Religion and Feelings of Depression
Believing in Allah the Creator provides a sense of purpose and contentedness, while religion gives answers to many of life’s existential questions. Overcoming psychological hardships can be aided by having strong faith in Allah while also receiving sound medical attention, as we are taught to do by the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).
This doesn’t imply that religious people don’t get depressed or that depressed people have weak faith. Depression is a biochemical disorder that can affect anyone regardless of their beliefs.
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Faith can, however, provide coping strategies for dealing with psychological illnesses such as depression.
According to a study published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, “Religious involvement (e.g., service attendance, religious guidance, religious coping) has a protective effect against the incidence and persistence of depressive symptoms and depressive disorders.”
Psychologist Enright says religious involvement can be helpful when treating depression by explaining the meaning of suffering, giving people a sense of purpose and providing hope that depression can end.
In the Qur’an, Allah says, “Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction” (Surat Ar-Ra’d 13:28).
Abdi Sheikh, one of the Imams of Masjid Sunnah in the city of Madison, Wisconsin, says “We believe that everything that happens to us, good or bad, happens for a reason and Allah is testing us. We read the Qur’an and say ‘Who, when disaster strikes them, say, Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him, we will return’” (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:156)
Live with Forgiveness
Forgiveness is another strategy for dealing with depression. According to professor Enright, who has been a leader in the scientific study of forgiveness and its effects since 1985, “Forgiveness therapy is a scientifically supported way that reduces the anger that can eventually fuel or intensify both anxiety and depression.”
He adds, “We have scientific studies showing that, if people forgive and get rid of the anger caused by the pain of being treated unjustly, depression goes down.”
This article is from our archive, originally published at an earlier date.
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