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I’m on Antidepressants & Unable to Pray Regularly

16 May, 2023
Q I'm on antidepressants for past 12 years ...long history of psychiatric illness...for almost 22 years now. I had a broken marriage. I am unable to pray regularly. Should I stop the medicines? I once prayed regularly for 40 days in my life ...The inconsistencies in the interpretation of Islam ..couldn't just agree with many of the things the local imams say ...so I started studying the translated version of Quran (authentic) and started praying alone ..it eased most of my pain…But I'm different from many orthodox Muslims...I just don't agree with what all they say ..I tend to correlate it with Quran and the spirit of Quran ...rather than taking them literally ..The prayer in which I pray alone sometimes takes up to 45 minutes just to complete 2 rakas. But I feel confident and live my life productively…I'm now happily married with a good wife and have 2 children. but I'm not able to pray regularly…It makes me guilty ...I just want to live a life which is in the good books of Allah...not anything else ..I've been jailed by my ex father-in-law during the divorce proceedings ....kindly help me ..should I get rid of the medications?

Answer

If you follow the Quran and the Sunnah about the etiquette of prayer, do not worry; what you do should be alright.

The important thing is to keep praying. There is no problem if, for you, it takes a bit longer.

If completing it 5 times a day all of a sudden seems like a difficult task, try to build up your routine gradually. Set the goal of reaching the 5 daily prayers and work on that at your own pace.

Start doing 2, for example, during a week or two, then add one more, and then another, and so on.

You need to consult your psychiatrist about leaving or keeping medication.

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You may feel that you do not need it anymore because you are feeling well. But leaving it without consultation could lead to a relapse.

Click on the full advice here.

Read more from Sr. Aisha:

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About Aisha Mohammad
Aisha has a PhD in psychology, an MS in public health and a PsyD. Aisha worked as a Counselor/Psychologist for 12 years at Geneva B. Scruggs Community Health Care Center in New York. She has worked with clients with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, trauma, and OCD. She also facilitated support groups and provided specialized services for victims of domestic violence, HIV positive individuals, as well youth/teen issues. Aisha is certified in Mindfulness, Trauma Informed Care, Behavioral Management, Restorative Justice/ Healing Circles, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Confidentiality & Security. Aisha is also a Certified Life Coach, and Relationship Workshop facilitator. Aisha has a part-time Life Coaching practice in which she integrates the educational concepts of stress reduction, mindfulness, introspection, empowerment, self love and acceptance and spirituality to create a holistic healing journey for clients. Aisha is also a part of several organizations that advocates for prisoner rights/reentry, social & food justice, as well as advocating for an end to oppression & racism. In her spare time, Aisha enjoys her family, photography, nature, martial arts classes, Islamic studies, volunteering/charity work, as well as working on her book and spoken word projects.