As the genocide in Palestine rages on, many of us watch with feelings of fear, anger, pain, and helplessness. While social media has made it possible for us to bear witness to the pain of the Palestinian people, we must acknowledge the impact of seeing image after image of the atrocities carried out against the Gazan people. It’s very easy– and natural– to feel overwhelmed with strong emotions. These tips can help you navigate difficult feelings and build resilience during these trying times.
1. Acknowledge and Channel Your Feelings
Seeing injustice happening to our brothers and sisters can be infuriating and heartbreaking. Some of us feel betrayed by those who have turned a blind eye to the injustice. Many of us feel guilty for continuing to live our lives while our brothers and sisters abroad suffer tremendously. However, to stay resilient, it is important to name and acknowledge our feelings rather than bypass them.
When Allah ﷻ describes the trials and tribulations of prophets and righteous people, He also describes the feelings they experience throughout their tribulation. Take the example of Maryam, the mother of Prophet Isa, peace be upon them both. As the fear of her community’s response to a fatherless child gave way to the pain of labor, “She cried, ‘Alas! I wish I had died before this, and was a thing long forgotten!”
“She cried, ‘Alas! I wish I had died before this, and was a thing long forgotten!”
[Quran 19:23]
After wishing she were dead, Allah ﷻ tells Maryam to shake the palm tree. To do something, no matter how small, because even the smallest steps are steps forward. Our tradition teaches us to reframe and redirect our strong emotions productively. But we can only do that when we give ourselves the time and space to feel first. Consider what message your emotions are sending you. It’s a difficult balance to find, but protect yourself from feeling stuck in despair by naming your emotions and channeling them into action.
- When experiencing anger, know that feeling angry is not a poor reflection of your character.
- Just as the Prophet ﷺ had anger for others, your anger is on behalf of those who are oppressed and genocided. However, you must act on your anger righteously.
- Donate to the best of your ability, show good character at protests, and speak up firmly but respectfully.
2. Reframe How You Think About Change
Our lives are all fundamentally different – the average person does not have the same amount of power as an influencer, politician, or world leader. Our strengths, skills, and positions in life vary from person to person. You may feel unworthy or helpless because your actions alone won’t make as much of a difference to our brothers and sisters across the world. But as an individual, changes that reach halfway across the globe are not your metric for success. Granting justice to the oppressed is the domain of Allah ﷻ only. Our domain is to do what we can with the power and privilege that Allah ﷻ has given us.
“And he will provide for them from an unexpected source; God will be enough for those who put their trust in Him. God achieves His purpose; God has a set due measure for everything”.
[Quran 65:3]
Focus on what you can do individually and within your circle of influence so that you don’t feel paralyzed by the work that needs to get done collectively. And remember: change is not always linear. Trust Allah ﷻ, and keep moving forward one step at a time.
3. Find Your Power, and Hold Yourself Accountable to Using it
Rather than punish yourself for the power you don’t have, reflect on the power you do have. What technology do you have access to? How can you, from where you are, make a change? Taking action where possible makes us feel empowered and more resilient.
“And their Lord responded to them, “Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female;”
[Quran 3:195]
- If you tend not to speak up, what small ways can you use your voice to do so?
- If you’re struggling with boycotting a particular brand on the BDS Boycott list, can you do some research and commit to trying an alternative brand?
- Remember that your dua and prayer is also a source of power.
Assess your spiritual state: how can you better your relationship with Allah ﷻ? Take a small step towards Him, and know that any change you make with the right intention — especially prayer, dua, and attention to your spiritual health — is a service to Palestine. You are an essential cell in the body of our ummah; though it’s easy to feel small, you are not powerless.
4. Engage Positively with the Cause
Engage with the Palestinian cause in ways that are motivating and uplifting, like:
- Reading Palestinian stories of cultural persistence and joy
- Studying the rich history of Palestine pre-occupation
- Supporting Palestinian businesses
- Listening to lectures that offer practical tips
- Posting awareness material on social media
- Representing the cause in your daily life by wearing a pin, donning a keffiyeh (if you’re in an area where it’s safe to do so), or putting a sticker on your laptop or water bottle.
In addition, search for the little victories, like the public narrative shifting and people becoming drawn to Islam. Looking for positivity is a prophetic way to stay resilient. Know that it’s okay to take a break, replenish your cup, and set boundaries for your mental health. If you are not feeling well, then it’s harder to take action or offer support. If certain types of news or posts overwhelm you to the point of hopelessness and inaction, take regular breaks as best you can. Try spending time with loved ones, engaging in a hobby, being physically active, or taking time to focus on Duaa and spiritual self-improvement. Praying and worshiping in community can also be incredibly rejuvenating.
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”
[Quran 2:153]
Lastly, remember to have hope in Allah’s power and mercy. Remember that He will never burden a soul with more than it can bear. This cause is bigger than us and our lifetimes; while you may not see the fruits of your labor, Allah does not lose sight of your striving and will reward every ounce of your effort. To continue the fight for liberation, we must stay resilient for the long haul. Keep pushing forward and stay resilient by naming your feelings, reframing your metric for change, using your power, and practicing prophetic optimism.
For more resources on coping amidst these difficult times, visit our grief support toolkit and more articles on our website. This article is a compilation of tips from The FYI team of clinicians and community educators. – Dr. Madiha Tahseen, PhD, Duaa Haggag, LPC, Khalid Elzamzamy, MD, and Saara Patel, LMSW. Maryum Khwaja, LCSW, and Hanan Hashem, PhD, also contributed. The article was compiled and edited by Hana Mahyoub and Issra Killawi, and reviewed by Hanan Hashem, PhD, and Wafaa Ateyah, MS.
