In times of deep sorrow and hardship, Imam Muhammad Metwally El-Shaarawi, known as the Imam of preachers, offered a timeless spiritual remedy for every troubled heart.
He said that whoever feels overwhelmed by worries should perform ablution, pray two sincere rak‘ahs, and say with full faith:
“O Lord, the means have become too difficult for me.”
El-Shaarawi promised that whoever says this with sincerity will surely find relief descending upon them from where they least expect, adding:
“He who has a father never worries, and he who has a Lord should be ashamed to despair. Go to your Lord — pray, and you’ll find the angels calling you even before you finish.”
The Sheikh then shared four Quranic secrets that Imam Ja‘far Al-Sadiq derived from the Book of Allah, each a cure for a specific human affliction — fear, sorrow, deceit, and want:
🔹 First Secret – Remedy for Fear:
Imam Ja‘far said: “I am amazed at one who feels fear yet does not turn to the words of Allah: (Hasbunallahu wa ni‘ma al-wakeel). For I heard Allah say afterwards: (So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah, no harm having touched them).”
El-Shaarawi explained that this verse shields the believer from every source of fear, for nothing can harm one who trusts in Allah’s sufficiency.
🔹 Second Secret – Remedy for Grief and Sorrow:
"There is no deity but You; glory be to You! Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers." (Qur’an 21:87)
El-Shaarawi noted that Allah replied: “So We responded to him and saved him from distress.”
This verse, he said, releases the heart from unseen burdens and restores peace to the soul.
🔹 Third Secret – When People Plot Against You:
"I entrust my affairs to Allah; indeed, Allah is All-Seeing of His servants."
Allah then says: “So Allah protected him from the evils they plotted.”
El-Shaarawi explained that whoever sincerely recites this verse entrusts his protection to Allah alone, who guards him from deceit and harm.
🔹 Fourth Secret – For Those Seeking Sustenance:
"Whatever Allah wills, there is no power except through Him."
After which Allah promises: “It may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden.”
El-Shaarawi said this verse opens the gates of blessing and divine abundance for those who seek provision through faith and gratitude.
In closing, El-Shaarawi advised:
“When life closes its doors, go to Allah — perform ablution, pray, and call upon Him with certainty. He never turns away a heart that seeks Him with sincerity.”
