The best way to cope with depression

Question

Name Mrs Shahnaz from. London Aslam Al kum brother I am asking questions about depression what is the best way to help

— Mrs Shahnaz, London

Answer

Wa `Alaykum al-Salām.

Depression is usually caused by excess thought towards events of the past, whereas anxiety is usually the result of excess thought towards the future. These excess thoughts are types of waswasah, which are whispers of the Shayṭān. The Shayṭān implants these worries and doubts in the heart and keeps making them resurface, leading to depression and/or anxiety. He uses this tool of waswasah to steer a believer away from his faith in the power of Allāh. However, it is imperative for a believer to remain steadfast in the conviction that the past and the future are entirely within the domain of Allah Ta`ālā, and we hold no control over these aspects of life. Simply recalling this belief is sufficient to assist in overcoming the depression or anxiety one may be experiencing. For this reason, my shaykh, Sayyidunā Tāj al-Sharī`ah advised those who suffer from anxiety or depression to continuously recite durūd and,

لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ

“There is no power and there is no strength except with Allāh, the Exalted, the Almighty.”

It is mentioned in a Ḥadīth:

وإن أصابك شىء فلا تقل لو أنّي فعلت كان كذا وكذا ولكن قل قدر الله وما شاء فعل فإنّ لو تفتح عمل الشّيطان

“And if anything (i.e., any adversity) reaches you, then do not say, ‘If only I had done [so and so], it would have been so and so.’ Rather, say, ‘Allāh ordained and He did what He willed,’ for indeed, ‘if’ allows the work of the Shayṭān.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]

Therefore, during times of depression, reassure yourself that the doubts and worries that arise are the whispers of the Shayṭān. To protect yourself from the whispers of the Shayṭān, strengthen your connection with Allāh by refraining from sins and reciting Qur’ān, dhikr, and durūd abundantly, as this closes every possible way for the Shayṭān to disrupt the inner peace.

It is mentioned in the Holy Qur’ān:

وإمّا ينزغنّك من الشّيطن نزغ فاستعذ بالله إنّه سميع عليم

“And [O listener!] If you suffer from an attack of the Shayṭān, then seek refuge in Allāh. Undoubtedly, it is He who is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” [Sūrah al-‘A`rāf, 200]

In addition to this, after every prayer of the five daily prayers, place the right hand on the forehead & recite:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِيْ لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الرَّحْمٰنُ الرَّحِيْمُ اَللّٰهُمَّ أَذْهِبْ عَنِّى الْهَمَّ وَالْحُزْنَ

“Allāh’s name to begin with, who there is none worthy of worship except Him, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind. O Allāh! Remove from me any anxiety and depression.”

This is a du`ā from a ḥadīth found in al-Mu`jam al-‘Awsaṭ and was prescribed by Sayyidī ‘A`lā Ḥaḍrat in al-Waẓīfah al-Karīmah, but the noble ‘Imām would also add these words to the du`ā:

وَ عَنْ أَهْلِ السُّنَّةِ

“... and from the entire ‘Ahl al-Sunnah.” [al-Waẓīfah al-Karīmah]

And Allāh Ta`ālā knows best.

Faqīrah Ṭayyibah al-Qādirīyah · (may she be forgiven) · Ramaḍān 10, 1445 AH

Verified by Muftī Zāhid Ḥussain al-Qādirī