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Islamic Solution to Depression

Allah says that He has made life smooth and comfortable for us and yet, we keep complaining about it or we simply ignore this gift and feel left out alone or depressed. Depression and anxiety are two closely related ailments that will afflict many of us at one time or another during our lives. Periods of grief and worry are a normal part of life, which can usually be cured with prayer, patience, and positive thinking. 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.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:172)

Be sincere in your intentions, so that whatever results will be obtained later will not make us depressed. Do this because of Allah and only from Allah, we can get what we want. We should seek our cure for depression and anxiety holistically by addressing its physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects. These symptoms usually occur because there is something wrong, but treatable, in our body, mind, or spirit that needs to be fixed. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“O you who believe! Avoid much of the assumption. Indeed, some assumption (is) sin. And (do) not a spy and (do) not backbite some of you (to) others. Would like one of you to eat (the) flesh (of) his brother, dead? Nay, you would hate it. you consciously revere (Allah) And fear Allah; indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:12)

Praying can be a cure for depression in Islam. For this reason, Allah Almighty ordered Muslims to pray five times a day. If there is one person among Muslims who does not keep his prayer, he cannot enter heaven. The holy book of the Quran is a guideline for human life, especially Muslims. Gathering with brothers or sisters to get closer to Allah Almighty is one of the remedies to overcome the depression of a Muslim. Allah says:

وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا وَجَعَلْنَا اللَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا

“And We made your sleep for rest and the night as a covering.” (Surah Al-Naba 78:9-10)

A believer believes that if Allah brings disaster is a sign that Allah loves His servant. With this disaster, we are tested, to what extent we can take the test given by Allah or not. Also stated in the Quran is that believers (in patience) that get disaster and sadness, their degree will increase beside Allah Almighty.

Here are some ways to overcome depression in Islam:

  1. Islam God never burdens a soul more than it can bear
  2. Islam establishing a support system of a community
  3. Islam reciting the dua for overcoming anxiety
  4. Islam reciting the dua for overcoming anxiety
  5. Islam connect with other as human beings
  6. Islam keep your faith strong and positive
  7. Islam made life smooth and comfortable
  8. Islam beg forgiveness to Allah Almighty
  9. Islam turn to God in all situations
  10. Islam never give up hope
  11. Islam look at those below you
  12. Islam make the Quran your partner
  13. Islam pray for others to heal yourself
  14. Islam serve your fellow human beings
  15. Islam take walks and appreciate nature
  16. Islam spread your hands towards Allah
  17. Islam made life smooth and comfortable
  18. Islam encouraged to be active in their families
  19. Islam taught to seek consultation by others’ decisions
  20. Islam has the best way to thank God to serve humanity

Humans have never escaped from mistakes and sins, for that, we must do repentance and self-reflection, Have I done good deeds in this world? Repent sincerely, with repentance depression that you experience will be released by itself. However, sometimes we unwittingly nurture these negative feelings to the point of developing an anxiety disorder or clinical depression. The Prophet said to me: Allah says:

يَا بُنَيَّ وَذَلِكَ مِنْ سُنَّتِي وَمَنْ أَحْيَا سُنَّتِي فَقَدْ أَحَبَّنِي وَمَنْ أَحَبَّنِي كَانَ مَعِي فِي الْجَنَّة

“My son, that is my tradition and whoever revives my tradition has loved me, and whoever loves me will be with me in Paradise.” (Tirmidhī 2678)

Depression is a situation where the heart feels sad, worthless, desperate and often blames himself. The main cause of depression is usually caused by stress. Stress can arise because there is a problem with family, friends and even romance. If depression and anxiety persist after exhausting these techniques, then medical intervention by a specialist doctor may be necessary. Allah says:

وَلَا تَهِنُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

“And (do) not weaken and (do) not grieve and you (will be) [the] superior, if you are believers.” (Surah Al Imran 3:139)

Overcoming depression and anxiety, when they have a stranglehold over our lives, is a very difficult task. It will take patience, sustained effort, and perseverance to implement a long-term plan for well-being, yet there is hope for healing and a clear path forward in Islam.

How to Deal with Depression and Anxiety According to Quran:

  • And if there should come to you guidance from Me – then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray (in the world) nor suffer (in the Hereafter).” (Quran 20: 123)
  • “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah’s hearts are assured.” (Quran 13: 28)
  • “And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell (rendered) contemptible.” (Quran 40: 60)
  • “ Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward (in the Hereafter) according to the best of what they used to do.” (Quran 16: 97)
  • “And never give up hope of Allah’s soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah’s soothing mercy, except those who have no faith.” (Yusuf 12:87)
  • “And make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction, but do good; for Allah loves those who do good.” (Al-Baqarah 2:195)
  • “So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are (true) believers.” (Quran 3: 139)

Remembering Allah Almighty by doing dhikr is one of the ways in Islam to overcome depression. By doing dhikr all the time, we will be patient. We always think good about Allah Almighty, then here means we believe that Allah is the only God who rules everything in this world. You have to be sure to Allah that all the prayers we offer will surely be rewarded by Allah.

أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ

“No doubt, by the remembrance of Allah’s hearts are assured.” (Surat al-Ra’d 13:28)

Only Allah knows everything better, remembering that all difficulties will come easy later. By adopting healthy habits in our mind, body, and spirit, we can restore the natural balance within us that leads to recovery and prosperity. Allah says:

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ

“And when proclaimed your Lord, “If you are thankful, surely I will increase you; but if you are ungrateful indeed, My punishment (is) surely severe.” (Surah Ibrahim 14: 7)

Give thanks for all the grace of Allah Almighty that has been given by Him every day. With a heart that is always grateful, you will never feel any lack. All the blessings given by Allah Almighty will always be a blessing for us. As a faithful Muslim, don’t ever think that Allah will not grant our prayers. Do not despair and be weak when we pray. Allah has said in one of the verses of the Quran that man is not allowed to despair and be tired in praying.