Faith & Creed · Quran topic

Pessimism

التشاؤم · Tasha'um

Freeing the heart from dark omens through unwavering trust in Allah.

81 verses · 6 parts · 9 min read

Study guide based on

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

«التشاؤم» · Volume 5

At a glance

Pessimism, or expecting evil through superstition, is a heavy affliction that binds the heart in constant dread. In the Quran, this outlook is never praised; rather, it is depicted as a habitual mark of ancient nations who resisted the truth. Whenever difficulty arose, they blamed the prophets sent to guide them, projecting their own spiritual corruption onto righteous messengers.

Islam came to liberate the human spirit from the shackles of superstition and ill omens. Believing in bad omens corrodes faith, as it attributes power to signs, creatures, or arbitrary timings rather than to the decree of Allah. It stems from poor expectations of the Creator and traps a person in fear and passivity.

By anchoring oneself in divine decree (qada and qadar), cultivating good expectations of Allah, seeking sound knowledge, and nurturing a hopeful outlook, you can break free from toxic negativity. The Quran teaches us that true peace lies in relying wholly on Allah, recognizing that no harm or benefit can touch a servant except by His wise will.

Key verses

Al-A'raf 7:131: When blessings arrived, the people of Pharaoh claimed them as their right, but when hardship struck, they blamed Moses and his followers as bad omens; Allah clarifies that their true fate and affliction rest with Him alone.
An-Naml 27:47: The people of Thamud accused Prophet Salih and his companions of being an evil omen, but Salih reminded them that their destiny is with Allah and that they were being tested through alternating ease and hardship.
Ya-Sin 36:18-19: The dwellers of the town threatened their messengers and blamed them for bringing misfortune, yet the messengers responded that their ill fortune was entirely due to their own transgression and disbelief.
An-Nisa 4:78: Hypocrites attributed good fortunes to Allah while blaming adversity on the Prophet, so Allah commanded him to proclaim that all decree comes ultimately from Allah.

Words to know

التَّشَاؤُم al-tashā'um

Pessimism or expecting evil based on perceived signs without an actual verified cause, reflecting poor thoughts of Allah and discontent with His decree.

التَّطَيُّر al-tatayyur

Augury or seeing evil omens in what is seen or heard, originally derived from observing the flight or sounds of birds.

التَّفَاؤُل al-tafā'ul

Optimism and expecting good based on good thoughts of Allah and reliance upon Him.

التَّوَكُّل al-tawakkul

The heart's sincere reliance upon Allah alone to secure benefits and ward off harms.

Root: و ك ل

Pessimism as a pre-Islamic custom

From the paper: «التشاؤم عادة جاهلية»

Pessimism and superstitious augury were deeply rooted practices of pre-Islamic ignorance and ancient nations. Whenever hardship struck, rebellious peoples blamed the prophets and their followers instead of examining their own wrongdoing.

The Quran recounts four vivid examples of this mindset:

The people of Salih: When trials befell the tribe of Thamud, they blamed Salih and the believers as bad omens, yet Salih informed them that their decree and test come solely from Allah An-Naml 27:47, before divine punishment overtook them for their persistent denial Hud 11:67-68.
The people of the town: When messengers were sent to an unnamed city, the residents claimed that the presence of these callers brought misfortune and threatened them with stoning, but the messengers replied that their ill fortune was a direct product of their own sinfulness and excess Ya-Sin 36:17, Ya-Sin 36:18-19.
The family of Pharaoh: Whenever fertility and ease came to Egypt, they claimed it as their natural entitlement, but whenever drought or famine struck, they labeled Moses and the believers as an evil omen; Allah exposed their ignorance and later drowned them for their persistent arrogance Al-A'raf 7:130, Al-A'raf 7:131, Al-A'raf 7:132, Al-A'raf 7:136.
The hypocrites and opponents of Quraysh: When ease reached them, they attributed it to Allah, but when hardship struck, they blamed the Prophet's leadership, failing to grasp that all matters proceed by Allah's divine decree An-Nisa 4:78.

In every instance, blaming righteous messengers for personal suffering reflected spiritual blindness, arrogance, and an utter evasion of personal responsibility.

Causes of pessimism

From the paper: «أسباب التشاؤم»

Pessimism does not arise in a vacuum; it springs from deep spiritual sicknesses that weaken faith and disconnect the servant from the Creator:

Disbelief and association of partners with Allah: Believing that an omen can cause harm or benefit independently is major polytheism, while viewing baseless omens as causes for misfortune constitutes minor polytheism, both of which erode pure reliance on Allah Al-Fatihah 1:5, Hud 11:123, Ash-Shura 42:10. It leads to despair of Allah's mercy, which the Quran identifies as a trait of disbelievers Yusuf 12:87, Ar-Rum 30:36, Al-A'raf 7:131, Ya-Sin 36:19.
Harboring bad thoughts about Allah: Pessimism feeds on suspicion toward Allah's wisdom and destiny, mirroring the ignorant assumptions of hypocrites whose hearts were consumed by anxiety Ali 'Imran 3:154, Al-Fath 48:6, Sad 38:27, Fussilat 41:23.
Excess in sins and transgressions: Sins blind human insight and attract divine displeasure, leading people to blame external factors rather than their own offenses, just as occurred with the dwellers of the town Ya-Sin 36:19, Ya-Sin 36:29.
Ignorance and delusion: Most people attribute worldly events to superstitious secondary causes rather than to Allah's decree and wisdom Al-A'raf 7:131, Ghafir 40:46. Ignorance distorts reality, whereas the prophets sought refuge from it Hud 11:46, Al-Baqarah 2:67, Al-Hujurat 49:6, Al-Anbiya 21:7, An-Nisa 4:83.
Satanic whisperings: The devil exploits fear and vulnerability, whispering superstitious dread to lead humans toward distress and spiritual ruin Fatir 35:6, An-Naml 27:47, Al-Hajj 22:53, An-Nur 24:21, Al-A'raf 7:200.
Blind imitation: Many cling to superstitions merely because their forebears practiced them, resisting guidance out of uncritical attachment to inherited customs Az-Zukhruf 43:22, Az-Zukhruf 43:23, Al-Baqarah 2:170, Az-Zukhruf 43:24, Adh-Dhariyat 51:52-53, Az-Zukhruf 43:25.

Forms of pessimism

From the paper: «صور التشاؤم»

Pessimism manifests in numerous everyday superstitious practices across different eras and cultures:

Physical forms and people: People superstitiously feared meeting the disabled, the elderly, or righteous prophets, treating them as harbingers of financial loss or personal failure Al-A'raf 7:131, An-Nisa 4:78, Ya-Sin 36:18-19.
Birds and animals: Ancient Arabs observed the flight directions of birds, naming the leftward flight an evil omen, and feared the raven or owl. Similar superstitions targeted horned deer, horses, black dogs, and frightened antelopes.
Sounds: Hearing the screech of an owl, the cawing of a crow, the barking of a fox, or violent sneezing was taken as a sign to cancel travel or business.
Times and seasons: Many avoided marriage or significant endeavors during the months of Safar, Muharram, or Shawwal, or avoided certain days of the week, hours, or sweeping at night, imagining that time itself brings bad luck.
Titles and names: Inverting names out of superstitious fear, or fearing names that implied success lest an absence of that person signal disaster, were common tendencies addressed by prophetic manners.
Numbers: While ancient Arabs did not dwell on numbers, foreign superstitions surrounding the number 13 took root widely, even though numbers possess no power over destiny, and the Quran dispels myths around Jesus's crucifixion An-Nisa 4:157. Similarly, partisan superstitions regarding numbers like nine or ten find no basis in the Quran, which praises complete counts An-Naml 27:48, Al-Baqarah 2:196, Al-A'raf 7:142, Al-Fajr 89:1-2.
Life events and disasters: Believing that diseases, natural crises, or personal losses are products of arbitrary bad luck contradicts faith in Allah's sovereign decree Al-An'am 6:17, Al-Baqarah 2:155-157, Al-Baqarah 2:185.

Attributing misfortunes to people

From the paper: «نسبة المصائب إلى أشخاص»

A recurring fallacy among superstitious societies is blaming innocent individuals for communal or personal misfortunes. Whenever tragedy struck, corrupt communities turned upon the most upright people among them, falsely portraying them as walking curses.

This pattern is clear across prophetic history:

The Egyptians under Pharaoh accused Moses and the believers of stripping away their agricultural bounty and peace Al-A'raf 7:131.
The people of Thamud insisted that their troubles were directly caused by Prophet Salih and his righteous companions An-Naml 27:47.
The community visited by messengers asserted that previous towns were never ruined until people like these callers entered them Ya-Sin 36:18-19.
The hypocrites in Medina insinuated that military setbacks were the Prophet's fault An-Nisa 4:78.
Hostile factions in Medina claimed that food prices rose and rainfall dwindled only after the Prophet arrived.

In all these cases, the Quran demonstrates that righteous believers bring blessing and guidance. Calamities are either divinely decreed tests or the natural consequences of the disbelievers' own persistence in sin and defiance, completely disconnected from the presence of righteous people.

Effects of pessimism

From the paper: «آثار التشاؤم»

Pessimism leaves profound psychological, behavioral, and spiritual scars on anyone who indulges it. Internally, the superstitious person suffers from chronic anxiety, distress, a troubled heart, and constant terror over trivial sights or sounds.

Spiritually, it undermines faith, as it contradicts sincere reliance on Allah and induces resentment toward His divine destiny. When someone surrenders to bad omens and abandons their plans, they fall into minor polytheism and open their minds wide to satanic whisperings. Such continuous despair of Allah's mercy can gradually push a person to the brink of disbelief Yusuf 12:87.

Practically, pessimism paralyzes human action. It serves as a hollow excuse for failure, causing individuals to give up striving, miss beneficial opportunities, and abandon productive pursuits. As prophetic guidance reminds us, omens only cause harm to those who fear them and allow themselves to be deterred by them; whoever ignores them and places their trust in Allah remains entirely unharmed.

Remedies for pessimism

From the paper: «علاج التشاؤم»

Islam provides a comprehensive, practical remedy to uproot pessimism and replace it with tranquil faith:

Firm belief in divine decree: Knowing that whatever reaches you could never have missed you, and that everything in creation happens according to Allah's precise measure, brings peace to the heart Al-Qamar 54:49, Al-Furqan 25:2, Al-A'la 87:1-3, At-Taghabun 64:11, Al-Hadid 57:22-23.
Good thoughts of Allah and relying upon Him: Relying sincerely on Allah removes the darkness of omens, for He alone possesses the power to bring benefit and deflect harm At-Talaq 65:3, Ar-Ra'd 13:8, Al-Baqarah 2:195.
Beneficial knowledge: Learning Allah's names, attributes, and religion dispels superstitious ignorance and guides the servant out of darkness into light Al-Mujadilah 58:11, Az-Zumar 39:9, Fatir 35:28, Ta-Ha 20:114, Al-Kahf 18:66, An-Nahl 16:97.
Companionship of optimistic people: Surrounding oneself with righteous, hopeful believers inspires courage, piety, and patience in adversity At-Tawbah 9:119, Al-Kahf 18:28, Al-Furqan 25:27-28, Az-Zukhruf 43:67.
Earnest supplication: Turning to Allah in prayer during ease and distress breaks feelings of vulnerability, especially by reciting the prophetic prayers taught for warding off bad thoughts Al-An'am 6:42-43, Ghafir 40:60.
Cultivating good optimism: Embracing encouraging, wholesome words lifts morale, just as Moses placed his hope in divine deliverance when trapped at the sea Ash-Shu'ara 26:61-62, Ash-Shu'ara 26:63, and the Prophet comforted Abu Bakr with calm assurance in the cave At-Tawbah 9:40, An-Nahl 16:128, Al-Baqarah 2:185, Ash-Sharh 94:5-6.

Takeaways

Never Let Unfounded Fears Halt Your Work
If an uncomfortable thought or an unsettling sight crosses your mind, ignore it and proceed with your task, relying solely on Allah.
Look Inward When Trials Arrive
Instead of seeking scapegoats or blaming people, times, or places for your hardship, examine your own actions and turn back to Allah with repentance.
Adopt Hopeful and Cheerful Speech
Train your tongue to speak words of hope and encouragement, as positive expressions foster good expectations of Allah and strengthen resolve.
Choose Companions Who Radiate Faith
Keep company with believers who maintain good expectations of Allah in hardship, as their optimism will naturally shield you from despair.

Reflect

Are there certain days, numbers, or random occurrences that subtly make you hesitate or dread the future?
When an unexpected setback strikes, is your first instinct to blame external circumstances or to reflect on your own spiritual state and turn to Allah?
How can you actively cultivate better expectations of Allah during times when everything seems to be going wrong?

Go deeper

Linguistic meaning

Linguistically, al-tashā'um comes from the root sh-'-m (misfortune), the opposite of good fortune and blessing. A person deemed unlucky is called mash'ūm, and the word signifies expecting evil or sensing a sign of upcoming dread.

«التشاؤم في اللغة: مصدر شئم، والشؤم: خلاف اليمن، يقال: رجل مشؤوم على قومه، أي: غير مبارك، والجمع مشائيم، وتشاءم القوم به مثل تطيروا به، ويقال: شؤم الدار: ضيقها وسوء جارها، نذير شؤم: علامة وقوع مكروه، ما ينبئ بشر ويبعث على الخوف، والتشاؤم: توقع الشر.»

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 5

Technical meaning

In Islamic terminology, scholar al-Halimi defined it as harboring bad thoughts about Allah without a verified cause. It also means expecting harm based on something seen or heard while falsely imagining it to be an active cause of sorrow or injury.

«عرفه الحليمي: بأنه سوء ظن بالله تعالى بغير سبب محقق.»

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 5

How it differs from related terms

التطير Augury / Seeing Evil Omens: Linguistically rooted in observing the flight and sounds of birds, it evolved into a general term for taking evil omens from any seen, heard, or imagined sign. While pessimism is a general internal psychological state of expecting bad outcomes, augury specifically ties that negative expectation to a perceived external indicator.
التفاؤل Optimism: The direct opposite of evil omens. Optimism arises from good thoughts of Allah and reliance upon Him, whereas pessimism only concerns evil and unpleasant expectations. The Prophet loved optimism, defining it as hearing good, wholesome words that uplift the spirit.
التوكل Reliance on Allah: The heart's sincere dependence on Allah alone to bring benefit and deflect harm while accepting His divine decree. It stands in stark contrast to pessimism, which reflects deep suspicion of Allah's decree and a debilitating reliance on created omens.