Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders across the world and its prevalence has increased during the past decades. Sadness, Anxiety, and Depression are different things that can destroy your happiness; eventually, it does not just leave mental scars. Islam values the importance of good mental health and emotional wellbeing. The Quran can be used as a guide to those suffering from emotional distress and aims to lead people to a meaningful quality of life. Allah says:
وَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَا أَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَابْيَضَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْحُزْنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
“And he turned away from them and said, “Alas, my grief over Yusuf!” And became white his eyes from the grief, and he (was) a suppressor.” (Surah Yusuf 12:84)
Depression and anxiety is a situation where the heart feels sad, worthless, desperate and often blames himself. Islam provides Muslims with a code of behaviour, ethics, and social values, which helps them in tolerating and developing adaptive coping strategies to deal with stressful life events. Islam teaches how to live in harmony with others “Seek the life to come by means of what God granted you but do not neglect your rightful share in this world. Do good to others as God has done well to you. Allah says:
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن دَابَّةٍ لَّا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا اللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“How many are the creatures that carry not their sustenance? It is Allah Who feeds them and you, for He hears and knows all things.” (Surah Al-‘Ankabut 29:60)
Life is never a bed of roses. We suffer from heartbreak, pain, and calamity, any of which might drive us to depression. However, at times depression can just be there for no specific reason at all, and when this happens it is imperative that we seek help for it. Allah The Creator of the Universe has revealed The Quran as a guide for mankind till the end of time, giving us a guide to help us through depression. Our success depends on our sincere efforts to the best of our abilities. It is the mercy of Allah that He does not demand results, Alhamdulillah. Allah says:
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَىٰ
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance, then indeed, for him (is) a life straitened and We will gather him (on the) Day (of) the Resurrection blind.” (Surah Ta-Ha 20:124)
Islam gives Muslims a mandate for when something bad is occurring, with the best solution being given as changing the situation with your hands. Sometimes depression is triggered by oppressive relationships, unhealthy work boundaries or negative self-talk; when these types of issues are the cause of depression, we can work towards remedying the situation by addressing the issue head-on in whatever manner we deem most appropriate to our situation.
Here are some ways to Overcome Depression and Anxiety in Islam:
- Anxiety is systematically associated with negative outcomes
- Anxiety does not mean your connection with God is weak
- Anxiety does not mean that you aren’t a good Muslim
- Anxiety is defined as a subjective feeling of tension
- Anxiety feels like being trapped in a constant state
- Allah has spoken about being tested in the Quran
- Allah wants His people to ask for forgiveness
- Allah’s plans are superior depending on Him
- Allah listens to you and your prayers
- Quran is the best way to medicate yourself
- Depression does not attribute everything to the will
- Depression does not connect to a powerful associate
- Depression does not refer to putting your trust in future
- Depression not greater the chances that we try to please
- Depression does not turn to lead to goodness in this world
Depression arises because it is too difficult to solve a problem or get a severe problem, so what we can do is be patient. Islam promotes harmony and believes in a balance or a golden mean. That’s why it preaches harmony and also encourages finding solutions to worldly problems rather than relying just upon the promise of the afterlife. Islam always encourages humans to seek hope even when one has done the worst sins or faced with the deepest troubles as God’s Mercy is always close. people to stay hopeful. Allah says:
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
“Call upon your Lord humbly and privately. Indeed, He (does) not love the transgressors.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:55)
A Muslim must have an optimistic attitude to solve the problem. The optimistic nature possessed by everyone will keep them away from the nature of destruction, depression and stress. The optimistic nature of man can be seen when he has problems will solve it in the hope that there is no negative impact on him. Always try to deal with problems with a positive mind and not think too much about things so that the mind will not be too drained for a bad mind that causes the body to become depressed.
How To Deal With Depression And Anxiety From Islamic Perspective Based From The Holy Quran:
- “Seek help through Sabr and Salat.” (Quran 2:45)
- “If you are grateful, I will give you more.” (Quran 14:7)
- “Call on Me; I will answer your (prayer)…” (Quran 40:60)
- “Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
- “So which of the favours of your Lord would you deny?” (Quran 55:13)
- “When you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah.” (Quran 3: 159)
- “Remember Me, and I shall remember you; be grateful to Me, and deny Me not.” (Quran 2:152)
Sometimes, people have their up and down, and it is common and humanly. Even worse, they had what is called depression, and feel the world is unfair to them. If we were looking deeper, depression means a mental disorder in a person characterized by a declining feeling, such as grim, sad, and depression. The sad name can be lightweight, can be heavy, and can be very heavy to be frantic and unbearable so thrashing. In general, people do not distinguish between depression and stress. Allah says:
وَاصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِي ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ
“And be patient and not (is) your patience but from Allah. And (do) not grieve over them and (do) not be in distress for what they plot.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:127)
The Quran highlights the importance of psychological wellbeing. When our emotional needs are being poorly met, the nafs al-ammara begins to control our feelings, thoughts and behaviours. The Quran provides guidance to learn and practise relaxation exercises to weaken the influence of the nafs al-ammara. The Quran uses a technique called Alif-Lam-Mim for strengthening the nafs. Mindfulness is a modern concept, which emphasises a mental state of awareness, focus and happiness.
There are so many causes of depression, here are the causes of depression:
- Problems of parents, such as the relationships are not good with in-laws and in-laws
- Poor personal relationships, such as with lovers, coworkers, and with superiors
- Marriage issues, such as quarrels, separations, and disloyalty
- Job problems, such as work that is too heavy or difficult to do
- Financial problems, such as income that is very less than the needs
- Family problems, such as the tense relationship between the parents
- Legal issues, such as exposure to lawsuits, imprisonment, and injustice
- Poor or lack of environmental conditions, such as moving shelter, do not match neighbours
And many causes of depression that makes you want to cry or anything, as long as it helps you to release what you feel. But it does not mean that we can not get over it and the problem is stopping right there. It is just how you manage it and find the solution to your problem. As a believer, Islam requires a person to perform obligatory prayers five times a day, from dawn till dusk. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
“O you who believe, eat from the wholesome things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is Him that you worship.” (Surat al-Baqarah 2:172)
The main role of the Imam for this purpose is to provide advice that would be in accordance with the Quranic principles and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Duas are a part of life, and it is the tool that a person uses to make themselves relax by putting their faith in the world of Allah and Allah himself. Science has proved that reciting the Quran normalizes blood pressure and puts you in a soothing state of mind. Furthermore, the Quran is the best way to medicate yourself. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ
“O you who believe! Consciously revere Allah and be with those who are truthful.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:119)
Two concepts in Islam are, Sabr and Shukr. Sabr is a concept of knowing and having full faith in one’s life being completed in the hands of Allah (God). Shukr, additionally, is more than its common definition of appreciation. Instead, Shukr emanates a deep level of gratitude for every positive, every negative and every mundane experience in one’s life. These two concepts together remind us to engage daily in mindfulness practices and ritualistic prayer that allows us to reflect. Allah says:
هُوَ الَّذِي يُرِيكُمُ الْبَرْقَ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَيُنشِئُ السَّحَابَ الثِّقَالَ
“He (is) the One Who shows you the lightning, a fear and hope and brings up the heavy clouds.” (Surah Ar-Rad, 13:11)
As human beings, we must be able to accept all the destiny that has been outlined by Allah SWT, whether it is good destiny or bad fate. If you get bad you do not need to get sucked in grief. Those who believe in fate and believe in Fate will benefit from the pillars of Faith with all things that happen to him will be accepted but if not then his faith is not yet perfect. May Allah keep all of us in his protection and guide us to the path he wants his best man to walk and protect ourselves from all kinds of worries and sadness and make us eligible enough to pass his test. Ameen