The Islamic Stance on Pessimism

The Islamic Stance on Pessimism

Pessimism, often tied to superstitions and omens of polytheists, finds disapproval in Islam. Allah highlights this attitude in the Quran when describing Pharaoh and his people, who attributed misfortunes to Moses and his followers. The Quran states:

 فَإِذَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْحَسَنَةُ قَالُوا لَنَا هَذِهِ وَإِنْ تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَطَّيَّرُوا بِمُوسَى وَمَنْ مَعَهُ أَلَا إِنَّمَا طَائِرُهُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ﴾ [الأعراف: 131])

[In times of prosperity, they said, “This is what we deserve,” but in adversity, they blamed it on Moses and those with him. Surely all is destined by Allah. Yet most of them did not know.] 7:131

Furthermore, seeking omens is explicitly condemned in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, repeatedly stated: Taking omens is polytheism; taking omens is polytheism.[1]

The practice of seeking omens (Tiyarah) from certain birds prevailed among the Arabs, with specific focus on birds like owls and crows. Ignorantly, Arabs believed that if they were embarking on a significant task, such as a military expedition, they could rely on the flight patterns of these birds. If a bird flew to the right, they took it as a favorable sign; if it flew to the left, they interpreted it negatively.

Islam, however, nullified this superstitious practice. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, clarified that such omens had no inherent truth or reality. In a hadith narrated by Muawiyah bin Al-Hakam, he mentioned that some of their men used to practice omens. When asked about this, the Prophet explained that it was a mere feeling in their hearts, and they should not be deterred by it.

The Prophet categorically denied the validity of omens, declaring, "There is no 'adwa (contagion), no tiyarah, no hama (portent in the flight of birds indicating good or evil), and no Safar (the month of Safar was considered inauspicious for marriage)" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

He emphasized that everything people take as omens from the creations of Allah has neither inherent goodness nor badness, and it does not bring fortune or misfortune.

Some individuals associate omens with specific birds like owls and crows. For example, if a bird lands on their house, they might say, "An omen for myself." Others connect omens to certain times, like considering the month of Safar or specific days of the week, such as Wednesday, as inauspicious in marriage or other matters.

Some people engage in superstitions related to certain numbers, like considering nineteen or ten as ominous among the followers of the Rafidah. Others harbor superstitions about individuals with physical impairments, such as the blind or lame.

These beliefs vary across different times and societies. Those who trust in Allah and remember that goodness and protection from harm are in His hands can dispel the anxiety associated with superstitions. Conversely, those who dwell on these notions find them entrenched in their hearts, affecting what they hear, see, and experience.

Superstition is a negative presumption about Allah and an anticipation of adversity. That's why the Prophet (peace be upon him) guided towards taking good omens as an alternative to superstition. He declared, "No contagion, no superstition, and I favor taking good omens." When asked about this, he explained, "The good word." Scholars clarify that this preference for optimistic expressions is from Allah and His Messenger, as pessimism involves harboring negative thoughts about Allah without any substantiated reason, while optimism reflects a positive opinion of Him.

Anas said that when the Prophet went out to attend to some business he was delighted to hear someone say, “O rightly guided one! O successful one!”[2]

This is a favorable expression that a person likes to hear.

When a person feels any unpleasant superstition in their heart, they should recite this supplication:

"اللهم لا يأتي بالحسناتِ إلا أنت ولا يدفعُ السيئاتِ إلا أنت ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بك."

"O Allah, no goodness comes except from You, and no evil is averted except by You. There is no power or strength except through You."

Imam Ahmad narrated from Abdullah bin Amr that when someone is blocked by an omen and follows it, they commit an act of associating partners with Allah. The companions asked, "What is the expiation for that?" He replied, "To say:

"اللهم لا خيرَ إلا خيرُك ولا طيرَ إلا طيرُك ولا إله غيرُك"

'O Allah, there is no goodness except through Your goodness, and no omen except through Your omen. There is no deity besides You".

Alhamdulillah, the twentieth lesson concludes.