How to Release Depression in Islam

In Islam, overcoming depression is deeply connected to faith and spiritual practices. The teachings of Islam offer a holistic approach that combines reliance on Allah, consistent prayer (Salah), and remembrance of Allah (Zikr) to alleviate mental distress. Trusting in Allah’s wisdom and turning to Him in moments of hardship provides comfort and strength. The Quran and Sunnah provide numerous duas (supplications) for peace of mind, encouraging believers to remain patient, practice gratitude, and maintain hope. These practices serve as powerful tools for releasing depression and finding tranquility in one’s heart.

release depression by trusting Allah’s Wisdom

Having faith in Allah’s power and wisdom is crucial for alleviating mental stress and anxiety. Trusting Allah’s decisions and believing that everything has a divine wisdom—even if it may seem unfavorable—can be beneficial for us, as Allah knows better than we do. This mindset reduces mental burdens.

As Allah says in the Quran:

وَعَسَى أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَى أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
(سورة البقرة: 216)
“And perhaps you hate a thing while it is good for you, and perhaps you love a thing while it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you do not know.”

This verse reminds us that accepting Allah’s wisdom and trusting in His plans can be an important means of relief from stress and depression.

Contemplate the power of Allah, who orchestrates the entire universe. Reflect on how He arranges the seeds so perfectly within a single pomegranate and how He designs the clusters of grapes with such precision. If He can bring such order to these creations, surely He is capable of bringing harmony and balance to your life as well. Trust in His mercy, for indeed, Allah has said

In the Quran,

إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
(سورة الانشراح: 6)
“Indeed, with every difficulty, there is ease.”

This assurance that Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity is expressed in:

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
(سورة البقرة: 286)
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”

These verses provide comfort to the mind and enhance patience. They remind us that challenges are often accompanied by relief and encourage us to maintain faith and resilience in difficult times.

The Power of Remembrance (ذِكْر)

Spending time in the remembrance of Allah is one of the best remedies for anxiety and sorrow. The Quran states:

أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
(سورة الرعد: 28)
“Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.”

ذِكْر (Zikr) is an essential practice in Islamic spirituality that involves reciting phrases to glorify Allah, fostering peace in the heart and mind. Common forms include “سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ” (Glory be to Allah), “الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ” (Alhamdulillah – All praise is for Allah), and “اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ” (Allah is the Greatest). These sincere recitations strengthen one’s connection with Allah. Other important phrases include “لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ” (There is no god but Allah) and “أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ” (I seek forgiveness from Allah).

The phrase “لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ” (There is no power and no strength except with Allah) emphasizes reliance on Allah’s strength. Engaging in ذِكْر not only brings spiritual rewards but also instills tranquility and strengthens faith.

It is essential to recite Darood Sharif (blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ). Doing so not only brings blessings and mercy upon the reciter but also fosters a deep spiritual connection with the Prophet ﷺ. Regularly sending blessings upon him is a practice that enriches one’s faith and brings peace to the heart.

قالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
“مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرًا”
“Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him ten times.” — [Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 408]

This Hadith shows the immense reward of sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, where Allah responds by showering multiple blessings in return, bringing peace, mercy, and relief from difficulties.

The Importance of Prayer (Salah)

Similarly, prayer (Salah) is an act of worship that brings a servant closer to their Lord. Prayer serves as a direct connection with Allah. Whenever the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) faced difficulties, he would immediately turn to prayer, saying:

يَا بِلَالُ، أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ، فَإِنَّا نَسْتَرِيحُ بِهَا
(سنن أبو داود)
“O Bilal! Call for the prayer so that we may find comfort in it.”

Prayer provides spiritual, mental, and emotional peace and is a means of relief from worldly pressures.

Dua for stress

When distress strikes, turning to Allah through supplication can be incredibly soothing. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) shared specific dua for moments of sorrow and stress. One such dua is:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْحُزْنِ وَالْهَمِّ…
(صحيح بخاري)
“O Allah! I seek refuge in You from grief and anxiety…”

These heartfelt supplications not only provide comfort but also lighten the burdens we carry in our hearts.

The Value of Patience and Gratitude

In Islam, patience and gratitude hold immense significance. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) beautifully articulated this when he said:

عَجَبًا لأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ! إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ، إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ، فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ، فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُ
(صحيح مسلم)
“The affair of the believer is amazing! All of his affairs are good for him. If he is blessed with happiness, he is grateful to Allah, and that is good for him. If he is afflicted with a hardship, he has patience, which is good for him.”

The Healing Power of the Quran

The Quran serves as a profound source of comfort and guidance. Engaging in its recitation and reflecting on its teachings can bring deep inner peace. As stated in the Quran:

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
(سورة الإسراء: 82)
“And We send down in the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers.”

This reminder highlights the Quran’s role in soothing our hearts and minds.

Acceptance of Destiny

Lastly, understanding and accepting the concept of destiny is vital in a believer’s life. Recognizing that everything unfolds by Allah’s command can help alleviate feelings of regret or loss. The Quran states:

مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ
(سورة التغابن: 11)
“No calamity befalls except by permission of Allah, and whoever believes in Allah—He will guide his heart.so by weaving together strong faith, supplication, patience, gratitude, and community support, we can navigate through the challenges of stress and anxiety with resilience and hope.