Stop Worrying & Start Living By Abdullah Bin Saeed Az-Zahranee
” Stop Worrying ” In today’s fast-paced world, anxiety, stress, and worry have become constant companions for many. We worry about the future, about finances, about our children, and even about things beyond our control. Abdullah Bin Saeed Az-Zahranee, in his insightful book Stop Worrying & Start Living, draws on Qur’anic guidance and Prophetic wisdom to help us break free from the chains of worry and lead lives filled with peace, trust, and contentment.
Trusting in Allah: The Foundation of Inner Peace
The author begins by emphasizing the central principle of tawakkul placing one’s trust in Allah. Many of our anxieties stem from forgetting that Allah is the ultimate Controller of all affairs. When a believer truly understands that nothing happens without Allah’s will, they stop obsessing over outcomes and begin to live with serenity.
Az-Zahranee describes how excessive worry usually emanates from weak proximity to Allah. The more the believer trusts in Allah, the less space there is for paralyzing worry. He states that true peace of mind is achieved when the heart surrenders completely to the will of the Creator, believing in His perfect plan even if we do not see it completely.
The Harmful Effects of Excessive Worry
Az-Zahranee never minimizes the gravity of worry. He says that if anxiety is left unchecked, it doesn’t just touch our spiritual well-being but also our body and mind. Worry may cause chronic tiredness, weaken the immune system, and rob one of the enjoyment of life’s present moments.
The writer encourages us to ponder how many sleepless nights and lost chances have resulted from the fear of things that never even happened. He reminds us to count the cost of worry and ask ourselves: Did worry ever make anything better?
Living in the Present: The Wisdom of the Prophet ﷺ
Among the most important teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized by Az-Zahranee is that of living in the present. The Prophet ﷺ once stated:
“If something happens to you, don’t say, ‘If only I had done such-and-such,’ but say, ‘Qaddar Allah wa maa sha’a fa’al (Allah has decreed, and whatever He wills, He does).’” (Sahih Muslim). This hadith reminds followers to refrain from focusing on the past with regret or looking into the future with fear. Rather, Islam invites us to live in the present with intention, faith, and thankfulness.
Az-Zahranee exhorts us to implement this Prophetic counsel in our lives. Instead of spending energy on what-ifs, he encourages us to examine what we can do presently making the most out of time, chances, and blessings.
Gratitude: A Cure for Worry Stop Worrying
An abundant heart cannot allow much worry. The author is generous with an empowering chapter on the effect of shukr (gratitude) on our mindset. He tells us that when we consider Allah’s myriad blessings, from our health to our loved ones to the blessing of Islam itself, we are renewed. Gratitude teaches the heart to look at what’s right rather than what’s lacking. It also puts us in line with the Qur’anic promise: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].” (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)
Az-Zahranee invites the reader to develop the habit of gratitude, not just verbally but in deed as well. Spending time every day thanking Allah, serving others, and finding joy in life as it is develops spiritual strength against the rains of worry.
Strengthening Your Connection with the Qur’an
The writer keeps turning to the Qur’an as the final source of solace and understanding. Most individuals attempt to keep their concerns at bay through distractions entertainment, shopping, or even dangerous habits. But the sole enduring relief is from coming closer to Allah. Az-Zahranee reminds us that the Qur’an was sent down as a healing for that which is in the heart.
When we approach its verses not only to read them but to think upon and to follow them, we start to feel a peace that the world cannot offer. He advises reading the Qur’an as if Allah were speaking to us directly. Each verse of mercy, each story of victory against adversity, and each promise of reward is one of hope.
Prayer: Your Daily Refuge
One of the strongest weapons against worry is the daily prayer. Stop Worrying Salah brings us back to our Lord and redirects our hearts. Az-Zahranee paints the picture of Salah as a spiritual ancho anchoring us firmly when life is unsteady. He refers to the example of the Prophet ﷺ, where he would tell Bilal, “Relieve us with it, O Bilal” when he would call for prayer.
Instead of considering prayer as an obligation, the Prophet ﷺ regarded it as refuge. The writer invites people of faith to come to Salah not as a ritual to be gone through quickly but as an opportunity to offload cares and renew the soul. When done with presence and authenticity, prayer is a shield from stress.
Letting Go of Control
Perhaps one of the most liberating lessons in the book is the reminder that we are not in control and that’s okay. Much of our anxiety stems from trying to manage every detail of our lives and fearing what will happen if things don’t go our way.
Az-Zahranee invokes readers to submit themselves to the One who never errs. He puts into writing that when you realize that you cannot control everything anymore, you truly start living. Life is easier. Problems still arise, but they do not overwhelm you because your trust lies in the Almighty.
Replacing Negative Thoughts
Anxiety starts in the mind with a thought. If allowed to go unchecked, that thought grows and magnifies itself into worry. The author tells us that Islam instructs us to meet and overcome bad thoughts instead of indulging them. He invites readers to speak kindly to themselves with Qur’anic truths: “Allah is with me.”
“Nothing happens without His mercy.” “Relief always follows hardship.” These are not new-age affirmations they are facts about God. By conditioning our minds to come back to these truths repeatedly, we shift the manner in which we experience life. Our fears are diminished because we understand Who’s in charge.
Conclusion: A Life Worth Living
Stop Worrying & Start Living is not only a title it’s an invitation. Abdullah Bin Saeed Az-Zahranee has blessed readers with a realistic and faith-based guide to peace of mind. His message serves as a timely reminder that we were not designed to live in fear and distress, but to flourish with trust, purpose, and remembrance of Allah.
When we live in the moment, practice gratitude, get closer to Allah, and believe in His plan in its entirety, we really stop worrying and finally, begin living.
Read more: Ar Raheeq Al Makhtum: The Sealed Nectar (Arabic Language)
