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"In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful" "What does Islam say regarding self-hatred and self-harm? Does Islam condemn situational depression? What about clinical depression? What about depression over our limited human knowledge -our inability to fully understand everything- is it a trust issue with Allah (SWT)?" This is a very interesting issue, because according to psychological studies, in modern era a considerable percentage of people alive are subject to several kind of depression including small children. There are many reasons for depression such as personal, social and economical matters. In present competitive world, people are continuously struggle for achieving success in their life. Sometime, they achieve their goal while defeated and feel defeated, helpless and depressed. The Islamic system aims to create balance in a Muslim's life, by putting life matters into perspective, rearranging our accordingly, harmonizing all circles of relationships between the individual and his inner or outer environments.
Keywords: depression, suicide, major depressive disorder, religion, Islam
"Seek the life to come by means of what Allah (SWT) granted you, but do not neglect your rightful share in this world. Do good to others as Allah (SWT) has done good to you. Do not seek to spread corruption in the land, for Allah docs not love those who do this" (Islamic Foundation UK). People feel depressed, sad and hopeless when this pleasant emotional and hormonal equilibrium is disturbed, in which case Islam steps in, not to morally wrong the feeling, but to offer a solution for regaining psychological and mental balance. But still that immense sadness of Prophets and Messengers (PBUT) did not stop them from pursuing their missions even more vigorously. Their depression did not result in helplessness or in a state of inaction-in other words, they have gone through periods of sadness but not depression.
Depression on the other hand, is characterized by helplessness and hopelessness, loss of meaning in life, self-worthlessness and feeling of loneliness and sadness without being able to identify the cause of the complete darkness in life. The two states of crying and laughing are unique to the human being, that no other animal's shares. Its purpose is to make us reflect on the realities of life. Everyone experiences symptoms of depression,...