Worried About Family After Death

03 May, 2017
Q Assalamu `alaikum. I am a 38 married Muslim with two children. Unfortunately, I am a smoker and due to this I have developed Hypochondria and have convinced myself I am going to die soon and every ache and pain scares me. Right now I have pain in the arms and have convinced myself that I have lung cancer. I keep thinking what will happen to my wife and kids after I am gone and the sad part is in this state of mind. I tend to smoke more, I am going crazy. I do pray a lot and it helps, but even while praying, I am constantly thinking of my problems and can't seem to concentrate like I should. Please guide me. Jazak Allah khair.

Answer

Answer:

As-Salamu `Alaikum brother,

Thank you for writing us with your concerns. You say you have ‘developed’ hypochondria due to the fact that you smoke, and from this, you have a condition of paranoia and are worried you are dying. Something Satan is obviously feeding this fear of yours and doing so through your psyche. It’s not logical, and I’m sure you realize this, which means that you are being influenced by something spiritually.

If it’s smoking that’s been causing you to fear all these things then the obvious solution would be to stop smoking immediately, go to a doctor and get a full check-up. If you are that scared and are convinced that you are going to die at any time then these shouldn’t be difficult steps to take. Don’t make excuses, just do the rational thing.

In sha’Allah, once you are able to take these two very important steps, then you will have no more excuses to think as you are thinking, assuming the doctor gives you a clean bill of health. He/she should also be able to tell you what’s wrong with your arms.

Secondly, make sure you recite the last two surahs of the Qur’an as often as possible, Al Falaq and An-Nas. Recite them wherever you are and whenever you can. Keep them on your tongue at all times. Whenever you feel or sense your mind drifting towards thoughts of death and fear, immediately recite these surahs.

The answer to this kind of illness is always dhikr Allah (remembrance of Allah). Don’t get discouraged or give up even if you feel that you are losing your concentration, simply try to refocus your mind as often as you can without getting upset or emotional. Try your best to maintain this state of dhikr as often as possible.

Lastly, if you know of a learned sheikh near to your home, please go visit and ask them for guidance on how to deal with this matter. It is always best to get face to face counsel from a learned person.

Most important, please don’t allow this condition to paralyze you into non-action. Please go see a doctor and get checked, and stop smoking. If you love your family as you say you do, that should not be too hard to do.

Please write us again if you have more questions.

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About Dr. Abd. Lateef Krauss Abdullah
Dr. Abd. Lateef Krauss Abdullah is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Science Study’s Community Education and Youth Studies Laboratory, Universiti Putra Malaysia. He received his B.A. from the University of Delaware (U.S.), his M.S. from Columbia University (U.S.) and his PhD from the Institute for Community & Peace Studies (PEKKA), Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2005 in the field of Youth Studies. Abd. Lateef is an American who has been living in Malaysia since 2001. He is married and has 2 children.