Speaking & Media

Many families have now logged multiple weeks of isolation because of the Coronavirus. While this time at home is a unique opportunity to reconnect with our loved ones, changes in work environment, schooling, financial stress, and worries about the virus itself may inevitably contribute to rising tension at home. Listen as Imam Omar Suleiman, Ust. Lobna Mulla, Bibi Khan, Sh. Abdullah Odoru, and Najwa Awad, LCSWC provide tips on how to not only survive this period of isolation

How do we manage our spirituality and mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak? The outbreak of COVID-19 is stressful for people and communities. In addition to fear of the risk of the disease itself, voluntary social isolation, mosque and school closures, and shifts in working situations can take a toll on our spirituality and mental well-being. Join Yaqeen Founder & President Sh. Omar Suleiman and authors of the Trauma series Sarah Sultan LPC, LMHC and Najwa Awad, LCSW

Here are five ways to cope mentally and spiritually with the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the full infographic and webinar for more information on ways to cope with the Coronavirus pandemic. For more resources on coping with the Coronavirus pandemic, explore the collection. At a Glance How to cope with stress during coronavirus? Coping with stress during the coronavirus pandemic begins with focusing on what is within your control while creating healthy routines and emotional

Here are 20 practical coping skills you can use to relieve stress. For more resources on coping with the Coronavirus pandemic, explore the collection. At a Glance What are the best ways to cope with stress daily? Consistent habits regulate the mind and body, reducing daily stress. Practices like deep breathing, journaling, movement, mindfulness, and connection with supportive people reduce stress levels and improve emotional well-being. Building rest and reflection into your

It’s easy to get caught up in cycles of negativity, especially if there are a lot of bad things happening to you or around you. Here are three reasons why you think the world is against you and some ways to change your negative thought patterns. Read the full publication to learn more. At a Glance Why do I feel like the world is against me? Feeling like the world is against you often develops when repeated stress, disappointment, trauma, or emotional pain begin shaping how yo

At a Glance Why do I feel like Allah is upset with me? People experience hardship, emotional pain, and spiritual struggle. Islamic teachings make it clear that difficulties are not signs of Allah's anger or rejection. The Qur'an and Prophetic teachings say that hardship is part of life. It helps us grow, reflect, and become spiritually better. Research and Islamic scholarship confirm that emotional struggles are not a punishment or a sign of weak faith. How to deal with spiri

Jealousy is painful. It feels like a heavy object you carry inside your chest and no matter how much you dislike the feeling you can’t find a way to get inside and remove the aching. Internally you may also feel sad, anxious, and overwhelmed. Nobody wants to feel jealous and be consumed by desiring what others have. Jealousy can also feel ungrateful and petty, which compounds layers of guilt within. Outside you might wonder if others can see the burden you are carrying. Jealo

Najwa Awad discusses the impacts of jealousy and resentment, especially with the culture of oversharing on social media, and some practical tips on how to overcome thoughts and emotions associated with it. Click here to read the rest of our article on Yaqeen Institute At a Glance Why do I compare my life to others? Social comparison is a way to assess your success and identity. It pushes you to see how you measure up against others. Your mind actively uses this process to ass

When we experience love and fulfillment in relationships, we feel secure in how we see ourselves and relate to the world around us. Kindness, vulnerability, and loyalty are some of the best parts of our inner selves, and when we share those qualities with the people closest to us, it makes us feel good to receive those gifts in return. On the contrary, when we put a tremendous amount of effort in trying to make a relationship work and do not have the same affection and love r

" Unexpected events can knock the wind out of us. When we build up expectations of ourselves, people around us, or things to come, a part of us begins to live in our future dreams. Yearning for what is coming and fantasizing about what lies ahead helps us get through our mundane lives. These dreams inspire us and motivate us to be better versions of ourselves, with our families and even with the world. When these expectations don’t develop or materialize as expected, a

At a Glance Why do I blame myself for everything? Self-blame is a typical reaction to stressful or traumatic experiences. People blame themselves to regain control over painful situations, even when they are not at fault. Repeated self-blame becomes an automatic thought pattern that damages self-worth, emotional well-being, and relationships. Trauma survivors often internalize their pain. This can lead to harmful thoughts, such as feeling flawed or believing they could have d

At a Glance Is feeling sad a sign of weak faith? Feeling sad is not a sign of weak faith in Islam. Islam acknowledges sadness as a natural part of human experience, not a failure of belief. The Prophet and other faithful people felt deep grief. This shows that emotional struggles are a normal part of life. Islamic teachings state that these struggles are life's tests, not evidence of spiritual weakness. How does Islam view sadness and emotions? Islam recognizes the full range

At a Glance Why do I feel like Allah hates me? Trauma can connect experiences of rejection and abandonment with feelings of unworthiness, leading people to project those feelings onto their relationship with Allah. While the feeling is real and painful, it reflects the impact of past wounds rather than evidence of divine rejection. How to deal with spiritual doubts during hardship? Spiritual doubts can be addressed through self-reflection, identifying emotional reasoning, and

At a Glance What is traumatic grief and how is it different? Traumatic grief occurs when a loss is experienced as both a bereavement and a traumatic event. In addition to the sadness of grief, a person may struggle with intense shock, disbelief, intrusive memories, fear, or difficulty processing what happened. The trauma can complicate the grieving process, making it harder to adapt to the loss and move toward healing. How can you cope with sudden loss and trauma? Coping with

At a Glance What is the Duha Approach for trauma treatment? The Duha Approach is a faith-based trauma model rooted in Islamic Psychology and inspired by Surah Ad-Duha. It explores how trauma can affect a person's relationship with Allah and uses the themes of the surah to help foster hope, trust, and spiritual healing. How does the Duha Approach support trauma recovery? The model helps individuals understand the impact of trauma on thoughts, emotions, and faith. By drawing on

At a Glance What causes chronic fatigue in daily life? Chronic fatigue can develop from a combination of physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors. Common causes are: Prolonged stress Poor sleep Burnout Anxiety Depression Medical conditions Pushing too hard without enough recovery These factors can lead to serious issues over time. Research shows that ongoing stress and emotional strain can really drain energy. This can leave people feeling tired, even after they rest. How t

At a Glance How to cope with trauma after a tragic event Coping with trauma starts with validating your reaction. Tragic events trigger shock, fear, anger, and sadness. Process your experience at! your own pace, rather than expecting to recover immediately. Talking about what happened, staying connected with others, and expressing your emotions build resilience over time. Healing requires emotional processing and restoring a sense of safety and meaning. How does community vio

At a Glance How can people cope with trauma after a tragic event? Coping begins by acknowledging the emotional impact of the event, staying connected to supportive people, maintaining daily routines, and seeking help when needed. Prayer, dhikr, and community support can also provide comfort during times of distress. What are common signs of trauma after violence? Common reactions include intrusive memories, heightened anxiety, sleep disturbances, sadness, anger, emotional num

"Overcoming black-and-white thinking is no easy feat, but it can be done with self-compassion, commitment, and a lot of practice. You matter. Your feelings matter and your future matters...." Click here to read the rest of our article on Yaqeen Institute At a Glance Why do I feel life is meaningless sometimes? Life is meaningless when you question its purpose, direction, or value - a common part of an existential experience. Stress, trauma, or prolonged emotional pain tri

At a Glance Why do I feel hopeless about the future? Hopelessness develops when pain feels ongoing, and relief seems impossible. Your mind interprets the future based on current or past experiences, making it more than just a present problem. Research shows that hopelessness is connected to depression and lower resilience. It blocks your ability to see positive outcomes. Your feelings do not predict the future - they are a current state of mind that can be changed. How to dea

We’re created with the power to conquer our mistakes and change ourselves for the better. At a Glance How to take control of your life and change habits Change often begins with small, consistent actions. The Prophet ﷺ taught that Allah loves deeds that are done regularly, even if they are small. By taking gradual steps, building healthy routines, and relying on Allah for support, positive habits can become easier to maintain over time. What are the steps to create lasting ch

Becoming a new mother can be one the most rewarding experiences a woman can have in life, but it can also be incredibly challenging and overwhelming. New motherhood is typically associated with feeling incredibly blessed, a new sense of fulfillment and family bonding. There is a general expectation that new mothers should be happy and when they are not everyone is left bewildered as to why. What is a new mom supposed to do when there is a piercing angst wedged deep with

Feeling trapped within the confines of the same problem over and over again is both soul-crushing and overwhelming. Whether the issue is never-ending conflict with a family member, recurring feelings of defeat, or something holding you back from living the life you envisioned for yourself, it’s emotionally exhausting to face the same issue day in and out, sometimes year after year. A difficulty that keeps resurfacing, sometimes under different guises, can feel like push

When you hear the word “trauma,” images of a soldier in combat, holding on to dear life while people all around him are being violently killed, may come to your mind. Or maybe you envision a refugee who forcefully left her beloved home to relocate to safety, only to have her entire family drown at sea. Trauma can provoke a wide range of ideas, but if you are like most people the clinical term feels exceptional and uncommon, and like something that doesn’t happen to ave