The best of the cures for sadness is to know that one cannot b | Archive

The best of the cures for sadness is to know that one cannot bring back what he has missed, rather by feeling sad he is adding another misfortune to the already existing misfortune ultimately making two misfortunes. Also a misfortune should not be made heavier by being saddened by it, rather it should be eased and pushed away. Ibn ‘Amr said, “If Allāh takes something away from you, get busy with anything that will not make you think about it.” In addition, what Allāh gives you instead of what was taken away from you makes that easier. However, if there is nothing that can make the matter easier, then one should struggle to push away sadness from his heart.

(Disciplining the Soul
Author: al-Hāfiz Abū'l-Faraj ibn al-Jawzī)