First published on: How To Deal With Depression: The Islamic Way


 The Muslim Society Health in Islam Hasnaa Heikal

Life in this world is of trials and tests, and is a bridge to the Hereafter. Even the lives of the Prophets, were never free of troubles.


The Islamic system aims at creating a balance in a Muslim’s life, by harmonizing all the circles of relationships between the individual and his inner and outer environments.


In this article we will discuss the Islamic way to deal with depression.

The View of Muslim at Difficulties


– Islam teaches us that we should put a goal, and focus it in our life till we come after this life. So the worldly life we live is temporary, and the Hereafter is the true life in which there is no sadness. Most of our problems of this life lose their importance in our lives, and subsequently lose their power of having negative impact on us.


The hardships should not be the main concern of the Muslim, nor stop him from focusing.

And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter – that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew [quran.com/29/64]

A Human being is strong enough to face the troubles he goes through, and no one is burdened with difficulties he can not bear.

Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.[quran.com/2/286]

With Difficulty, Comes Ease


– Life is one difficulty after another, one task after another. Islam teaches us: while life tests us, there is ease after hardship. Tough times only mean: the times of ease are near.

Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease. [quran.com/65/7]

Indeed, with hardship [will be]ease. [quran.com/94/6]

– It is not the events that cause happiness or depression, but it is our inner reflection of events that cause that.

The Islam teaches us to remember the blessings of Allah to realize that His afflictions are nothing compared to His blessings.

The Help of Allah is Near:


“Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said,”When is the help of Allah ?” Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.” [quran.com/2/214]

– There is good from Allah for him in everything:


The prophet (PBUH) said: “Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.” [Sahih Muslim]

There is Good in What Seems Bad to you


Perhaps it is a good time to turn to the One Who controls everything. It can give a person the ability to see the positive in the overwhelmingly negative situation.

Also, there must be good in what you are going through We may not understand that today, but if you look at our past situations in life, you will see how the hard times made us grow.

But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not. [quran.com/2/216]

Finally but not final,

Submit your will to God alone, and trust that He will take good care of you whatever 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.