Islam News Room - Depression in Muslims?

"Have A Nice Day" (how?)

But What If I'm Not Happy?
What Does Islam Say?

ISLAM NEWSROOM DATELINE: "How Muslims Deal with Depression"

We ask Allah to accept from all of us - our prayers, fasting the 6 days this month, charity, sacrifices for His sake and most of all - May Allah grant us success in the Next Life - Ameen.

-------- Remember - Happiness Comes in 'CANS' --------

But - Not everyone is happy!

A sister wrote to us asking for prayers and mentioned being all alone and helpless. She can't be with her husband and lost her job - things look a bit hopeless and she's sad. Even asking Allah to take her life . . .

Eid but sadness and depression
... from a "sad sister in Islam"

Please pray for her and all of our sisters and brothers who are in difficulty in these days.

Here's some advice to myself and all of us when we feel sad, lonely or depressed for any reason -- (from Islam, of course)...

Think about a nice quiet place on a beautiful day with flowers, birds chirping and children laughing.

Now close your eyes and see the sparkle of the sun dancing on the waters near the edge of a small pond.

Listen to your heart and know it is beating for Allah because Allah gave you this heart.

He also gave you life. He gave you a heart, a brain, two eyes, two ears, and most of all He gave you understanding.

You know He created you and gave you so many things - Don't waste a single precious moment of your life.

It will all be over so soon, and we will think, "What happened? Life is too short..."

Did you know -- Our prophet, peace be upon him, was a normal human being and although he was so perfect in many ways, he also went through some of the same things you and I face today.

Did you know Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, at times also suffered from pains and aches just like any of us?

He also felt sad and even depressed sometimes.

What did he do?

How did he handle this?

He taught us what to do and it really helps - If we do it.

Here's one formula for success over depression:

Make wudu - got into the bathroom and clean yourself for prayers
Put on something nice that makes you feel good and happy
Face toward the qiblah (direction of Makkah)
Say "Allahu Akbar!" (Allah is Greater than anything He created)
Place your hands on your chest, right hand over the left hand
Begin the prayer - when you get to the words "Ihdinah siratul mustaqiim" STOP
Just for a brief second wait and realize what you just said, "Ihdinah siratul mustaqiim"
You just asked Almighty God - "Guide us.."
"Guide us to the straight path (that leads to Heaven and Allah)
"The path of those who have the biggest FAVOR of Allah (Paradise)"
"NOT the path of those who have the WRATH of Allah.."
"NOR those who are lost (wandering around trying to make up their own way..."
Then continue your salat until the end
Remember, every time you pray - stop for a second and think what you are saying
Also - know the meaning of the words in Arabic, so you feel it deeper inside your heart (inshallah)

Sometimes women cannot offer their "salat" (this does not mean prayer - it means connected communication with Almighty Allah)

When this happens, you can continue to make supplications and remembrance of Almighty God - Allah.

Try this . .

Yaa Rabbi (O my Lord)! Yaa Rabbi - Yaa Rabbi! Anta Salam (You are THE PEACE), wa minka Salam (and from You comes PEACE), wa Dhul Jalaly wal-Akram (combines glory and beauty, for there is an awesome Glory and Beauty of the Almighty)

The Names of Allah (Subhannah wa Ta'ala)

{Allahu Laa elaha illa hu}

للَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُ
Allah! There is no god except He. (Quran 2:255)

{Wa lellahi ismaa' al-Husnaa faad 'Uhu bihaa wa tharul-latheena yulHiduuna fee}

وَلِلّهِ الأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُواْ الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي

And to Allah belongs the most beautiful Names, so call on Him by them. And leave those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be paid back for what they have been doing. (Quran 7:80)

{Allahu Laa elaaha illa huwa-lahu lismaa'ul Husnaa}

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ
Allah! There is no Allah except Him. His are the most beautiful names. (Quran 20:7)

{Huwa llahu alKhaaliqul-Baaree'ul Musaweru-lahu al'ismaa'u AlHusnaa! Yusabbi-Hu lahu maa fissamaawaati wal'ardhi wa huwal 'Azizul HaKeem}

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of nothing, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (Quran 59:24)