Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on wellbeing, trust in Allah & caring for others

“We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.” (Quran 21:107, Pickthall)

If his whole mission was mercy, then mercy is also the spirit in which you can treat your own struggles. You do not need to be harsh with yourself to be a good Muslim.

“There hath come unto you a messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full of concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful.” (Quran 9:128, Pickthall)

Many people feel they must hide how overwhelmed they are. This verse describes a Prophet ﷺ who felt the weight of people’s burdens. Being overburdened is something he understood and cared about.

“Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much.” (Quran 33:21, Pickthall)

Following his example is not only about acts of worship. It includes how he rested, laughed, served his family, comforted the sad and asked for help.

“And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature.” (Quran 68:4, Pickthall)

He used to say: “The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3559)

Good character includes how you speak to yourself. Gentle, honest self-talk is part of good manners too.

A man asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Shall I tie it and rely(upon Allah), or leave it loose and rely(upon Allah)?” He said: “Tie it and rely(upon Allah).” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2517, graded hasan)

For your mental health, “tying the camel” might mean booking an appointment, getting enough sleep, telling someone you trust, or practicing a coping skill. Then you hand the outcome to Allah.

“If you were to rely upon Allah with the required reliance, then He would provide for you just as a bird is provided for, it goes out in the morning empty, and returns full.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2344, graded hasan)

Notice that the bird still leaves the nest. It does its part each morning without carrying tomorrow’s worries. This can be a gentle picture to hold when anxiety races ahead.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that “Allah is Sufficient for us and He Is the Best Disposer of affairs” was said by Abraham when he was thrown into the fire, and by Muhammad ﷺ when people tried to frighten the believers. (Sahih al-Bukhari 4563)

The Quran records it too: “Allah is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust!” (Quran 3:173, Pickthall)

In Arabic many people say “Hasbunallahu wa ni‘mal wakil.” It can be a short phrase to repeat slowly when fear rises.

“And put thy trust in Allah, for Allah is sufficient as Trustee.” (Quran 33:3, Pickthall)

A “tie and trust” check-in

1. Name the worry in one sentence.
2. Ask: what is one small thing I can do about this today?
3. Do that one thing, or plan when you will.
4. Say: “Allah is Sufficient for us.”
5. Notice your breath for a minute and let your shoulders drop.

When his grandchild was dying, the Prophet’s ﷺ eyes “started shedding tears.” When asked about it, he said: “It is mercy which Allah has lodged in the hearts of His slaves, and Allah is merciful only to those of His slaves who are merciful (to others).” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1284)

Crying when you are hurting is not weak faith. It is part of the mercy Allah placed in human hearts.

He passed a woman weeping at a grave and told her to be patient. In her grief she said, “Go away,” not knowing who he was. Later she came to apologize, and he said: “Verily, the patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1283)

Notice that he did not scold her for her harsh words. He understood that grief can make people say things they do not mean.

After being rejected and hurt at Ta’if, he said: “I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and proceeded on, and could not relax …” Even then, when offered revenge, he said: “No but I hope that Allah will let them beget children who will worship Allah Alone, and will worship None besides Him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3231)

The best of creation felt sorrow so heavy that he could not rest. If you feel overwhelmed, you are in honorable company. His response shows that sorrow and hope can exist together.

When Prophet Ya‘qub heard the painful news about his son Yusuf, he said: “(My course is) comely patience. And Allah it is Whose help is to be sought in that (predicament) which ye describe.” (Quran 12:18, Pickthall)

Beautiful patience is not silence. It is turning your pain toward Allah instead of toward despair, and asking for help.

“Endure thou patiently (O Muhammad). Thine endurance is only by (the help of) Allah. Grieve not for them, and be not in distress because of that which they devise.” (Quran 16:127, Pickthall)

You do not have to manufacture patience on your own. You can ask Allah for it, and accept help from people He sends your way.

“Allah divided Mercy into one hundred parts. He kept ninety nine parts with Him and sent down one part to the earth, and because of that, its one single part, His Creations are merciful to each other, so that even the mare lifts up its hoofs away from its baby animal, lest it should trample on it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6000)

Think of the kindest person you know. That kindness is from one part. This can be a comfort when you feel you have fallen short.

“The Compassionate One has mercy on those who are merciful. If you show mercy to those who are on the earth, He Who is in the heaven will show mercy to you.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 4941, graded sahih)

A similar narration says: “The merciful are shown mercy by Ar-Rahman. Be merciful on the earth, and you will be shown mercy from Who is above the heavens.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1924, graded hasan)

“‘A’isha, verily Allah is kind and He loves kindness and confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity …” (Sahih Muslim 2593)

“Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective.” (Sahih Muslim 2594a)

The Prophet ﷺ told of a thirsty man who drank from a well, then saw a dog “panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst.” He climbed back down, filled his shoe with water and gave the dog a drink. “Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.” Asked about reward for serving animals, he said: “Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2363)

Caring for a pet, feeding birds or tending plants can be a gentle way to feel useful and connected when you are low.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to say at a time of distress: “La ilaha illal-lahu Rabbul-l-’arsh il-’azim, La ilaha illallahu Rabbu-s-samawati wa Rabbu-l-ard, Rabbu-l-’arsh-il-Karim.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6346)

In meaning, it declares that there is no god but Allah, Lord of the mighty Throne, Lord of the heavens and the earth, and Lord of the noble Throne. Remembering how vast Allah is can make a problem feel smaller.

The Prophet ﷺ said to Asma’ bint ‘Umays: “May I not teach you phrases which you utter in distress? (These are:) ‘Allah, Allah is my Lord, I do not associate anything as partner with Him.’” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1525, graded sahih)

It is short enough to say on a single slow breath. Many people find it easy to remember when their mind feels scattered.

The Prophet ﷺ taught that a servant who suffers a calamity can say: “We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange for it.” (Sahih Muslim 918b)

Umm Salama said these words when her husband Abu Salama died, even though she could not imagine anyone better. She later said Allah gave her better in exchange.

When the Prophet ﷺ went to bed he would say: “Bismika amutu wa ahya.” When he got up he would say: “Al-hamdu li l-lahil-ladhi ahyana ba’da ma amatana wa ilaihin-nushur.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312)

In meaning, at night: “In Your name I die and I live,” and in the morning, praise to Allah who gave life back after sleep. A steady bedtime phrase can help signal to your body that it is time to rest.

“Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse (them).” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6125)

You are one of “the people” too. When your inner voice makes everything harder, try asking: what would make this a little easier today?

The Prophet ﷺ said that no one enters Paradise by deeds alone, “Not even myself, unless Allah bestows His favor and mercy on me.” He then said: “So be moderate in your religious deeds and do the deeds that are within your ability …” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5673)

When you are unwell, your ability may be smaller for a while. Doing a little, steadily, still counts.

“… do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise).” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6463)

The Quran describes the Muslim community as “a middle nation” (Quran 2:143, Pickthall). Balance is part of the faith.

“Don’t consider anything insignificant out of good things even if it is that you meet your brother with a cheerful countenance.” (Sahih Muslim 2626)

“Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1956, graded hasan)

On a hard day, you may not manage big things. A smile, a kind word or a text to a friend is still good, and still counted.

“The best of you is the best to his wives, and I am the best of you to my wives.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3895, graded sahih)

The Quran describes marriage as a place of rest: “He ordained between you love and mercy.” (Quran 30:21, Pickthall)

‘A’isha was asked what the Prophet ﷺ did at home. She said: “He used to keep himself busy serving his family and when it was the time for prayer he would go for it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 676)

Sharing the load at home eases stress. If a family member is struggling, quietly taking on a chore can say “I care” without words.

The Prophet ﷺ kissed his grandson Al-Hasan. A man said, “I have ten children and I have never kissed anyone of them.” The Prophet ﷺ looked at him and said: “Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5997)

Warmth and affection help children feel safe. It is never too late to start showing it.

“And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both as they did care for me when I was little.” (Quran 17:24, Pickthall)

Caring for aging parents can be tiring. Asking for help and taking breaks lets you keep caring for the long run.

“The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6114)

A man asked for advice, and the Prophet ﷺ said again and again: “Do not become angry.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6116)

Psychologists describe anger as a normal human emotion. Calming down means lowering your heart rate and letting the feeling pass, and the healthiest way to express anger is assertively, without hurting others.

“None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 13)

Turning this around can help too: the care you would wish for a struggling friend is the care you deserve.

“Gabriel continued to recommend me about treating the neighbors Kindly and politely so much so that I thought he would order me to make them as my heirs.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6014)

“Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor … and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6018)

The Quran names kindness to “the neighbour who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbour who is not of kin.” (Quran 4:36, Pickthall)

“He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection … Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother.” (Sahih Muslim 2699a)

Being “at the back of” someone means standing behind them with support. A meal, a lift or a listening ear can lighten someone’s load.

In a hadith qudsi, Allah will say: “O son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit Me.” When asked how, He will say: “Didn’t you know that such and such servant of Mine was sick but you did not visit him and were you not aware of this that if you had visited him, you would have found Me by him?” (Sahih Muslim 2569)

Mental illness is illness too. Checking in on someone who is depressed, anxious or in hospital is part of this beautiful teaching.

Three men vowed to pray all night forever, fast every day, and never marry. The Prophet ﷺ said: “By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5063)

Sleep, meals and relationships are part of his Sunnah, not distractions from faith.

“And He it is Who maketh night a covering for you, and sleep repose, and maketh day a resurrection.” (Quran 25:47, Pickthall)

“And have appointed your sleep for repose.” (Quran 78:9, Pickthall)

The CDC says adults aged 18 to 60 need 7 or more hours of sleep a night. A regular bedtime, a dark, cool room and putting screens away before bed can help.

‘A’isha said that every night when he went to bed, the Prophet ﷺ would cup his hands, blow over them after reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas, Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas, “and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub.” He did that three times. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017)

He also taught a companion to make wudu before bed, “then lie down on your right side” and say a dua handing his affairs to Allah. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6311)

Try a gentle routine

1. Make wudu, and notice the cool water on your skin.
2. Lie down on your right side.
3. Recite the last three surahs and wipe over your body.
4. Say “Bismika amutu wa ahya.”
5. Breathe slowly and let the day go.

“O Children of Adam! Look to your adornment at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not prodigal.” (Quran 7:31, Pickthall)

Regular meals keep energy and mood steadier. If eating has become a struggle, talk with your clinical provider. Eating disorders are real and treatable.

U.S. crisis lines

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741
• Emergency: call 911 if a life is in danger

You can reach out for yourself or for someone you are worried about.

Some people feel more at ease with a counselor who shares or respects their faith. Islamic faith & mental health lists Muslim counseling centers and therapist directories in “When and where to get help.”

When faith and therapy meet explains how to bring your faith into therapy and how to talk with a faith leader.

Find A Helpline (findahelpline.com) is a free directory of checked crisis lines in many countries. You can search by country and by what you need.