Steps to overcome Addiction

  

Today, I address a matter that silently consumes lives, families, and societies – addiction. Whether it is tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or even excessive internet use, addiction is a form of slavery that chains the soul and weakens the body. It is a disease of desire, and its cure lies in faith, discipline, and sincere repentance.

About 20% of adults worldwide are addicted to tobacco, and millions more suffer from drug addiction. These habits destroy health, wealth, and spirituality. Islam offers powerful guidance to overcome them.

 

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 5 adults worldwide (about 20%) are still addicted to tobacco, despite global efforts to reduce smoking. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that millions are addicted to natural and synthetic drugs, with rising trends in synthetic opioids and stimulants.

 

These substances are not just harmful – they are deadly. Tobacco alone causes over 8 million deaths annually. Drugs lead to overdose, mental illness, broken families, and crime. Alcohol contributes to liver disease, violence, and loss of dignity. These are not just health issues; they are spiritual crises. Allah says in the Qur’an:

 

“Do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” (An-Nisa 4: 30)

 

“They ask you about wine and gambling [which is also very harmful – an addiction]. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’” (Al-Baqara 2: 220)

Divine Mercy

  

In a world filled with distractions, pain, and uncertainty, there remains one truth that is stable and eternal: Divine Mercy. Allah, the Creator of all the worlds, is full of Rahma – that is, a tenderness and compassion that surpasses all human understanding. At the beginning of every Surah in the Qur’an (except Surah At-Taubah), we find this invocation: Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). These two attributes, Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, are derived from the word Rahm, which means: the maternal womb – a symbol of deep love, protection, and gentleness. This shows that Divine Mercy is not merely an abstract concept, but a living reality that envelops all of creation.

In Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 157, Allah says: “My mercy encompasses all things.” And in Surah Az-Zumar, Verse 54, He says: “O My servants who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” These words are a comfort to the heart; a call towards hope, towards returning to Allah in repentance, towards light after darkness.

 

In a Hadith Qudsi reported by Bukhari and Muslim, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah said: My mercy prevails over My wrath.” This Hadith forms a foundation in Islamic understanding: Allah is Just, but His Mercy is vaster than His punishment. He gives every soul a chance to return sincerely to Him, in obedience.

Battles of the Heart

The Struggle between Divine Will & Ego’s Wish 

In daily life, every person finds themselves confronted by an inner struggle; a battle not visible to the naked eye, yet very real within the heart and mind. It is not a war fought with swords or guns, but a silent conflict – a battle between good and evil; between light and darkness. It is a clash between divine guidance and personal desires; between what Allah has commanded and what the Nafs (the passionate soul) yearns to do. This struggle does not begin in the streets or in society; it begins within the heart itself. It is a constant battle; it starts from childhood and lasts until death. Whoever triumphs in this struggle achieves true success.

 

The Holy Qur’an describes the Nafs in various ways. There is the Nafs that inclines towards evil, known as “an-nafs al-ammarah bis-su’,” as mentioned in Surah Yusuf, Verse 54: “Indeed, the soul commands evil, except for the one upon whom my Lord has mercy.” This state is dangerous, for it normalises sin; it justifies disobedience; it turns what is forbidden into pleasure. Yet Allah, in His mercy, grants the opportunity to purify this Nafs, to transform it into a tranquil soul (an-nafs al-mutma’innah), as mentioned in Surah Al-Fajr: “O soul at peace, return to your Lord, pleased and pleasing.”

Tawwakul: Trust in Allah

 

In the life of a Muslim, there is a fundamental principle that permeates every aspect of existence: it is trust in Allah, known as Tawakkul. This concept is not merely an abstract idea or a fleeting emotion; it is a way of life, a direction of the heart, a discipline of the soul. When a person truly understands Tawakkul in its depth, they begin to live with a peace that does not depend on external circumstances, but on an intimate connection with the Creator.

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah repeatedly emphasises the importance of placing trust in Him. For example, in Surah At-Talaq, Verse 4, He says: “And whoever places his trust in Allah, then Allah is sufficient for him.” This statement is filled with promise and comfort. It clearly conveys that if a person truly turns to Allah with trust, then they need not rely on anyone else. Allah is sufficient for that person; He knows all their needs, all their fears, all their desires, and He can satisfy their heart even when the entire world turns its back on them.