Finding Strength Through Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام’s Life and Science
– Atoofa Nasiha
My Dear Allah,
“My heart races and my hands tremble just thinking about facing people. My mind keeps imagining every way I could fail, every mistake I could make. I tell myself, “I shouldn’t feel this way… I should be stronger,” but the fear only grows. I want to hide, to disappear, to escape this feeling. No one seems to understand, and I feel so alone with these worries. Sometimes, Ya Rabb, it’s hard even to believe that I can be brave.”
Feeling anxious and having self-doubts is very common. Especially when we keep it bottled inside, without talking it out to anyone. The fear grows louder in our chest, the thoughts race faster in our mind, and it feels as though we are alone in that moment of weakness.
Allah mentions how Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامfaced anxiety at certain moments in his life. One of the greatest Prophets honoured in the Qur’an, yet he too struggled with fear and hesitation.
Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام and His Anxiety
When Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامwas commanded by Allah to go to Firaun and call him to the worship of One God, he felt a deep weight in his chest. He knew Firaun was powerful, cruel, and would not easily listen. Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام feared not being understood, and he doubted his own ability to deliver Allah’s message. Allah mentions it beautifully in Surah Ta-Ha (20:25-28):
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱشْرَحْ لِى صَدْرِى
Moses said: “Lord! Open my breast for me; (20:25)
وَيَسِّرْ لِىٓ أَمْرِى
and ease my task for me, (20:26)
وَٱحْلُلْ عُقْدَةًۭ مِّن لِّسَانِى
and loosen the knot from my tongue (20:27)
يَفْقَهُوا۟ قَوْلِى
so that they may understand my speech;” (20:28)
If we read this deeply and think about what it feels like when we are anxious, we can understand Musa’s عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام feelings. Saying, “Untie the knot from my tongue so that they may understand my speech,” shows how helpless he felt. Haven’t we all wanted to be heard, to express ourselves clearly, but felt like our words got stuck or misunderstood? He wanted Allah to make them all listen and understand what he was saying. He directly voices his anxiety, his fear of not being understood, his hesitation, and his plea for inner strength.
But then Allah responds to his cry:
ٱذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَأَخُوكَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِى وَلَا تَنِيَا فِى ذِكْرِى
“So go forth, both you and your brother, with My Signs, and do not slacken in remembering Me.” (20:42)
This is what Allah wants. He can never leave the believer who remembers Him ﷻ in every step of life.
And then see what Allah says:
قَالَ لَا تَخَافَآ ۖ إِنَّنِى مَعَكُمَآ أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ
He said: “Have no fear. I am with you, hearing and seeing all.” (20:46)
He first said, “Do not slacken in remembering Me,” and then He said, “I am with you, hearing and seeing all.”
See how beautiful that is? Allah is basically telling us, “I’m right here with you, I hear you, I see you.” What more assurance could our hearts need?
Later, Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامremembered another fear from his past. When he accidentally struck a man from his people, he killed him. The weight of that incident haunted him, and he feared others might retaliate against him. Allah says in Surah Al-Qasas:
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي قَتَلْتُ مِنْهُمْ نَفْسًا فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُون
He said, “My Lord, I have killed one person from among them, and I fear that they will kill me.” (28:33)
Here, we can see Musa’s عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام anxiety is layered. Not only did he fear Firaun and the challenge ahead, but he also carried guilt and worry from past actions. The Qur’an states his very human feelings like fear, hesitation, and the need for reassurance.
And when Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامwas first commanded to speak to Firaun, he questioned his own ability to confront such a tyrant. The Qur’an says in Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26:12-15):
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ
He said: “My Lord! I fear that they will brand me a liar.” (26:12)
وَيَضِيقُ صَدْرِى وَلَا يَنطَلِقُ لِسَانِى فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَىٰ هَـٰرُونَ
“My breast is constricted and my tongue is not fluent, so endow Messengership on Aaron.” (26:13)
وَلَهُمْ عَلَىَّ ذَنۢبٌ فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ
“As for me, they hold the charge of a crime against me. I fear they will put me to death.” (26:14)
Then Allah responded to Musa’s عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامplea,
قَالَ كَلَّا ۖ فَٱذْهَبَا بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ ۖ إِنَّا مَعَكُم مُّسْتَمِعُونَ
He said: “Certainly not! So go both of you with Our Signs. We shall be with you listening to everything.” (26:15)
This shows that Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامadmitted his fears, recognised his own limitations, and asked for support. In response, Allah comforted him with the assurance that He would be with him, listening to everything. Together, these verses remind us that even in moments of deep anxiety, turning to Allah and trusting His presence gives us the strength to face what feels impossible.
Now, if we reflect on all these ayahs together, we see a pattern. Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامvoiced his inner turmoil honestly, recognised his weaknesses, and turned to Allah for clarity, courage, and support. His fears were real, his hesitation understandable, yet he sought help through prayer and guidance.
Now do you think it is you alone who is suffering when the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامhimself suffered? But let’s see further into what science says.
Understanding Anxiety: A Scientific Perspective
Anxiety is more than just a fleeting feeling; it’s a complex physiological and psychological response. At its core, anxiety activates the body’s “fight or flight” system, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This response, while protective in immediate danger, can become detrimental when triggered chronically, leading to symptoms such as restlessness, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty concentrating.
Research indicates that individuals with higher levels of anxiety often experience alterations in brain regions responsible for fear processing, such as the amygdala. Chronic anxiety can also impact the prefrontal cortex, impairing decision-making and emotional regulation.¹
The Role of Belief in God in Alleviating Anxiety
Belief in a loving and forgiving God has been associated with reduced anxiety levels. A study published in Psychology Today found that individuals who perceive God as loving and supportive report lower stress and anxiety levels. In contrast, viewing God as punitive can correlate with increased psychological distress.²
Furthermore, belief in God can provide a sense of purpose and meaning, which are crucial buffers against anxiety. A study in the International Journal of Depression and Anxiety highlighted that belief in God was negatively related to depression, with meaning in life serving as a mediating factor.³
Ibaadah as Coping Mechanism
Engaging in prayer and other Ibaadah can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing the physiological symptoms of anxiety. Research indicates that regular prayer can lead to decreased sympathetic nervous system activity and increased parasympathetic activity, helping individuals enter a calm or relaxed state.⁴
Additionally, attachment theory suggests that viewing God as a secure attachment figure can provide emotional stability. Individuals who perceive God as a reliable source of support are less prone to intense or chronic fear, as they feel a sense of safety and security.⁵
Relating to the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام
Reflecting on the experiences of the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام we see that even the most revered figures faced moments of doubt and anxiety. His prayers for clarity and support serve as a reminder that seeking help through belief and spiritual practices is not a sign of weakness but a path to strength and resilience.
Just as Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام turned to Allah in his moments of uncertainty, we too can find solace and guidance through our faith. Remember, you are not alone in your struggles; seeking support through belief can be a powerful way in overcoming anxiety.
Lessons from the Qur’an and Science on Overcoming Anxiety
- Anxiety is part of being human – Even someone as strong as Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام felt fear and self-doubt. That tells us it’s not a flaw; it’s just part of how we’re wired to respond to challenges. Science calls it the body’s “fight or flight” mode kicking in. So, experiencing it doesn’t make you weak, it simply reminds you that you are human too.
- Talk it out – Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام spoke directly to Allah about what worried him. We can do the same in our duas. Psychologists say that voicing our feelings, or even writing them down, helps our brain calm down and process emotions. Being unexpressive doesn’t make you strong; it only worsens your mental health. So, talk it out.
- Support gives strength – Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام was given Harun as a companion and Allah’s constant reassurance. That’s a reminder that we’re not meant to handle everything alone. Research also shows that having support, whether from faith or people, lowers anxiety and makes us feel safe. Saying “I can do everything on my own” is an unnatural determination. Everyone needs someone at some point. So, approach people and seek help even if you don’t know them, because once you’ve asked for Allah’s support, He may guide you through them.
- Calm the body, calm the mind – Anxiety makes the heart race and the muscles tighten. But prayer, dhikr, or even taking a deep breath while remembering Allah slows the nervous system down. Science has a plenty of studies showing how mindfulness reduces stress. This is what makes a stubborn believer exceptional, because belief in Allah without doubts or hesitation itself becomes a constant source of power.
- Trust shifts the weight – When Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ handed over his fears to Allah, he found the courage to move forward. Psychologists also explain that accepting what’s out of our control eases long-term anxiety. Trust makes the burden feel lighter. We may not be able to trust everything with people, but with Allah our relationship grows intimate when we start to blindly believe in His Qadr.
- Do your part, then rely on Allah – Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامprepared himself but also leaned on Allah’s help. That balance is key. Science points out that when you pair effort with hope, your confidence rises and stress falls. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Trust in Allah, but tie your camel first.”
- You are never alone – Allah repeatedly reminds us, “I am with you, hearing and seeing.” That assurance is enough to carry us through the hardest days. But that belief of being watched should sink into our conscience. It becomes a source of comfort only if our actions are right.
Dua For Anxiety (From Hadeeth)
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6369)
References
- Stewart, C., Wetselaar, J., & Stewart, J. (2019). Review of the Effect of Religion on Anxiety. International Journal of Depression and Anxiety, 2(1), Article 16. Retrieved from https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijda/international-journal-of-depression-and-anxiety-ijda-2-016.php
- Papaleontiou-Louca, E. (2021). The Psychological Benefits of Spirituality. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-health-nerd/202503/the-psychological-benefits-of-spirituality
- Magin, Z. E., David, A. B., Carney, L. M., Park, C. L., Gutierrez, I. A., & George, L. S. (2021). Belief in God and Psychological Distress: Is It the Belief or Certainty of the Belief? Religions, 12(9), 757. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12090757
- Upenieks, L. (2022). Unpacking the Relationship Between Prayer and Anxiety: A Consideration of Prayer Types and Expectations in the United States. Journal of Religion and Health, 62(3), 1810–1831. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01708-0
- Cherniak, A. D. (2021). Attachment Theory and Religion. Current Opinion in Psychology, 40, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.04.005
