Can Depression Be Caused By Distance From God?
Depression could be pathological meaning arising from genetic, environmental reasons or after certain viral infections. It’s a constant state of mind Then there’s depression we feel transiently due to our failures in achieving our goals. That’s ok. Then there’s depression we feel due to flaws in our world view, when we commit moral sins without thinking we r doing anything wrong. Like lying, backbiting, not guarding our eyes or thoughts or our privates. All these actions have reactions of pleasure, fun, sense of power but also they lead to a kind of addictive behavior. Like we have to ridicule others to feel good, we have to lie to make us look good etc. Now in order to keep going we have to create a facade around us and work tirelessly to maintain it All this become “normal” Our happiness is now tied to very shallow gratification so it doesn’t last and we have to provide a constant supply of it like latest looks, phones, shoes etc. as a consequence of this lifestyle all our friends r just like us and we can’t depend on them for social /moral support cuz they r busy maintaining their own facade. Anything bad happens and our whole existence crumble. Then loneliness, abandonment, misfortune, betrayal and finally depression ensues. The moral teachings of Islam or any major religion r the same because this is how we r. Our true happiness is based on similar things every one has known in all ages but it’s like common sense, everyone understand it but nobody chooses to act on common sense So in 1 line, depression is because of we go farther away from Allah. What it means is that we treat ourselves and others in our own way and not the way He asked us to do. Depression is not because we miss rituals of prayer but missing our obligations towards others.
Even our beloved Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّ , who was the closest to Allah SWT got depressed. Some examples from Quran are complete Sorah Duha, Kahf:6 فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَـٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا 18:6) (O Muhammad), if they do not believe in this Message,4 you will perhaps torment yourself to death with grief, sorrowing over them. Depression can be a cause to get closer to Allah by praying more, making more duas and dhikr. It’s a mental health issue which can be treated with consultation, therapy or medications.