Escaping the Shadow: Why Pain Cannot Be Drowned in Poison

By Hazrat Umer

The Truth About Heartbreak, Hardship, and the Trap of Addiction

We all face moments in life when the world seems to collapse around us. Maybe it’s a business that failed, a dream that shattered, or more commonly in our society, a heart that was broken by someone we loved. In those dark hours, the pain is so heavy that you feel you cannot breathe. Your chest aches, your mind won't stop racing, and all you want is for the world to go silent for just a moment.

This is the crossroads where many people make a life-changing mistake. They look for a "shortcut" to peace. They see others using alcohol, drugs, or other substances, and they hear the lie: "Just one sip, just one puff, and you will forget your pain." But as someone who has seen the reality of life, I want to tell you: You cannot drown your sorrows in poison, because sorrows know how to swim.

The Illusion of Relief

I have seen young men, full of potential, turn into shadows of themselves because they couldn't handle a "No" in love or a "Loss" in career. They start with a little bit of alcohol or "Chars" (Hashish), thinking it’s just for one night. They call it an "escape."

For a few hours, the brain goes numb. The pain feels far away. But what happens the next morning? The sun rises, the headache starts, and the original pain is still there, waiting for you. Only now, you are weaker. Now, you have a new problem: the craving for that numbness again.

This is not an escape; it is a trap. It is like trying to put out a fire by pouring petrol on it. You might hide the flames for a second, but you are creating a bigger explosion for tomorrow.

The Crime Against the Self

In my view, turning to drugs because of a tragedy is not just a mistake—it is a crime against your own life. Your life is a gift, and your body is a trust given to you by your Creator. When you choose drugs, you are telling yourself that you are not strong enough to face reality. You are giving up your dignity for a few hours of artificial sleep.

Think about the parents who raised you. Think about the future version of you that is waiting to be successful. When you pick up that bottle or that cigarette of Chars, you are killing those dreams. Addiction doesn't just destroy your lungs or your liver; it destroys your character, your reputation in the community, and your connection with Allah.

Facing the Storm with "Sabr"

Life is meant to be hard sometimes. Hardship is the fire that turns iron into steel. If we never felt pain, we would never grow.

When you lose a love or face a tragedy, the "human" way to handle it is to cry, to pray, and to talk to a true friend. It is to bow down in Sajda and tell Allah, "I am hurting, give me strength." This is what we call Sabr (Patience). Sabr is not just waiting; it is staying strong while you wait for the storm to pass.

I have faced my own struggles—fifteen years of waiting for a child, battles with anxiety, and moments of deep sadness. If I had chosen drugs in 2011, I wouldn't be standing here in 2026 as a recovered and peaceful man. I chose to face the pain, and that is what made me a man of character.

The Broken Heart is a Door

To those who are suffering from a broken heart: Please understand that one person leaving your life is not the end of the world. It is a sign that something else, something better, is meant for you. Using drugs to forget a person is like burning your whole house down just because one lightbulb broke.

The person you are trying to forget is living their life. They are eating, sleeping, and moving ahead. Why should you destroy your health and your future for someone who is no longer there? The best revenge, and the best healing, is to become the most successful and healthy version of yourself.

A Message to the Youth

My brothers and sisters, addiction is a "slow poison." It takes away your money, then your health, then your family, and finally your faith.

If you are hurting today, please reach out for real help. Talk to an elder, see a doctor, or find peace in your prayers. Do not let a temporary feeling lead to a permanent tragedy. The "fruit of patience" is sweet, but the "fruit of addiction" is only bitterness and regret.

Conclusion: You are Stronger Than You Think

We need to change the story in our society. We need to stop making "tragic heroes" out of people who use drugs to handle heartbreak. A real hero is the one who looks at pain in the eye and says, "You may hurt me, but you will not break me."

My name is Hazrat Umer, and I believe in the strength of the human spirit. Your life is far more valuable than any chemical. Choose life, choose health, and choose the path of courage. The pain will fade, but the damage of addiction stays. Stay clean, stay strong.