A seeker wrote of his condition to Hazrat Thanwi رحمه الله as follows:
Currently I am overwhelmed by sorrow and grief which is just increasing all the time. Let alone weeks, I haven’t felt any relief and happiness for months at a stretch. It seems as though my mind and heart are staring death in the face. I find no solace in solitude and not even in company. The seeming emptiness and uselessness of life causes me to feel totally constricted. The desire for death has not yet assailed me, but I definitely feel that life is a burden.
In my current state, each day passes with a painstakingly slow speed.
Hazrat, together with making Dua for me, kindly show me the way out as well.
Hazrat Thanwi رحمه الله responded as follows:
This state which you are experiencing is referred to as ‘Qabdh’ (a spiritual low or constricted state) which afflicts everyone (to varying degrees).
Outwardly it appears to be a calamity, but in reality it is a great bounty.
There are various possible underlying causes for this state such as:
- Natural changes that occur in one’s temperament.
- Spoiling of the vapours found in the body (such as blood, phlegm, yellow and black bile…)
- Environmental factors.
- Medicinal causes.
- Factors that are diet and food related.
- Psychological factors such as intense worry, stress, anger, (fear, traumatic experiences), etc.
The remedy for all the above is to treat them with counter measures (their opposites in order to balance and bring them to equilibrium)
- At times, the condition is the effect of the commission of a specific sin.
This is remedied by seeking forgiveness in abundance and making amends for the wrong perpetrated
- At times, the condition is brought upon one in order to elevate one’s ranks and position in the sight of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
This occurs many a time when there is a deficiency and lack in one’s good actions which are within one’s volition and choice. This is made up for by being afflicted with challenging conditions being imposed on one which are beyond one’s control. These cause one’s ranks to be elevated.
- At times, upon noticing one’s being empty and bereft of the perfect and ultimate levels of Akhlaaq (character/praiseworthy qualities) during the course of self reformation, a sense of lowliness and a feeling of uselessness overtakes one.
Through this, many base qualities are remedied, such as pride, vanity, hard heartedness etc.
- At times, one’s level of love and reverence for Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is tested.
If one was carrying out good deeds in times of happiness and joy, which also conforms to the dictates of one’s nafs, then a state of listlessness and lethargy overtakes one. Carrying out good deeds in this state as well can only be motivated by intense divine love and extreme reverence.
- At times, one is drawn and attracted to a very special proximity to Allah Ta’ala خل خلاله in the holy spiritual realm, through removal of all obstacles and barriers (due to the grief etc)
- At times there are other causes which cannot be explained (only one who experiences them will be able to relate to them)
After this introduction, take special note of the following factors:
1.Sometimes there can be a combination of several causes of Qabdh
2. When a state of Qabdh overtakes one, it is not necessary to delve into diagnosing and identifying and trying to pinpoint the specific causes. Such an approach proves mostly to be harmful, because there is no way to verify it with absolute certainty. If one’s diagnosis turns out to be incorrect, then all one’s efforts in that direction would have been in vain.
3. Take all the above mentioned possibilities into consideration and give due attention to fulfilling the rights of each one. In other words, adopt a holistic approach by resorting to Taubah and Istighfaar (repentance and seeking forgiveness), adopting Shukr and Sabr (gratitude and patience), Tafweedh and Tawakkul (Adopting the necessary means whilst handing over the outcome and results to Allah Ta’ala, all the while relying upon him alone), Tawaadhu (humility), Du’a and Ibtihaal (Earnest supplication), abundance of Zikr, maintaining consistency upon the performance of good actions, cutting down unnecessary relationships and ties, adopting means to enhance one’s happiness and strengthen one’s physical and mental well being such as meeting with friends, spending quality time with one’s spouse and children, occupying oneself with due moderation in things that one enjoys.
Work out a timetable and include the above measures in one’s daily routine.
4. The above measures should not be adopted with the explicit intention of getting cured, nor should one expect with certainty to attain contentment and joy.
The measures adopted should be regarded to be goals and objectives in themselves, so much so that if the state of Qabdh remains lifelong, then too one should remain pleased (with the divine decree) and continue to remain consistent upon fulfilling the above mentioned practices.
5. Stay away from anything that causes constriction and disturbance except in the case of dire need.
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله willing, by holding firmly onto the above course of action, in most cases one will definitely attain a mental state of ease if not at an emotional and physical level.
After acquiring Bast (joy and ease), if one presumes that that the state of Qabdh has returned, then one should brace oneself to remain committed to still holding onto the prescribed course of action.
This is like the case of one who always experiences the seasonal flu. He does not become perturbed each time, but simply gets a new prescription and takes the appropriate medication.
The response to the above prescription
I am honoured to have received your response to my query.
My condition of Qabdh still prevails with no sign of any ease and cheerfulness returning.
I know fully well the reality of my Iman and actions, based on which there is no possibility that my state of Qabdh can be due to my being drawn closer to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and for the removal of impediments in attaining special proximity to him.
Reply of Hazrat Thanwi رحمه الله
The conclusion that you have reached is questionable. There are many of our seniors regarding whom we have a firm belief which borders on conviction, that they were drawn very close to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and the impediments were removed by means of the intensity of the Qabdh experienced by them. To a greater degree than you have mentioned, would they say regarding themselves that they only, are aware of the reality of their Iman and actions.
It is stated in Saheeh Bukhari regarding seventy Badriyyeen (Sahabah رضي الله عنهم who had participated in the battle of Badr):
Each one of them feared lest he be a hypocrite.
Actually, according to the ‘Aarifeen, this type of opinion regarding oneself is a proof of perfect Iman. One who is deficient in Iman does not pay any attention towards the deficiency in his Iman.
(Tarbiyatus-Saalik v.2 pg.186)
Benefits of Qabdh (A spiritual low – a state of intense grief/ sorrow/ worry/ distress/ depression/ anxiety)
The state of Qabdh contains more benefits than the state of Bast. Though the benefits of Qabdh may not be noticed at the time, they do however, in most instances, become noticed as time passes. Even in the instances where they remain unnoticed, the benefits will in any case be there.
The objective is the acquisition of the benefits. Discerning and identifying the benefits is not the objective.
The effects of total humility and submission become manifest in the state of Qabdh, like realisation of one’s helplessness, utter lowliness and complete dependence and neediness, and total annihilation of self opinion.
The above states are in conformity to what our seniors have been inspired with.
Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is with the broken hearted.
In reality, the path (leading to Allah Ta’ala) is not based upon sharpening one’s intellect and understanding ie. One will not attain the objectives and understanding the secrets of the path through one’s intelligence and understanding alone).
None except the broken hearted can attain the special grace of the king ie. His special grace is focused upon the humble ones.
Self conceit/ vanity is cured through the state of Qabdh. One experiences first hand the reality of servitude, and witnesses one’s total lowliness and self annihilation.
At such a time, the acid test and the factor to be looked at is whether one remains steadfast upon carrying out one’s duties that are within one’s ability or not!
If one passes this test, then one deserves the highest marks and grades.
(Anfaase ‘Eesa pg.99)