π Five tips to cope better with social anxiety,
Or social phobia, when you feel scared excessively
Of socializing or being judged negatively,
Feeling like people are always staring intently,
Mostly unable to rest due to fears and worries:
~•~
One: As His servant, fear Only Allah Almighty
Who controls all things, including Qadr/Destiny.
Don't let your fear of people's judgment and enmity
Stop you from serving Allah and striving to succeed.
Concern with people's views mustn't become blasphemy.
~•~
Two: People care more about themselves generally.
So while at times you wonder, "What do they think of me?
Am I presentable? Did I behave decently?",
Some question their choices or conduct similarly.
Why impress humans who are not perfect entirely?
~•~
Three: Say the morning and evening Adhkaar frequently.
A stable connection with Allah can guarantee
Stronger levels of faith/Imaan, healthy self-esteem
So you don't deem yourself unhappy or unworthy,
And you seek Allah's Love, not fellow slaves' flattery.
~•~
Four: Understand if you cancel an activity,
Like asking questions during class for more clarity
Or correcting someone's mistake done innocently,
All because of shyness, you miss out abundantly
On the rewards of kindness and enjoining good deeds.
~•~
Five: Negative thoughts such as, "Shut up, you're nobody.
Don't bother talking. You'll sound nervous, unclear and weird.
Keep pretending to be busy, so they won't come near."
Stem from our enemy shaytan who wants us to fear
Other creations to commit shirk indirectly.
~•~
Fear just Allah Who made us, grants guidance and can shield,
Our Creator Allah Who owns all worlds, skies and seas.
When you feel anxious around a strict boss, skilled colleagues,
Or someone who displays more outstanding qualities,
Calmly breathe and tell yourself, "Allah is Greater. HasbunAllah wa Ne'm Al-Wakeel.".
~•~
π Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah’s noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: 'If only I had done something else.' Rather say: "Allah has decreed what He wills." Verily, the phrase 'if only' opens the way for the work of shaytan."
Source: Sahih Muslim 2664
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim
π Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand (by stopping it physically). If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue (verbally, by warning or speaking against that wrongdoing). If he is unable to do so, then with his heart (by at least hating the sin instead of admiring the wrongdoers), and that is the weakest level of faith."
Source: Sahih Muslim 49
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim