Some people, when they are afflicted with distress or hardship, speak about their problem with the intention of alleviating it. Is this considered complaining to other than Allah?

The questioner : This is a message from sisters who are studying in the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University. They say, "We are classmates, and when one of us becomes distressed by studying or by any other matter, she speaks to us about her problems, and we try to alleviate her distress. Is this considered complaining to other than Allah?"

The Shaykh : This is not complaining to other than Allah, but it is informing about a matter in order to conduct consultation and exchange opinions, which is a natural disposition upon which people were created.
Complaining to a creation is when a person intends by his speech or his informing to complain to the creation. As for merely informing to seek an opinion and exchange opinions, there is nothing wrong with it, and it is not complaining.

The questioner : Very well.