Stress and the means of overcoming it

In the name of Allah the Most Merciful

Trading on the stock exchange is often associated with high levels of stress. Stress and tension interfere with good decision making and hinder a balanced approach in analyzing trading transactions. High uncertainty, risk and fear of capital loss increase anxiety. These are all daily realities of a trader's job. 

But how to reduce this level of stress? After all, the calmer the soul the more balanced the strategy and as a consequence the higher the income. The answer to this question, for a Muslim, actually lies on the surface, you do not need to dig far, but should turn to the book of Allah. 

Allah said in the Koran: "Is it not by the remembrance of Allah that hearts (souls) are soothed?" (13:28). Imam Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the remembrance of Allah removes sorrow and worries from the heart of a believer, instilling good mood and joy in the hearts of Muslims. 

There are six ayats in the Qur'an, which are called "ayats as-sakinah" (ayats of tranquility), and they are found in different surahs.

The first ayat is found in Surah Baqarah in which Allah says: "Their Prophet said to them: 'The sign of his kingdom will be that a trunk of peace will come to you from your Lord. In it will be what is left over from the family of Musa (Moses) and the family of Harun (Aaron). It will be brought by angels. It will be a sign for you, if only you are believers" (2:248).

Then there are two ayats in Surah Tawbah in which Allah said: "Then Allah sent down tranquility on His Messenger and the believers, sent down warriors whom you do not see, and tormented those who do not believe. Such is the retribution of the unbelievers!" (9:26), also, "If you do not support him (Muhammad), for Allah had already supported him when the disbelievers drove him out. He was one of the two who were in the cave and said to his companion (Abu Bakr): "Do not grieve, for Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down calmness upon him and supported him with warriors whom you have not seen. Allah has made the word of the disbelievers inferior, whereas the Word of Allah is supreme. Allah is the Mighty, the Wise" (9:40). And three ayats in Surah Al-Fath where Allah said: "He is the One Who sent down peace in the hearts of the believers so that their faith may increase. To Allah belongs the host of the heavens and the earth. Allah is the Knower, the Wise" (48:4), similarly, "Allah was pleased with the believers when they swore oaths to you under the tree at Hudeibiyyah. He knew what was in their hearts and sent down peace upon them and rewarded them with a near victory" (48:18), also, "Behold the disbelievers placed in their hearts the arrogance, the arrogance of times of ignorance, but Allah sent down peace upon His Messenger and the believers and laid upon them (or made inseparable from them) the word of piety (the testimony that there is no deity but Allah). They deserved it more than others and were worthy of it. But Allah is Aware of every thing" (48:26).

About the healing property of His Book, Allah Almighty said: "We send down in the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but to the lawless it adds nothing but loss" (17:82).

Recitation of the ayat of 'saqina' contributes to obtaining tranquility from Allah in any adversity. Shaykhul-Islam narrated, "When I became very heavy during my illness, I said to my relatives and those who were around me at that time, 'Recite the ayat of tranquility.' And then the hardships suddenly let go of me and I sat down as if nothing had happened." I myself also tried reciting these ayats when my heart was shuddering from what was befalling me, and I saw how these ayats helped it to find tranquility and peace." About the healing property of his book, Allah Almighty said: "We send down in the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, and to the lawless it adds nothing but loss" (17:82).

In conclusion, it should be noted that healing from Allah because of the Qur'an can only be achieved by reading His book in Arabic, as only the writing sent down in Arabic is called the Qur'an, and all kinds of translations are only an attempt to convey the meanings of what has been sent down.

Allah knows best!