Islam’s view on Depression
“What does Islam say regarding
self-hatred and self-harm? Does Islam condemn situational depression? What
about clinical depression? What about depression over our limited human
knowledge -our inability to fully understand everything- is it a trust issue
with Allah?”
Actually this is a very interesting
issue, because according to psychological studies, a considerable percentage of
people alive today are subject to some kind of depression, even small children
(http://www.depression-guide.com/depression-statistics.htm ), so it is
important to explore this issue in relation to being better Muslims.
The Islamic system aims to create
balance in a Muslim’s life, by putting life matters into perspective,
rearranging priorities accordingly, and harmonizing all circles of
relationships between the individual and his inner and outer environments:
“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 good to you. Do not seek to spread corruption in
the land, for God does not love those who do this” (Quran, 28:77)
People feel depressed or sad when
this harmonious emotional and hormonal equilibrium is disturbed, in which case
Islam steps in, not to condemn the feeling, but to offer a solution for
regaining psychological and mental balance.
What is Depression?
There is a difference between situational depression (temporary deep distress or sadness) and clinical depression, which is a mental health disorder that can affect the way you work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy pleasurable activities http://mentalhealth.about.com/od/depression/a/depression1.htm .
There is a difference between situational depression (temporary deep distress or sadness) and clinical depression, which is a mental health disorder that can affect the way you work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy pleasurable activities http://mentalhealth.about.com/od/depression/a/depression1.htm .
A depressive disorder is more than a
passing mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness, and it cannot be willed or
wished away, because it’s a change in the chemicals of the brain
(neurochemistry) which trigger a certain mood, and it needs professional help
for treatment.
What causes Depression?
The causes of depression are numerous: genetic, psychological, and environmental factors are often involved. Yet, the relation between the chemistry of your brain and your experience in life is a two-way street: true your brain affects how you handle your life situations, but also the way you solve your problems and handle challenges greatly affect the mood-chemistry of your brain. So people who have low self-esteem, who are consistently pessimistic, who are readily overwhelmed by stress, or who have a severe physical illness are prone to depression.
The causes of depression are numerous: genetic, psychological, and environmental factors are often involved. Yet, the relation between the chemistry of your brain and your experience in life is a two-way street: true your brain affects how you handle your life situations, but also the way you solve your problems and handle challenges greatly affect the mood-chemistry of your brain. So people who have low self-esteem, who are consistently pessimistic, who are readily overwhelmed by stress, or who have a severe physical illness are prone to depression.
Can a Muslim be Depressed?
To become Muslim, you submit your will to God alone and no one else, and you believe and trust that He will take good care of you, no matter what happens, as long as you keep your side of the relationship with Him. You admit your limitations as a human, so you go through life looking ahead positively, worrying only about what’s in your knowledge and ability as a human, and you leave the rest to God’s wisdom.
To become Muslim, you submit your will to God alone and no one else, and you believe and trust that He will take good care of you, no matter what happens, as long as you keep your side of the relationship with Him. You admit your limitations as a human, so you go through life looking ahead positively, worrying only about what’s in your knowledge and ability as a human, and you leave the rest to God’s wisdom.
Existential concerns can cause
serious distress as one tries to understand: why am I here, where am I going,
what’s the point of living if I’m going to die anyway? As a Muslim, you get
affected by life’s troubles and disturbing thoughts like everyone else, but
you’re well equipped to deal with them because you have a clear roadmap of
where you came from, where you’re going and why, so you have a head-start
having this fundamental knowledge from its source. In other words, you’re resistant
to existential emptiness, your focus is on taking control of your life to make
the most of it according to the purpose it was given to you for, and you make
decisions that won't cause you to feel worse in bad times.
Someone who feels completely lost and
alone in the face of a crisis would be hopeless, helpless and depressed, but
someone who constantly feels supported by a compassionate God who genuinely
cares, who listens to desperate pleas, and who grants generous help, has a
better chance of getting back on track much faster because there is a strong
helping hand to reach for while dealing with life’s troubles.
Depression is not condemned in
Islam:
Islam doesn’t require us to be superhuman. If one experiences negative feelings, he is encouraged to resist them with positive thoughts and actions if possible, or to seek professional help if the case is clinical, exactly like any other form of illness.
Islam doesn’t require us to be superhuman. If one experiences negative feelings, he is encouraged to resist them with positive thoughts and actions if possible, or to seek professional help if the case is clinical, exactly like any other form of illness.
We’re required to take charge of our
lives since we’re accountable for our deeds and decisions, both for ourselves
and for others who will be affected. We’re not allowed to hate or harm
ourselves; instead we’re taught dignity, self respect and protection; both as a
right and a duty:
“And
make not your own hands contribute to your destruction; but do good; for Allah
loves those who do good.” (Quran, 2:195)
“Nor
kill or destroy yourselves: for verily Allah has been to you Most Merciful!”
(Quran, 4:29)
Self hatred results from low self
esteem in reaction to feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt. A
Muslim feels dignified and honored because The Creator bestowed upon him
special privileges:
“We
have honored the children of Adam and carried them by land and sea. We have
provided good sustenance for them and favored them specially above many of those
We have created” (Quran, 17:70)
And even if you’ve committed the
worst sins, you always have hope of God’s mercy:
“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.” (Quran, 12:87)
There is no place for despair
because you have confidence in knowing that it’s God Himself who is in charge
of everything, the All Seeing, All Knowing, and All Fair and Wise God:
“And
for those who fear Allah, He always prepares a way out, and He provides for him
from sources he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah,
sufficient is Allah for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose:
verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.” (Quran, 65:
2-3)
You’re certain there is no
impossible situation which has no solution:
“So,
verily, with every difficulty, there is relief: Verily, with every difficulty
there is relief.” (Quran, 94: 5-6)
You also have a simple and effective
prescription against transient grief and anxiety:
(O Allah, I am Your slave, son of
Your slave, son of Your female slave, my forelock is in Your hand, Your command
over me is forever executed and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every
Name belonging to You which You named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book,
or You taught to any of Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge
of the unseen with You, that You make the Qur’an the life of my heart and the
light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my
anxiety)’
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) said: “No person suffers any anxiety or grief, and says (this
supplication) but Allah will take away his sorrow and grief, and give him in
their stead joy.”
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
From the above article, I am
personally happen to be depress for long time ( 20 years). According to doctor’s
diagnosis, I was attacked by acute depression and panic disorder. My daily life
much disorder and I am hopeless to do my daily living activities. I have to
depend on drugs ( alpazolam. zanex ) to able myself continue life as normal
person. However I am fully of depress, anxiety, worry to continue normal life. Event
some time I cannot walk for a long distance ( 200 meters) I am feeling with
head spinning and no confidence to proceed the journey. Thus make my daily
activity too limited and if I am going out from my house has to be accord by my
son.
After 20 years experienced the acute
panic disorder. I manage to heal the illness when I am practicing of worship
activities such as prayer, reciting Quran and donate to the need of poor
people. By praying at the mid night and zikir by reciting “ LAILLA HAILLALLAH’ for ten thousand
times and pray to ask Allah pleasant, the acute panic disorder tremendously get
batter and finally able to cure.. Thanks God Allah.
Starting from that point of times, I
put a daily schedule to pray for certain hours and be closed to God seek for
His forgiveness and pleasant. Now I am happy, and able to continue my daily life
as normal people. I am now completely cure from depression illness. For all the
Muslim brothers and sisters out there, if you happen to be a person with acute
depression, I hope you could try my method of treatment to heal the illness .
InsyAllah your will able to get a batter result and totally cure from the illness
of depression or panic disorder.
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