Facing academic failure and the subsequent feelings of regret can be overwhelming, especially when combined with the pressure of family expectations and financial loss. When plans crumble and a student feels trapped by procrastination and poor decisions, it is easy to spiral into hopelessness. However, Islamic guidance offers a path forward rooted in faith, honesty, and seeking appropriate help.

This article addresses how a Muslim student should cope with severe academic setbacks, the trap of “what if,” and the feeling that life has turned “black.”

1. The Trap of “If Only” (Law)

The first step to recovery is to stop looking backward. The student expresses a desire to “turn back time.” In Islam, dwelling on past regrets with the phrase “If only I had done this…” is spiritually destructive.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“…If anything befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such and such,’ rather say, ‘Qaddara Allahu wa ma sha’a fa’ala (Allah has decreed and whatever he wills, He does).’ For (saying) ‘If’ opens (the door) to the deeds of Satan.” (Sahih Muslim 2664)

Regret is useful only if it leads to repentance and change. If it leads to self-hatred and a desire to self-harm, it is from Satan. The delay of three years, the financial loss, and the academic hurdles are part of the Divine Decree (Qadar). Accepting this reality is the foundation of mental peace.

2. Confronting the Procrastination Cycle

The narrative described—making a plan, failing to start, making a new plan, and delaying again—is a classic psychological trap known as the Procrastination Cycle.

This cycle is often driven by a fear of failure or perfectionism, not just laziness. When the workload seems impossible (like medical school), the brain shuts down to protect itself from anxiety.

  • The Solution: One must break the cycle by focusing on the effort, not the result. A Muslim is rewarded for the striving, not just the success.
  • Professional Help: It is highly recommended to seek counseling at the university. This is not just a spiritual issue; it is a study skills and behavioral issue that often requires professional intervention.

3. The Sanctity of Life

The mention of wanting to “kill oneself” is a matter of grave seriousness. No academic failure, financial loss (even 10,000 Euros), or delay is worth the life of a believer.

  • Suicide is Forbidden: It is a major sin in Islam because it is an act of despair in Allah’s mercy.
  • Perspective: Three years of delay seems like an eternity now, but in the span of a lifetime, it is a brief pause. Many successful people faced failures in their youth.

4. Practical Steps Forward

To move from darkness to light, specific actions must be taken:

  • Honesty with Parents: The burden of carrying a lie is often heavier than the burden of the failure itself. Confessing the truth to parents allows for a support system to be rebuilt. It is better to face their temporary anger than to live in perpetual deceit.
  • Re-evaluating the Path: Is medical school the right choice? If the volume of study caused such aversion that the student stopped working entirely, it may be a sign that this field does not align with their strengths.
  • Spiritual Renewal: One should perform Salat al-Tawbah (Prayer of Repentance) for the despair and the lies, and use Du’a to ask Allah for a way out (Makhraja).”…And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out.” (Surah At-Talaq, 65:2)

Conclusion

A student must trust that Allah’s plan is better than their own. Perhaps this delay was necessary to learn humility, to strengthen character, or to avert a greater calamity. The door to success is not closed; it has simply shifted.