Depression & Some Spiritual Cures
Written By ‘Ammar Diwan as a Monthly Reflection for March 2008
As human beings, we all experience periods of depression in our lives. Whether it be poor grades in school or disagreements with one’s friends, several challenges come our way that cause us to feel helpless and depressed. Several moments in my life have made me reflect on what the best method to cure depression is. I know a few of my fellow students at school who are using anti-depressants attempting to “cure the disease”. I even met someone who felt that alcohol was the best way to get rid of depression.
My firm conviction is that the above methods are not only temporary, but severely weak. The fact is anti-depressants treat the effects of a truly chronic disorder; spiritual weakness. Treating the result of weak spiritual drive will not cure the cause.
Allah (swt) tells us:
“Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” [Qur'an, 13.28]
Ultimately, the ruh (soul) is where depression stems from. Our spiritual condition has a direct impact on our mental and physical health.
Therefore, it is only natural that the best method to cure depression will be through the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah.
Many of us have heard time and time again that dhikr will cure all our problems and yet, have reacted without enthusiasm and without trust that this is in fact true. We should be weary of such a negative attitude, for Allah says:
فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أُوْلَئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ
“Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah . Such are in plain error.”
We should all ask ourselves if we really have been implementing dhikr as we should?
As Shaykh Faraz Rabbani put beautifully:
“In general, the remembrance of Allah drowns sorrows: when the light of the Infinite shines on our hearts, the shadows of finite concerns scatter.”
Scholars have recommended a number of things in order to solve the issue of depression:
- Reading and reciting the Qur’an regularly. The optimal amount is close to a juz (one thirtieth). However, scholars say that even a page or two recited regularly will have a significant impact against depression. If one doesn’t understand Arabic, it is also beneficial to read the translation of what one is reading.
- Surat Ya-Sin in particular is beneficial against depression. It should be recited as regularly as possible.
- Sending blessings upon the Prophet (pbuh). There are a number of different ways to do this. One of them is saying: Allahumma Salli `ala Muhammadin wa`ala Ali Muhammadin wa Sallim. One can say this as many times as one wants, preferably more than 100 times each day, although one does what one can sustain.
- One particularly effective method for curing depression is the famous Salat al-Tibbiyya:
اللهُمّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍطِبِّ القُلُوبِ وَدَوائِهاوَنُورِ الأَبْصَارِ وَضِيَائِهَاوَعَافِيَةِ الأَبْدَانِ وَ شِفَائِهَاوَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلِّمْ
Allahumma Salli `ala Sayyidina Muhammadin
Tibbil qulubi wa dawaa’iha
Wa nuril absari wa diya’iha
Wa `afiyatil abdaani wa shifaa’ha
Wa `ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Sallim.
O Lord! Send blessings on our master Muhammad,
The medicine of hearts and their cure,
The light of eyes and their illumination,
The health of bodies and their healing,
And upon his family, companions, and send peace.
This is said regularly and with as much presence of heart as possible. It is also very essential to be consistent in reading one’s daily prayers. Consistently praying 5 times a day on time with presence of heart is one of the best medicines against depression. The most important thing is to be consistent and take on what one can sustain.
And Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, who has given us the means to reach Him, and to find satisfaction therein.
9 Responses to “Depression & Some Spiritual Cures”
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Salam,
Is that you or just some other guy with the same name?
From SF right?
Wa alaykum as-salaam Brother loveProphet,
Yes, I’m the same person
BismillaharRahmanirRahim
as-salaamu ‘alaikum, These formulas are usually incorporated into the daily wird of the AwliyaAllah. Therefore it may prove a beneficial practice to pick-up as it will surely provide cures for a number of disease and Allah Almighty knows best.
-Saifuddin
Am I sinful for being depressed?
No just human. Work on finding the good in things.
Take depression in stride, a means of getting closer to Allah, why do we wish to not experience the full range of emotions Allah has bestowed upon us ? Do not try to escape it, you may not feel like this again in your life, these are moments which shape people, bring their vaunted attributes to high relief. Some of the best people I have met in my life were souls who cherised depression. Channel your depression as a form of motivation towards getting closer to Allah.
Thank-You, Thank-You, Thank-You, THANK-YOU! May Allah bless you, and help everyone who comes across this page with their endeavours in curing depression and finding happiness in Islam. Djazakallah
Salaam brother I trust this message finds you well, can you please send me methods of thikr which is sunnah and helps to attain spirituallity in islam and to get closer to allah
http://www.shadhiliteachings.com