’t know what will happen, and because we have experienced all these problems before.

There is one thing we all start doing: overthinking. Overthinking is deeply connected with anxiety.

Let me explain.

What is Anxiety?

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as:

“Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.”

They also explain the difference between anxiety and fear:

“Anxiety is not the same as fear, but they are often used interchangeably. Anxiety is considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat, whereas fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific threat.”

I have already written a detailed newsletter on the topic of overthinking which you can read here: link.

When we think of anxiety, it automatically comes with overthinking, because your brain is trying to make sense of the chaos in your life.

You are trying to find a way out of a situation that seemingly has no end or solution in sight. So, you start to overthink the whole situation.

Here’s the harsh truth: you don’t know your rizq.

You don’t know what will happen tomorrow.
You don’t know who you will marry.
You don’t know what work you will do.
You don’t know if you will have children.

All of this is part of your rizq that was written for you in the womb of your mother, as we have learned from our beloved Prophet ﷺ in this hadith:

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"Verily, the creation of each one of you is brought together in the mother's womb for forty days in the form of a drop of fluid, then it becomes a clinging clot for a similar period, then a lump for a similar period. Then an angel is sent to him, who blows the soul into him and is commanded to write four things: his provision, his lifespan, his deeds, and whether he will be wretched or blessed."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 3208; Sahih Muslim, 2643)

The lesson of this hadith is simple: we cannot control everything, because we were not meant to.

In reality, the opposite is true: Allah has lifted this burden off your shoulders. He has given you ultimate peace by stating that He is in control.

Do you know why you still worry? Why you don’t trust Him?

It’s because you don’t know Him. You don’t know what His names mean. You don’t know why He created you. You don’t know why you are here.

We have all lost our purpose. We have lost our way so much that we pray to Allah, but we don’t worship Him. We fast, but we don’t abstain for Him. We give sadaqah, but we don’t cleanse our wealth with it.

We have lost touch with Him—and therefore our purpose. That’s why we are anxious, sinking in the swamp of overthinking, and, on top of that, depressed.

And this time, we chose not to know.

That’s a big difference.

But there is a solution to all of this. There is a way to break free from what we’ve put ourselves into and finally get back to Allah. And honestly, it’s so simple that it feels ridiculous we’ve searched for something more complicated.

It’s called Tawakkul.

What is Tawakkul?

It’s not complicated—the Prophet ﷺ already told us:

“Tie your camel and rely upon Allah.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2517; graded hasan)

You have an issue—whether it’s work, marriage, kids, school, studies, or Quran.

This hadith gives you the simplest way to actually practice Tawakkul:
Do your best, and to Allah leave the rest.

You study, write those applications, memorize, do whatever you can to better your situation. But if you’ve done your part, leave the rest to Allah.

You are not meant to know everything. You are not meant to think about every small detail of your life.

Let me tell you, as a social worker: you cannot save the world. The world belongs to Allah; we belong to Allah.

Our part is to learn how to be better Muslims and do our best.
That’s it. Really simple.

And also:

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, 4164; Musnad Ahmad, 205; graded sahih by Al-Albani)

Birds don’t know. They haven’t thought through every detail. But they do one thing: they go out and seek their provisions.

Let’s say you are trying to get married. Here’s how Tawakkul applies:

1. Work on yourself. Get to know Allah and your religion. Especially as a man, you carry a big responsibility in marriage; learn it. The future of the Ummah lies within your hands.

2. Make sincere dua. Let Allah be your closest companion and include Him in everything.

3. Do dhikr, especially istighfar and sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ.

4. Let family and friends know that you are looking for a spouse.

5. Seek wherever you can but keep it halal. There is a special barakah when you do things for Allah. He will test you on this.

And then? Tawakkul.

Give everything to Allah. Your mission is done—now Allah does His magic.

That’s all you need to know.

My dear sister and my dear brother: Allah has taken away the burden of knowing.
He has lifted the pressure of perfection, something you can never attain.

When even the Prophet ﷺ was sent as a Warner and not to carry all the burdens, why do you feel the need to have it all figured out?

Your Lord is there.

That is the ultimate mercy and gift from Allah: Islam.

Wallahi, Islam has removed so many burdens and fears from you. Why are we making this so difficult for ourselves? He has honored us through Islam.

The best examples are those who came before us: the Sahaba.

It was only when I truly learned who Allah is that I knew myself.
It was only when I truly learned why we are here that I realized my purpose.
It was only through submitting to Allah that I attained freedom.

It all starts within you.

Because you can.

That’s all for today. I sincerely hope this letter brought you value and inspiration.

I’m also thrilled to announce that my shop will be launching very soon, in shaa Allah, and you’ll be the first to know!

As part of this journey, I’ll be providing digital planers and resources to help you get closer to Allah—along with so much more. I’m so excited for what’s to come, in shaa Allah.

Stay tuned, and don’t forget to share this with someone who might benefit!

Until then, I leave you:

في أمان الله _{(In the protection of Allah)}

❦ Dunja ❦