I am a young man who has become fed up of living in this transient world. I have started to feel bored and tired of it. Is there anyone who can help? There is none who can help except Allaah!.
There are many reasons for hating this world. There are some people who dislike this transient world and long for that which is with Allaah of reward, and who love to meet Allaah. Hence some of the salaf said: “The gift of the believer is death.” For he detests this world and his heart is attached to the Hereafter. Yet despite his dislike for this world, he carries out his duties towards Allaah and His slaves, and he strives to do good as much as he can, in accordance with the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):
“And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death)” [al-Hijr 15:99]
And there are some people who detest this world, not because of the Hereafter, but because they think that their share of it is very little, and that others are better off then them. Undoubtedly this is a kind of discontent with the will and decree of Allaah, for Allaah is the One Who bestows blessings and distributes provisions, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And if Allaah were to enlarge the provision for His slaves, they would surely rebel in the earth, but He sends down by measure as He wills. Verily, He is, in respect of His slaves, the Well?Aware, the All?Seer (of things that benefit them)” [al-Shoora 42:27]
Some people hate this world because they have been faced with a great deal of trial, stress and exhaustion in it. Undoubtedly these people do not understand the true nature of this world. This world is the realm of striving and trial, the realm of stress and exhaustion, especially for the righteous believer, who encounters all kinds of trials by means of which Allaah expiates his sins and raises him in status. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, We have created man in toil” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:2-3]
Remember how the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was tested. His people showed enmity towards him, and the closest of people to him resisted him. Some people slandered him, others persecuted him. He was thrown out of his home and was subjected to a harsh boycott. The kuffaar gathered together to kill him, and his wife Khadeejah (may Allaah be pleased with her) died at the most difficult time. He would go for a month or two at a time without eating anything but dates and water. All of this happened even though he was the Prophet of Allaah, and His Messenger, the one to whom Allaah entrusted His Revelation. All of this happened even though he is the owner of the position of praise and glory (al-maqaam al-mahmoud) and the Cistern (al-hawd) to which his ummah will come (on the Day of Resurrection). All of this happened even though his sins, past and future, had been forgiven.
So what about us, with all our sins and shortcomings?
I advise you to do the following:
Firstly: make a lot of du’aa’, calling upon Allaah, and seek to draw close to Him by different kinds of worship, such as praying, giving zakaah, fasting and so on. Beseech Allaah to take away what is in your heart (of sorrow etc) and to grant you relief. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest”
Secondly: Understand that whatever Allaah decrees for His believing slave is all good. No matter how difficult your life may become, to Allaah belong all things in the heavens and the earth. So set things straight between yourself and Allaah, and Allaah will suffice you against having any need of people.
Thirdly: Your depression and tiredness may be because of something that you have missed out on and not acquired or achieved. In that case you should know how often a person has pursued something, not realizing that in it lay his doom; and how often has a person grieved for missing out on something he wanted, but he does not know that had he attained it, it would have spelled loss in both his spiritual and worldly affairs. So accept the will and decree of Allaah, and seek the help of Allaah, and do not feel helpless.
Fourthly: Check your heart and mind, and examine your relationship with Allaah thoroughly, because a person may be denied provision because of sins that he commits.
Fifthly: You may have some personal or family problems; the way to solve these problems is by prioritizing them. Seek the help of Allaah (first and foremost), then the help of experienced people to solve these problems, and resolve these issues.
Sixthly: remember that the most sorely tried of all people were the Prophets, then the next best and the next A man will continue to be tested until he walks upon the face of the earth with no sin on him.”
Seventhly: Persist in praying for forgiveness and in worshipping. That is better for you than all the worldly steps you can take, no matter how great and how many they are. This will also relieve your worries.