Is Depression a Sign of Weak Faith?

Is depression a sign of weak faith?

In the name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, his family, his companions, and those who follow him.

Allah, the Exalted, created humans and instilled in them a variety of instincts and natures. These are influenced by the subtle elements of the soul, the self, the heart, and the intellect, each with its own states, ranks, and types. For instance, the self is divided into four types: the reproachful self, the content self, the pleasing self, and the tranquil self. So, glory be to the Great Creator.

The human soul is affected by external and internal factors. For example, when praised, it feels happy and elated, possibly becoming arrogant and inflated; when insulted, it feels diminished, perhaps leading to depression and introversion. Another internal factor is neglecting the remembrance of Allah (Most High), influenced by the satanic element mentioned in the hadith:

“Satan runs through the son of Adam as blood runs in his veins.” [Abu Dawud]

In the hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him): the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“When any one of you sleeps, Satan ties three knots at the back of his neck. He recites this incantation at every knot: ‘You have a long night, so sleep.’ If he awakes and remembers Allah, one knot is loosened. If he performs Wudu, the (second) knot is loosened; and if he performs prayer, (all) knots are loosened. He begins his morning in a happy and refreshed mood; otherwise, he gets up in bad spirits and a sluggish state.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Zakariya Ansari said: “The back of the head is its rear, and the back of anything is its end. The back is specified here because, according to philosophers, it’s the place of imagination and its activities. It is the most obedient to Satan and responds quickly to his call.” [Ansari, Minhat al-Bari]

Sindi said: “The specification of three knots might be to prevent each knot from one of the three things, namely remembrance, ablution, and prayer.” [Sindhi, Hashiyat al-Sindhi ‘ala Sunan Ibn Maja]

Hafiz Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said: “As for Satan’s knotting at the back of the head of the son of Adam when he sleeps, its mechanism cannot be comprehended, and it’s likely a metaphor for the type of Satan and his discouragement of humans from night vigil and righteous deeds. Some said: It’s like the knots of magic, as Allah (Most High) said: ‘And from the evil of those (witches casting spells by) blowing onto knots.’ [Quran, 113:4] This hadith indicates that the remembrance of Allah (Most High) drives away Satan with recitation, remembrance, and adhan, which is agreed upon as known.” [Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, al-Istizkar]

From this noble hadith and others, it is clear that remembering Allah (Most High) dispels Satan’s whispering and discouragement from worship, and undoes the knots Satan ties at the back of the human head when he neglects remembering Allah upon waking. This leads us to say:

Depression does not find its way to the heart of a believer filled with the remembrance of Allah and occupied with His worship, as there is no time for him to listen to Satan’s whisperings and his followers, being busy with his daily and nightly duties.

Therefore, we know that depression has causes:

Some are due to neglect of remembering Allah (Most High) in all circumstances, which leads to Satan’s dominance over the human heart, casting whispers, delusions, and vile thoughts.

Others are worldly, like life events that affect all people, such as death, sorrow, calamities, and losses in wealth and lives. These affect the souls, but a Muslim knows they are the decrees of Allah, so he submits to Allah’s decree and does not panic, as panic only causes exhaustion and distress in his heart and body.

Depression is not necessarily a sign of weak faith; it may affect a believing, certain believer due to a temporary weakness or breakage. However, a believer quickly awakens and shakes off that transient condition. A person of weak faith may despair and sink deeper into depression, causing exhaustion to himself and those around him. The cure is to remind him of the greatness and power of Allah and guide him to frequent Quran recitation, remembrance of Allah, sending blessings upon the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), attending gatherings of knowledge and remembrance with the righteous and virtuous, or enjoying nature, as it removes sorrows and has many benefits.

We ask Allah (Most High) to protect us and our loved ones from negligence, to save us from depression and other psychological ailments, and to make us among His righteous servants whose hearts are filled with His remembrance, busy with His obedience, gratitude, and good worship. And blessings and peace be upon our master and Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib