Negativity and pessimism is all around us today. It’s like the air we breathe. From early in the morning headlines of murder, fighting, terrorism, abuse, corruption and accidents vie for your attention. And now there is the added concern of Covid-19 as the cases keep on increasing. You end your day with the sad images of death, destruction, recession and crimes.

Then throughout the day, you are bombarded with your own anxieties and concerns. Your head feels like it is going to explode from all the worries and issues, you can`t make the rent again this month, your utilities bill is in arrears, school fees are overdue, madressah teacher called you twice in the month to discuss your child`s behavioural issues, and the list just goes on…..

All these anxieties add up over time and kill your optimism. It’s easy to get stuck in the realities of this life, become depressed, and lose sight of the bigger picture.

This is the time when your optimism and positivity is put to the real test.

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏عجبا لأمر المؤمن إن أمره كله له خير، وليس ذلك لأحد إلا للمؤمن ‏:‏ إن أصابته سراء شكر فكان خيراً له، وإن أصابته ضراء صبر فكان خيراً له‏”‏ ‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “How wonderful is the case of a Believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a Believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him”. [Muslim]

Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ personality was a fountain of optimism. Despite his own trying financial situation and the verbal insults hurled at him throughout the Makkan period of his Prophethood, he remained extremely positive. He was constantly looking for ways to bring relief to the persecution of the Believers.

The Prophet ﷺ was optimistic about the state of even his worst enemies. He was constantly praying for their guidance and asked Allah to strengthen His Deen with the help of these influential leaders. As a result, Omar bin Khattab (RA), Khalid bin Waleed (RA) and others embraced Islam. Based on the Prophet’s ﷺ futuristic outlook, we witness him proactively making alliances with various tribes across Arabia and with nations beyond Arabia.

Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ optimism and trust in Allah was highlighted during his dramatic journey to Madinah. When the pursuers got to the mouth of the cave in which he and his companion, Abu Bakr (RA) were hiding, he encouraged Abu Bakr (RA) with great calm and optimism, as recorded in the Quran,

لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ مَعَنَا

“Don’t worry. Verily Allah is with us.”

If you read the lives of the great Companions of the Prophet ﷺ , they are replete with examples of positive attitude and focus on the bigger picture. From Khadija’s (RA) profound words of comfort to the Prophet ﷺ when he was overwhelmed by the first ever revelation, to Aisha’s (RA) incredible acts of generosity to the poor despite experiencing pangs of hunger herself.

If you are a positive person, people will love to be around you. You are a good team player and you look for solutions. Employers, co-workers, neighbours, family members, friends, and volunteers will be attracted to your contagious optimism. People are naturally attracted to those who offer hope and practical advice. On the other hand, people are repelled by those who complain and whine about events and situations, especialy ones which they have no control over.