Do not lose Excerpt from the Book " Don't Be Sad" Photo courtesy of Flickr Allah answers the prayer of the disbeliever who is in distress; so how much more can the Muslim expect who doesn't associate partners with Him? Mahatma Gandhi, perhaps second in popularity in India only to the Buddha, was on the verge of slipping were it not for his dependence on the strength of prayer. And how do I know this? Because, he himself said, "If I didn't pray, I would have gone mad a long time ago. This was the effect of prayer, and Gandhi was not even a Muslim. Unquestionably, his falsehood was great, but what kept him going was that he was on a path. And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.  (Qur'an 29: 65) Is not He [better than your gods] who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him...  (Qur'an 27: 62) (And they think that they are encircled therein, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Alone, saying: `If You [Allah] deliver us from this, we shall truly be of the grateful.  (Qur'an 10: 22) Despite a thorough search through the biographies of Muslim scholars, Muslim historians, and Muslim writers as a group, I have failed to find a single one of them who fell prey to anxiety, confusion, and mental illnesses. The reason is that they lived in peace and serenity, and that they lived uncomplicated lives that were free from all forms of affectation. But those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and believe in that which is sent down to Muhammad, for it is the truth from their Lord, He will expiate from them their sins, and will make good their state.  (Qur'an 47: 2)  Contemplate the following statement of Ibn Hazim: "There is only one day separating kings and me. As for yesterday, their taste of it has vanished, and both they and I equally fear what tomorrow will bring. Thus there is only today. And what will today bring?" The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "O' Allah, I ask you for goodness today: in its blessings, success, light, and guidance." O' you who believe! Take your precautions...   (Qur'an 4: 71) And let him be careful and let no man know of you.   (Qur'an 18: 19) And they said nothing but: `Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions [in keeping our duties to you], establish our feet firmly, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk.   (Qur'an 3: 147)