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Depression is a leading mental disorder. According to the World Health Organization, the annual global economic impact of depression is estimated at 1 trillion and is projected to be the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of disease by 2020. Depression is a disorder that affects every aspect of a person’s life, the way they sleep, eat, think, move and the way they use language.

Smeltzer, et al. (2010), defined depression as “a state in which a person feels sad, distressed and hopeless with little or no energy for normal activities.” WHO (2017) has defined depression as a pathological state that is associated with feelings of loss or guilt and characterized due to sadness, lowering of self-esteem, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration.

According to psychological studies, a huge percentage of people living today are suffering from depression. Being a Muslim we must need to find out the reasons of having depression or anxiety in people, as Allah says multiple times in Quran to see things critically and you’ll find the true reasons behind. Islam is always for knowledge, so reasoning or “whys” are for the purpose of gaining knowledge and getting closer to the truth. Allah says in Quran in Surah An-Nahl, verse 44:

“[We sent them] with clear proofs and written ordinances. And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought”.

The above verse shows that there are reasons behind everything. So, in order to find the cure of any problem we must first need to explore the actual problem and this could only happen by critically evaluating ourselves first of all, and then the people around us who are suffering from problems like depression.

Depression is the feeling of guilt and loss, and guilt is the most important cause behind sins. Sins are the major factor of unhappiness which ultimately leads to depression. When people commit sin, they naturally feel guilt that causes stress, depression and anxiety. This depression may sometimes lead them to repent to Allah and sometimes spoil even more in sins. Allah says in Quran in Surah Taha, verse 124:

“And whoever turns away from My remembrance- indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind”.

Mild mood disturbance or borderline depression is a normal thing which can be cured with prayer and positive thinking. But people who are having severe mental health problems or extreme depression are needed to look in this issue in the light of Quran because there is hope in Islam to overcome these symptoms. Allah says in Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 257:

“Allah is the protector of those who have faith He will lead them from the depths of darkness into light. As for those who disbelieve, their patrons are devils: from the light, they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be the companions of the fire, to dwell therein forever”.

We must need to keep faith in Allah and to trust Him no matter what we are going through. Some couple of steps that can help to deal with depression and anxiety are:

Dua can lower the level of depression, do ask Allah what you want and tell Him what you are going through. Allah Almighty already knows the conditions of a person still He wants you to ask Him for what you want. Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) said “Allah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything (Tirmidhi)”.

Reading Surah Ad Duhaa can help to deal with depression. According to many reports this surah was revealed after a long pause of revelations. At one point in time during the process of revelation a long period passed having no such communication of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) from Allah. As a result, people of Mecca started humiliating Prophet and he became severely depressed due to these circumstances. This surah was revealed at that time by Allah. Surah Ad Duhaa is a beautiful revelation which helps us to see life in the greater pattern of things. It tells us to be grateful for what we have and to never give up striving for what is right.

Offering Salah is one of the major preventions of depression. Those who keep their prayers on time and pray in a right way as Muslims are told in Islam then they will never get depression. Because Muslims pray with the intention to connect with their Creator Who is indeed able to get His servants out through such difficulties. Allah says in Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 153:

“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient”.

Recitation of Holy Quran brings a lot of peace and comfort to a person because it is the best form of guidance of every kind of problem and is also the best way to remember Allah. Our Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) said,

“Quran is the best remedy for the illness of the soul (Sahih Bukhari)”.

Rely on Allah Almighty (Tawakal) by constantly remembering Him. Once you established a plan, you must be satisfied enough that whatever will be the result it would better for me because somehow Allah has planned this for me and He knows better than us. Allah says in Quran in Surah Al-Imran, verse 159:

“When you have taken a decision put your trust in Allah”.

Procrastination would also lead to the stress because a person may have an anxiety due to not completing his work and which was due to the laziness. The Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) used to seek refuge in Allah from laziness.

Allah helps those who believe in Him.