The Islamic Golden Age was an extraordinary time in human history, marked by exemplary intellectual and cultural flourishing. During this period of enlightenment, Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi, an exceptional 9th-century Muslim scholar and polymath, emerged, leaving an indelible mark on numerous fields of knowledge. Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi was born in 850 CE in Shamistiyan, a Persian village in the province of Balkh, Khorasan, in what is now Afghanistan. His outstanding contributions to geography, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and science demonstrated the period’s intellectual vitality. The Islamic Golden Age spanning from the 8th to 14th centuries was marked by significant advancements in various fields that had a lasting impact on human civilization, for example, the rise of extraordinary polymaths.

At the heart of Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi’s achievements lies the fusion of Islamic scholarship with the wisdom of ancient civilizations. His versatility and breadth of knowledge reflected the multidimensional brilliance that defined this transformative era.

He studied under Al-Kindi, who is commonly referred to, in certain sources, as the “father of Arab philosophy.” He built upon the groundwork established by renowned scholars like Al-Farabi and Ibn Sina, incorporating their valuable insights with his distinctive contributions. The exchange of ideas, the synthesis of knowledge, and the intellectual spirit were what motivated scholars during the Golden Age of Islam.

During this learning period for Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi, he lived in a time when scholars translated texts from the Greek language into the Arabic language. This helped preserve and spread knowledge that would have been lost otherwise. Islamic scholars made original contributions to various fields through their own research and experimentation. A prime example is Al-Khwarizmi’s contribution to algebra, which revolutionized mathematics and paved the way for modern calculus.

Similarly, Abu Zayd Al Balkhi’s writings exhibit his superior intellect, broad interests, and profound knowledge of traditional Arabic culture, political and ethical thought, and the Hellenistic philosophical and scientific tradition. On the other hand, he was able to explain intricate concepts in straightforward language in his writings.

The majority of what we know about Al-Balkhi’s life comes from one biographer, Yaqut al-Hamawi. In Mu’jam al-Udaba, Hamawi writes that when Balkhi spoke, it was as if “a shower of gems had fallen.” People who knew him described him as a shy and contemplative person. Balkhi preferred seclusion and contemplation over socializing with friends.

Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi wrote over 60 books and manuscripts. Regrettably, only a small percentage of his documents have survived to the present day, with the possibility that some may be hidden within the confines of museums or inaccessible libraries. The intellectual prowess of the scholar is evident in his works on the “Sustenance of the Soul” and the “Balkhi School” of terrestrial mapping. In The Kitāb al-Fihrist (The Book of Catalogue) compiled by Ibn Al-Nadim, he attributes several works to Al-Balkhi including the Excellency of Mathematics, on Certitude in Astrology, and Figures of the Climates.

Abu Zayd al-Balkhi’s contributions to the fields of psychology and medicine are highly regarded for their significance. He has made noteworthy advancements in the field of human psychology. His understanding of mental health was notably advanced, exceeding the prevailing knowledge of his time:

He has delved into various fields demonstrating his extensive knowledge and brilliance. It’s interesting to think about the profound insights and immense wealth of knowledge that could have been gained from his enigmatic texts that have vanished into the mists of time. Still, Abu Zayd al-Balkhi’s achievementsdemonstrate the impact of scholars working together and the significance of promoting a culture that stimulates originality and ingenuity dating as far back as the Golden Age.

About the Author:

Famidah Dirampaten is the Assistant Editor for the World Hijab Day Organization. She is also a candidate for the Master of Arts in Religious Studies with concentrations in Interfaith Peace Building and Nonprofit Leadership at the Unification Theological Seminary in New York. She is currently based in Doha, Qatar. When she’s not busy weaving words or volunteering her time, you can find her soaking up the joy of motherhood. Instagram@famidz

The post A Polymath of the Islamic Golden Age appeared first on World Hijab Day.

And with each passing day, I’m getting a better perception of the instability in people. I’m getting more clarity on how changing the world around me is. Alhumdulillah.

So, what have I learned from these experiences?

Even now, I tend to get anxious when I get too concerned about worldly life, for example work, studies and the people around me. Then I ask myself, who am I relying on?

I realize that the key to breaking our anxious thoughts is having a firm tawakkul (trust) in Allah’s plan, which means relying entirely on Allah and not expecting anything from anyone in return. We need to make Allah the reason, the number one priority and intention behind everything we do. Moreover, clinging onto Allah’s path is believing that there is khayr (good) in all the circumstances we face. Also, duas (prayers) are crucial.

In other words, we need to remind ourselves that we’re all like travellers, sooner or later, about to exhale our last, deep, long breath. Only in that remembrance can we truly understand that this life is temporary and we will return to our Rabb (Allah/God). Let’s ask ourselves, what are we doing to prepare for the next journey? If I were to die today, would the worries of this worldly life matter an ounce of the energy that I put into it?

Most of our worries are related to rizq or whatever Allah has provided for us on Earth. I guess sometimes we forget that the Al-Razzaq already determined our rizq when we were inside of our mother’s womb, long before we arrived on Earth. We forget that it’s Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem, Who created us and with His Rahma, He’s been taking care of us all along. And when people betray you or make you feel abandoned or unworthy, remind yourself of this: “Your Lord did not abandon you, nor did He forget ( Quran 93:3).”

The world can leave us, but Allah will never forget or abandon us. Everything, including everyone we love or trust, can disappoint us, change and/or end, but Allah is Al-Hayy and Al-Quyyam, the ever-living and ever-sustaining. He is eternal. He was and will always be there when His creation turns away from us.

As Muslims, we are supposed to focus on things that will benefit our akhirah and we want the best of this life and the hereafter. Whenever we are worried about something, let’s think of our intentions. Are we seeking to attain Allah’s pleasure via what we plan to do? Are we relying on Allah? If so, then strive towards what we‘re doing and take a deep breath because we have nothing to worry about: “And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent” (Quran 65:3).

In other words, trust that Allah will take care of everything. To Him, the Al-Basir, all our struggles and setbacks will not go unnoticed: “And whosoever is conscious of Allah, He will make for them a way out (Quran 65:2).”

May Allah give us all the best in this world and the next, Ameen.

About the Author:

Sumena Hussain is a 22-year-old Bangladeshi writer residing in Toronto, Canada. She’s currently editing her debut novel, a coming-of-age Muslim immigrant fiction with the core theme of journeying back to Islam that she hopes to publish in 2023. You can connect with her via Instagram @sumena_hussain

The post Ask Yourself This to Overcome Anxiety appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Living in a bubble where life looked so shiny and spotless, I had no idea about the basic minimum struggles people face in their daily lives. Then, like a tornado, my life changed overnight. After my father was taken away from us, my world and the bubble that he so lovingly built to safeguard us, came crumbling down.

Well, I haven’t really picked up the keyboard today to preach my sad story. Rather, it’s to share my ray of hope: the sheer willingness of getting back in life, working through my depression, heartbreak and anxiety. A lot of those who know my story keep asking, “how do you remain calm?” I am not perfect and often, my panic wrath is bestowed upon my close ones, which I immediately regret afterward.

However, there are a few practical tips that helped me to keep my calm. I am no medical expert so please spare me that scrutiny. Just like a sister in the hood, I am passing down some of my survival practice to anyone in need of it:

1.“Surah Ar- Rahman” is my jam. I keep it on loop on YouTube. I even kept a downloaded version in case there was no internet. I play it for my baby too when he sleeps. I make sure I am not doing anything when I play the recitation because I need to feel the melody. Quranic recitation is scientifically proven as a means to calm the nerves. When my baby was in the NICU, the hospital in Malaysia would play Quranic recitation on a loudspeaker. I once asked if any non-Muslim mother had ever complained about it. The nurse informed me that they saw how this recitation calmed the baby so they never complained. They regarded it as therapy. But, it made me wonder how blessed we are to have such an amazing gift from Allah and yet, we hardly utilise it.  

“Surah Ar-Rahman” isn’t just melodious, but its meaning gives me strength. Through it, my Creator repeatedly asks me, “Have I not done enough for you? Have I not given you enough?” What are you so grumpy about, girl?  I believe, if we look with desperate eyes, there is always a surah that mends the heart in a given situation. Look for it, understand the words and make it your jam.

2.Wash your feet and leave it wet. I know this seems weird, but it helps to calm the body down. Do this when anxiety creeps up on you and your body feels like it’s on fire. Wet your feet even when you are irritated and sleepless. Make wudu (Islamic cleansing ritual before prayers and before reading the Quran), but as you wash your feet, don’t towel–dry it.

If you have a congested nose and cough, take a shower and make sure to pour water abundantly on your head. Our Prophet Muhammadﷺ said that fever is fire and water calms it down. Hence, if you have a fever, drinking a lot of water and doing wudu helps. During a hot summer day, take a half–hand full of water and pour it on the scalp of your head; leave it like that and let it slowly dry on its own. It will also save you from a heat stroke. Water is an amazing remedy that we often underestimate.

3.Hug someone tightly. Skin to skin touch is another miracle of Allah that has not been explored much by people. I have seen the miracle first–hand when my baby was born prematurely. “The kangaroo care,” where the baby is placed on the bare skin of a parent, speeds up the recovery process exponentially.

Now, in his toddler years, the best remedy for his tantrums is to hug him. It works on adults too. Take a deep breath, hug someone and do not speak about what is bothering you as verbal communication at that moment of heat can cause a panic attack. Hug your husband, your sister, your mother or your dear friend of the same gender. If I feel stressed out, I will just go to my son and say, “Mummy needs a hug.” He has become so accustomed to it that it’s almost funny to see him handling it so maturely بارك الله فيك.

Source: https://hrmars.com/papers_submitted/3852/the-effect-of-recitation-quran-on-the-human-emotions.pdf

About the Author

Sumaiya Rabeya is a researcher and content writer. She is the co-founder of a Malaysia-based media-production company. Sumaiya is also a community volunteer, actively working on various projects related to Islamic dawah, social engagement and women. Born in 1989, she graduated with a degree in Politics and International Relations and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Gender Studies. Moreover, she has been working as a media content writer for over a decade. As a Bengali young mother, she feels responsible in creatively contributing to society.

The post 3 Islamic Remedies to Keep Calm appeared first on World Hijab Day.