Humans have never escaped from mistakes and sins, for that, we must do repentance and self-reflection. 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. Praying can be a cure for depression in Islam. Quran is a guideline for human life, especially for Muslims. Gathering with brothers or sisters to get closer to Allah is one of the remedies to overcome the depression of a Muslim. 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)
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. We all have good days and bad days. Many factors can influence our daily mood. On a “good” day, we feel confident, we have a positive outlook on things, we feel capable of facing challenges, we are productive and we can more easily turn someone else’s frown upside down. 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)
Allah 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. The Quran highlights the importance of psychological wellbeing.
Here are some things you can do to lift your mood and feel happier:
- Islam has the best way to thank God to serve humanity
- Islam established a support system for a community
- Islam promotes harmony and believes in a balance
- Islam reciting the dua for overcoming anxiety
- Islam connect with other as human beings
- Islam keeps your faith strong and positive
- Islam made life smooth and comfortable
- Islam beg forgiveness to Allah Almighty
- Islam makes the Quran your partner
- Islam turns to God in all situations
- Islam prays for others to heal yourself
- Islam serves your fellow human beings
- Islam spread your hands towards Allah
- Islam made life smooth and comfortable
- Islam takes walks and appreciates nature
- Islam removes the barriers to feeling better
- Islam finds ways to reduce your stress levels
- Islam encouraged to be active in their families
- Islam tries to avoid things that you feel worse afterwards
- Islam taught us to seek consultation with others’ decisions
Islam gives Muslims a mandate for when something bad is occurring, with the best solution being given as changing the situation with your hands. Almost everybody wants to achieve a “good mood,” whether that be in the moment or an overall sense of happiness and fulfilment. Countless factors we experience every day influence our moods, such as diet, physical activity, sleep, weather, season, social well-being, posture and financial stability. 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)
We always think good about Allah, 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. On a “bad” day, however, things seem bleak: we isolate ourselves from others, we are irritable, we are pessimistic and negative and usually don’t feel like accomplishing much.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran for improving our mood:
- “Seek help through Sabr and Salat.” (Quran 2:45)
- “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)
Give thanks for all the grace of Allah 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 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 is tired in praying0 The Quran provides guidance to learn and practise relaxation exercises to weaken the influence of the nafs al-ammara.
Here are some practical ways to enhance your mood:
- Making a friendly smile is a great way to improve your day
- Make some time, each day to tidy your environment
- Set up a reward system for yourself to encourage
- Quran is the best way to medicate yourself
- Don’t get upset yourself in multi-tasking
- Tackle your work in order, one at a time
- Make sure you get enough sleep
- Smile at the first stranger you see
- Create a to-do list for yourself each day
- Taking steps to improve physical health
- Done your best effort and relax in your boundaries
- Set a timer to focus on a task and allow yourself a break
- Allowing yourself to focus only on what it is you are watching
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 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. 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:
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)
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. 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.
