Depression Is Not A Sign Of Weak Faith

Depression – a Sign of Weak faith – ضعف الإيمان?

Prophet Yusuf went missing, and Allah said about the grief of his father Prophet Ya’qoob:

وَقَالَ يَا أَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَابْيَضَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْحُزْنِ
“AND HE SAID:
“OH, MY SORROW OVER YUSUF!”
HIS EYES BECAME WHITE FROM SADNESS.”
[Qur’an 12:84].

Did Prophet Ya’qoob lack faith?
Did he lack faith in Destiny?
Did he lack trust in God?
Did he lack certainty?

No!

Nowadays, when a person suffers from depression or mental illnesses, some people tell them to become more religious and it will all go away …

The truth is: these are human emotions and are NOT necessarily a sign of weak faith.

When our Prophet’s son Ibrahim died, he also cried and said:

إِنَّ الْعَيْنَ تَدْمَعُ وَالْقَلْبَ يَحْزَنُ وَلَا نَقُولُ إِلَّا مَا يَرْضَى رَبُّنَا وَإِنَّا بِفِرَاقِكَ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ لَمَحْزُونُونَ
“THE EYES SHED TEARS AND THE HEART IS GRIEVED,
BUT WE WILL NOT SAY ANYTHING EXCEPT WHAT IS PLEASING TO OUR LORD.
WE ARE SADDENED BY YOUR DEPARTURE, O IBRAHIM.”
[Sahih Bukhari, 1241].

The Prophet also cried when he visited the grave of his mother and also when the Sahaba were martyred.

Did the Prophet lack faith in God’s destiny?

No, these were Prophets … their faith was stronger than mountains – but grief/sadness is a normal human emotion.

People should seek God’s help – like the Prophets did – but also seek medical help if its available – like they would with any other illness.

When someone has cancer, you also don’t tell them to restrict themselves to strengthening their faith!

No, they should ALSO seek medical help alongside seeking God’s help – because we live in a world of means.

Allaahu A’alam