Extreme fear There are many lessons we can learn from different stories in the Quran about handling fear and anxiety. All of us experience moments and periods of overwhelming fear, when we do not have control over our emotions. How do we exit this predicament? What is the solution? At this time, many of us feeling afraid of the rapacious spread of the coronavirus, its new strain and the relentless rise in the number of cases not just here but affecting our loved ones abroad. Inshallah it will go away soon, but for the time being we are surrounded by and experiencing a high degree of fear. The incredible story of Musa’s mother (peace be on him) In particular the story of Musa’s mother in Surat al Qasas is a deep lesson on how to handle emotions of apprehension. Though the story of Musa (peace be on him) has been mentioned several times in the Quran, I want to focus specifically on the aspect of his mother’s acute fear. We know that she had her new born baby at a time when Firaun was sending his troops to capture and kill all the new born Israelite boys, as he had seen a dream that one of these babies would be a threat to his kingdom. Stuck between a rock and hard place Musa’s mother knew that anytime this baby whom she loved with all her heart, would be taken from her. It is a very visual story, as we imagine her terror, the sinister troops approaching, the menacing knock she was expecting on her door at anytime, and her baby in her arms. Yet, Allah inspired her: When We inspired your mother with the inspiration. (20:38) He told her to nurse the baby, and when she was overwhelmed by fear … Continue reading How to combat fear and anxiety. Lessons from the story of Musa (peace be on him)