Suffering from Anxiety? Here's why Divine Knowledge Can Treat It

It is said that the great saint Abū Madyan (d. 1198) was once visited by a man who told him: “the Crusaders were victorious over the Muslims,” whereupon he responded: “praise be to God!” and did not react. Those in Abū Madyan’s company were surprised that the Shaykh did not react. Thereupon he extended two of his fingers, and pointed to one of them and said: “this is the Guide, al-Hādī.” Then he pointed to the other and said “this is the Misguider, al-Muḍill.” He then pointed to the place where the two fingers meet on the outer surface of his palm and said: “my heart is here.”

The knowers of God recognized his spiritual allusion. What it means is that the one whose heart is with God is not confounded by the realities of the names. And were it not for the Shaykh’s consideration of the reality of the name the Assister, al-Nāṣir, the two outcomes would not be equivalent for him. Thus, the reality of the name the Assister, al-Nāṣir, is all-pervading.