Pessimism.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

'If you but knew what I know - you would laugh little and weep more'.

Would you call this 'pessimism'?

[Abu Ishaaq]

I would call it 'encouragement'

It really depends on how you choose to accept those noble words. I see no reason to be pessimistic upon reading those words. We should combine our fear of punishment/horrors of Grave/Barzakh with hope that Allah will forgive us our sins.

This reminds me of the saying of Ibnul Qayyim

“The heart is like a bird: love at its head and its two wings are hope and fear.”
Ibn Al-Qayyim, Madarij al-Salikeen

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

This reminds me of the saying of Ibnul Qayyim

“The heart is like a bird: love at its head and its two wings are hope and fear.”
Ibn Al-Qayyim, Madarij al-Salikeen


I actually find both these quotes quite comforting,

'If you but knew what I know - you would laugh little and weep more'.

But how does Islam view 'pessimism'?

It is a characteristic that an individual cannot change - you are the way you are.

Although I think only the optimistics are the 'hopeful' ones.

[Abu Abdallah al-Bulghari]

'If you but knew what I know - you would laugh little and weep more'.

Would you call this 'pessimism'?

No. And I would not call apply any of the many useless terms from the useless Western terminology on the sayings of the Prophet, sal Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam.

Seriously, the only thing that Muslims should learn from the West are arms and how to make them.

[Abu Ishaaq]

I actually find both these quotes quite comforting,



But how does Islam view 'pessimism'?

It is a characteristic that an individual cannot change - you are the way you are.

Although I think only the optimistics are the 'hopeful' ones.#

I think its easy to become pessimistic and disconsulate when you read such a statement. However it can work two ways, either you can let the pessimism take over and let you fear the worst and give up hope of accomplishing anything, or, you can let it be a means of strive even harder to do good, in the hope that it will be accepted.

It's up to the person at the end of the day.

It would have been interesting to see what Sheikh Saalih Munajjid has said about this subject, but I could not find any questions posed to him that dealt with such an issue.

Have you read 'Dont Be Sad' by Sheikh Aa'idh Al Qarnee?

I'm sure he talks about how to tackle pessimism in there, but I would remember if my friend gave the book back!

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

No. And I would not call apply any of the many useless terms from the useless Western terminology on the sayings of the Prophet, sal Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam.

Seriously, the only thing that Muslims should learn from the West are arms and how to make them.

Why do you consider this word to be derogatory?

I was just asking a question.

[Abu Ishaaq]

No. And I would not call apply any of the many useless terms from the useless Western terminology on the sayings of the Prophet, sal Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam.

Seriously, the only thing that Muslims should learn from the West are arms and how to make them.

Like this?

http://www.geekologie.com/2007/08/21/rocket-powered-arm.jpg

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

#

I think its easy to become pessimistic and disconsulate when you read such a statement. However it can work two ways, either you can let the pessimism take over and let you fear the worst and give up hope of accomplishing anything, or, you can let it be a means of strive even harder to do good, in the hope that it will be accepted.

It's up to the person at the end of the day.

It would have been interesting to see what Sheikh Saalih Munajjid has said about this subject, but I could not find any questions posed to him that dealt with such an issue.

Have you read 'Dont Be Sad' by Sheikh Aa'idh Al Qarnee?

I'm sure he talks about how to tackle pessimism in there, but I would remember if my friend gave the book back!

Funny you should say that - I bought this book just the other day. Will read it once I get the time Insha'Allah.

[Abu wakee]

It's not pessimism. Being pessimistic is quite antithetical to the concept of patience and gratitude in Islam. I think Nabi (sal Allahu 'alayhi wassalam) was being prudent that's all.

Btw I reccomend reading the following article:

http://www.newislamicdirections.com/nid/articles/islam_and_the_restoration_of_meaning/

[Abu Abdallah al-Bulghari]

Like this?

http://www.geekologie.com/2007/08/21/rocket-powered-arm.jpg

You think that you look funny, youngster, but you look only stupid. Try not to make an idiot out of yourself. It is not befitting a man to make a clown out of himself.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

It's not pessimism. Being pessimistic is quite antithetical to the concept of patience and gratitude in Islam. I think Nabi (sal Allahu 'alayhi wassalam) was being prudent that's all.

Btw I reccomend reading the following article:

http://www.newislamicdirections.com/nid/articles/islam_and_the_restoration_of_meaning/


Wow, thanks for the link. I had no idea that there was an anthropological field in Islam.

I find nihilism interesting too.

But I don't think that 'pessimism' is being unhappy all the time or depressed, neither does it mean disregarding patience and hope. I just think it's a way of looking at things.

We shouldn't be too 'Oh I love this world' nor 'Oh I hate this world'. We should strive for a balance.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

You think that you look funny, youngster, but you look only stupid. Try not to make an idiot out of yourself. It is not befitting a man to make a clown out of himself.

It's called having a sense of humour.

[morbius]

Optimism is just a lack of information.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

Optimism is just a lack of information.

Or maybe having 'faith'?

[Abu Ishaaq]

You think that you look funny, youngster, but you look only stupid. Try not to make an idiot out of yourself. It is not befitting a man to make a clown out of himself.

Woah lighten up dude

No need to get personal.

If you like I would like to apologise for the pic was just trying to make light of your input this thread was about pessimism and you start talking about West and arms.

Sãžaljavam

[Abu Abdallah al-Bulghari]

Woah lighten up dude

No need to get personal.

If you like I would like to apologise for the pic was just trying to make light of your input this thread was about pessimism and you start talking about West and arms.

Sãžaljavam

Apology accepted. I apologize for being harsh in my tone as well.

As for the subject: this is a serious matter. We are copying Kuffaar right and left without even realizing it. That is how it is wide spread.

I wish everyone critically assess every single habit they have and understand where does this habit comes from - from islam or from monkeying the Kuffaar.