Can A Muslim Be Depressed?

By: Sahar El-Nadi

One of my readers, a university student of psychology sent this list of questions

which bother her:

“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 . 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.

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.

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.

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.”

--------------
Sahar El-Nadi Holds a BA in ancient history and culture from Cairo University. She worked in
many people-related careers in parallel, including presenting public events and TV programs;
instructing training courses in communication, thinking skills and cross cultural issues, and
managing multinational e-communities on the internet, with award winning online projects
since 1998.

She is currently a Consultant for IslamOnline.net and ReadingIslam.com, answering questions

about Islamic culture in English. Her work focuses on utilizing interpersonal skills to better
represent local culture in various media channels. In 2006, she created and launched
Don’t Hate, Educate! www.zero-net.net a creative cross-cultural communication project
following the Danish cartoons crisis. As a result, she was selected among the Women Leaders
for the World by the Business School of the University of Santa Clara, California. She’s
married to a Danish Muslim and lives in Cairo, Egypt.