I have been suffering from depression since the past few weeks and I am worried my prayers have become extremely irregular. Salah was the only thing that made me strong has now become so rare, that I feel lot more depressed. Please I need help
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Sister in Islam,
Difficult and challenging situations are inevitably experienced by everyone at some point in life. These conditions are tests from Allah Ta’ala in order to elevate their status and increase their blessings.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alahi Wa Sallam said,
أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ تُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ إِلَّا كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَنْهُ حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةِ يُشَاكُهَا(المسلم)
“There is no difficulty that happens to a Muslim except that Allah removes a sin because of it even if a thorn pricks him and even to that degree.”(Muslim (5640
It is possible because of the difficulties you are facing you do not find the enjoyment and inclination towards Salaah. Remember enjoying Ibadah is praiseworthy but is not the purpose. We worship Allah because of Allah and His right to be worshipped. We do not worship Allah for self-enjoyment. Yes, enjoying Ibadah helps in executing the obligation. At times, Shaitan misleads us and we begin worshipping Allah for self-enjoyment. When that feeling is lost, we stop worshipping Allah. In that case, the critical question is to ask is who did we worship? Allah or our Nafs?
It is of utmost importance that when we are faced with hardships, these tests and difficulties bring us closer to Allah and increase us in Ibadaat and refraining from wrong. By enduring these hardships and having Sabr (patience) and Iḥtisāb (anticipating the reward from Allah) one’s sins can be purified and luxurious positions be gained in Jannah.
Remember that discarding Salaah without any valid reason is a grave sin. Consider the following Ahadith:
سمعت جابرا يقول سمعت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول « إن بين الرجل وبين الشرك والكفر ترك الصلاة ».
It has been narrated on the authority of Jabir (Radhiyallahu Anhu) that he heard Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying, “Discarding out Salaah leads one to kufr and shirk”.(Sahih Muslim )
عن عبد الله بن بريدة عن أبيه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم « العهد الذى بيننا وبينهم الصلاة فمن تركها فقد كفر ».
It has been narrated on the authority of Buraidah (Radhiyallahu Anhu) that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The pledge between the infidels and us is Salaah, and whoever leaves it out has left the fold of Islam”.(Jami’ Al Tirmizi )
Our advice is to turn to Allah Ta’ala with full devotion and sincerity, for it is only through His help and Tawfeeq one is able to overcome difficulties. Supplicate to Allah and ask Him to make it easy for you to establish Salah in a manner that is most pleasing to Him, for surely, He answers the prayers of those who turn to Him. Allah Ta’ala says,
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]“ [2, 45].
Read the following Dua once in the morning and once in the evening:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ، وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, and I take refuge in You from weakness and laziness, and I take refuge in You from miserliness and cowardice, and I take refuge in You from the burden of debts and from being over powered by men.
Also ensure there is a Deeni environment in the house. It may be an idea to commence Taleem in your house. An appropriate book on the character of Rasululallah Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam and his Sunnahs be chosen to read daily for about five to ten minutes, in which all family members take part. This will bring Barakah and unity in the house.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Arshad Ali
Student Darul Iftaa
Trinidad
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.