Recite the Quran to combat Depression

Contrary to what people would like to believe, life is not a bed of roses. It’s a journey of pain, disaster, broken heart, loss, despair and helplessness.

Sometimes we fall into the abyss of darkness, which is so deeply consuming that we think we might never come back up. You row your way and try to inflate your hungry lungs, but you’re tired of the constant struggle and eventually, your limbs get stuck. You have been stuck and have no way out alone. In short, this is how depression feels.

Depression doesn’t need a reason to exist, sometimes it’s just there, turning the corner and staring at us. Depression can be completely tiring and exhausting for a person, both mentally and physically.

Depression is not sadness, which is temporary, but depression is long-term-and it is very realistic. However, for those of us who personally face these disheartening demons on a regular basis, there is hope for us to stun them.

Islam has provided believers with the essential tools to combat and recover from depression. The greatest tool is the blessed Holy Quran itself. From a psychological point of view, a strong and healthy attachment to Allah can directly lead to better psychology.

This relationship with Allah must be built through unrelenting trust in Allah. Allah never abandons his followers, and when believers blindly trust Allah, Allah proves to be sufficient for him.

If you feel drowned in depression, recite the Holy Quran more often. Above all, one of the biggest causes of depression and anxiety is fear of the unknown and uncertainty about the future.

Feeling out of control of your situation or events in your life can cause anxiety, despair, and frustration. By reciting the Quran and understanding the words of Allah, you can only improve the situation. Everything that happens to us, no matter how small, is part of the larger and perfect plan our Lord has for us. After all, we have nothing under our control. Why do we need to despair when it’s all in the hands of Allah? In the Quran, Allah says:

فَإِذَا بَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ فَارِقُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ وَأَشْهِدُوا۟ ذَوَىْ عَدْلٍ مِّنكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَـٰدَةَ لِلَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ يُوعَظُ بِهِۦ مَن كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًا

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدْرًا

Meaning: And for those who fear Allah, He always prepares an escape route and supplies them from what they had never imagined. Whoever trusts Allah, Allah is sufficient for him. Allah will surely serve his purpose. Indeed, Allah has set the right proportions for everything. At-Talaq: 2-3

Reading Quran also reminds one of the temporary nature of this life. There is nothing permanent in this world. This world is nothing but a platform of trials and hardships for mankind. It will eventually perish, and a new permanent world, the world of heaven and hell, will emerge. Allah created this world to test us. And Allah will test His loved ones and ask faithful believers to endure these trials with patience and Tawakkal (Faith in Allah’s plans). It is narrated in the Hadith, “The greatest reward comes from the greatest trials. Allah tests them when He loves them most.” Tirmizi 2396

This life is made for hardship, loss and disappointment. By reciting the Holy Quran, our hearts find rest and we remind ourselves of the infinite grace of Allah.

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ

Meaning: No doubt, hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Surah Rad: 28

Allah promises us that we may face endless difficulties in this world, but they will always be followed by ease.

فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

Meaning: So, indeed, every difficulty has a relief. Indeed, with every difficulty, there is a relief. Surah Sharh: 5-6

After all, it is our belief in Allah that can bring us to this world. The important thing is to trust the power of Allah and his infinite wisdom to know what is good and what is not for us. He loves us beyond all means and is waiting for us to depend on Him.

This world and its trials are all for one purpose: to bring us back to him. Allah is afflicting us so that we can find comfort in Him. He just wants his servants to remember and turn to Him so that He doesn’t get lost in this worldly wheel. He wants a person to achieve his creative purpose-to worship, Allah while maintaining a balance between worldly things and religion. We must firmly believe in his providence and control over everything and supply him. He only decides what is best for us.

Ibn Mas’ud reported the great Prophet Muhammad said, “O Allah, I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. My forelock is in your hands, and your command to me is valid, your decision on me is correct. I have portrayed myself, or you have revealed in your book, or you have taught one of your creatures, or you are visible. Call you by each of the beautiful names that want to keep the knowledge of what is not. You are pleased with the Quran in my heart, the light in my heart, get rid of my sorrows and dispel my fears.” Musnad Aḥmad 3704

This serves as a great example of the dua we should advocate for alleviating our mental and soul problems. Islam always has a healing hope. There is nothing impossible for Allah, and there is no abyss that can be reached outside his help. The answer to depression lies in the words of Allah and His endless wisdom: He never leaves you and He is the best planner.

ARR