Can a Believer Suffer from Depression?

Question

Peace be upon you. Is it possible for a believer to be afflicted with depression that sometimes leads to mental illness? [AR_ID:3426]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Mental illnesses are divided into two categories:

First Category: These are biological mental illnesses that arise due to hormonal imbalances in the body or genetic factors.

This category of illnesses is unrelated to religion or faith; it affects both believers and non-believers.

Second Category: These are illnesses resulting from economic or social pressures, family disputes, and other factors, and they also affect both believers and non-believers.

Thus, a believer is as susceptible to mental illnesses as a non-believer, just as they are to physical illnesses.

To illustrate this fact, one can observe cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is a mental disorder with biological, psychological, and social causes. The sacred law has provided remedies for it, where religious treatment for OCD is as important as cognitive-behavioral or medicinal treatment, based on accessible religious teachings.

Furthermore, examining the narratives about trials for believers makes this matter clear. The narratives state that the most tested people in this world are the prophets, followed by those who are most like them. One such narration from Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) states: "The believer is like a balance; the more their faith increases, the more their trials increase." (Source: Al-Kafi 2/254)

Another narration from Al-Baqir (peace be upon him) states: "When Allah loves a servant, He envelops them in trials. When they call upon Him, He responds: 'Here I am, My servant! If I hasten what you asked for, I am capable of that, and if I withhold it, what I have withheld is better for you.'" (Al-Kafi 2/253)

Indeed, there is an important point: it is established that faith creates a high state of psychological and spiritual stability ("Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest"). It is clear that with psychological stability, mental illnesses decrease significantly, depending on the strength of faith and the spiritual elevation of the believer. It is known that believers are of varying degrees; a weak believer may suffer from a type of mental illness and will certainly be rewarded for it.

May you be successful in all good.