Sihr is so called because its means are hidden or secret, and because the practitioners of sihr deal with things in secret which enable them to perform illusions to confuse the people and deceive their eyes, and to cause them harm or steal their money, etc., in a secretive manner so that in most cases nobody realizes what is happening. Hence the last part of the night is called sahar, because at the end of the night people are unaware and they do not move about much. And the lungs are also called sahr, because they are hidden inside the body.
Black magic is a disease which affects you according to the condition of the soul. Just like a disease will affect you according to the condition of your immune system. This type of magic does not refer to the illusions that are shown on tv.Magic and occult practices are never carried out for goodness but instead are the reasons for destruction. this problem has intensified a lot in the last few years, and many are suffering all over the world, totally unaware of the attacks made by no other than their closest friends, acquaintances and relatives. many prosperous happy families are ruined by magic.
Magician write some Quranic verses with filth, some write them using menses discharge, some write them under their feet and use as footwear to go to the toilet. However, if the Magician abstains from committing acts of disbelief, as instructed by Satan, the latter will stop executing the Magician orders.
The Magician and Satan are therefore, two accomplices in disobeying Allah. The darkness of kufr covers Magician face like a black cloud. If you get close to him, you will discover that he lives in a psychological misery with his wife and children, and even with himself. He cant sleep peacefully at night with a clear conscience. He often wakes up in a terrified state several times at night, most of the times demons harm his children, wife and cause division and marital squabbles.
CATEGORIES OF MAGIC
The relation between goodness – badness, evil – good and right – wrong is as similar to day and night: both of them are incomplete and useless with out each other and at the same time, no one can deny their existence. Those creations inhering only goodness, rightness, uprightness, and which are error free are angels. And contrary to this those creations that are full of evil, and no matter of goodness is found – are devils, jinn, Mephistophelean spirits and malefic creations. And the creations that are conglomeration of both these are human beings.
Magic and occulent practices are never carried out for goodness but instead are the reasons for destruction. The core aim of doing this is to tease the God’s creation, penalize them and to enforce them to obey one’s order. The knowledge of goodness (norani) is the product of certain amliyat, wazaif, Duroods, and the Holy Quran and on the other hand, magic is the product of mantras, evil studies, evil reclusions etc. and by reciting which a person becomes strayed.
ONE: The sihr of the chaldeans who used to worship the seven plants, believing that these planets controlled the world and where behind the forces of good and evil. these people were the ones to whom the Messenger Ibrahim was sent.
TWO: The sihr of people who have fantasies and hallucinations. Ar-Razi argued hpw fantasy may have an effect on people. For instance, a man may be able to walk on the trunk of tree on the ground surface, but cant do so if the trunk is placed alongside a river of similar place.
The common advice of doctors to a person with a nosebleed not to look at red objects and to a possessed person not to look at bright or revolving objects in simply because, man's soul has been created weak and is submissive to fantasies.
THREE: Seeing the assistance of worldly spirits ( the jinn ) who are two types; believers, and the disbelievers who are domons. Professionals and experts in the field hold that communicating with these worldly is achieved by simple means such as Ruqya using words of disbelief and polytheism, and smoke. This type of magic is known as sihr of Taskhir, which is using the assistance of inn in performing acts of sihr.
FOUR: This type includes the performance of magic and eye-catching trickery. It is based on tricking eye and preoccupying it solely with the object viewed. A skilled magician can perform a trick that stuns the minds of viewers and catches their eyesm leaving them preoccupied with gazing at an object; thereby immediately performing another trick, which appears them other than what they are expecting, and are; thus, left dumbfounded, If the magician remains silent, dose not say things which distract the minds of the viewers, they would be aware of all the tricks he had intended to perform.
FIVE: Marvelous objects such as a geometrically made arwork. For Exmple, a knight riding on a horseback, holding a horn in his hand, appearing to blow every hour. This type, including the construction of a clock mechanism should not be considered as part of magic, because it is based on positive causes, and if man understands science better, he will be able to produce more advanced machines. These things have became known now following the advance of technology which has been the driving force behind the invention of a number of marvellous objects.
SIX: The magician use to specfic medication on food and oinments. Bear in mind that there is no gainsaying the effect of such medication, as the effect of hypnotism is clear.
SEVEN: The sahir claims that he knows the supreme name of God ann that the jinn obey his commands in many things. if the person listener to the sahir weak-minded, and less perceptive, then he would believe that what the sahir may tell him is the truth. Thus, a listener is attached to what he believes is the truth, and so could be easily frightened. Once fear is insilled, his sensory perception is weakened, and the sahir would be capable of doing whatever he wishes.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN MAGICIAN AND DEMON
In most cases, an agreement is set up between a magician and a demon, requiring that the former commit certain pagan rituals, whether secretly or openly, and the latter provide the services he need or send someone to do the job. Usually, the agreement is set up between a magician and one of the chiefs of the tribe of jinn and demons. The chief instructs one of the tribe's disrespectful demons to work fot the magician, obeying his orders and informing him of past events, causing separatation of a man from his wife, a love spell between two people, making someone incompetent.
The magician should send the demon on an evil mission, but if the demon disobeys his orders, he would come close ro the chief if the tribe through some enchantments which would carry words of praise, seeking refuge in him instead of Allah in return, the chief would punish the demon and command him to obey the magician orders, of instruct someone elase to obey the poltheisstic sahir.
Therefore, the relationship between magician and the recuited jinn is based on hatred. Usually, this jinn would harm the magician wife, children or wealth, or even the sahir himself; although the magician would not be aware of the cause of his suffering; such as constant pain, insomnia and the sudden frightful waking-up during the night.
Here are some of the effects one can experience on the physical level if one has become a victim of black magic.
- Waking up with a jerk and in fear within moments one falls into the first stage of sleep.
- A Dark or Grey smoke is seen in front of the eyes when awake.One's complexion turns dark & as the time passes it turns to darker shades of black.
- Stinging pains in different parts of the body.Shooting stinging pain in the tongue and one wakes up with extreme pain with a blister on the
- Burning of palms as if they have been put on fire
- Lips and other body parts get swollen in the spur of the moment for no medical reasons.
- Constant Fatigue/ Low Energy
- Mood Swings & extremely negative thinking that can lead to suicides
- Jerking/Twitching of muscles or body parts
- feeling of ants crawling on the body or body parts vibrate
- Heaviness/Tightness in the whole body or certain body parts
- In serious cases where spirits have taken control of the house where the individual is residing: one can experience dripping plasma from the walls, unusual activity of the insects & other weird phenomenon that is un-explainable & unrealistic. Some of the unusual activity is only visible to the victims.
- Whether it is Black Magic or Voodoo witchcraft the effects are intensified on and around the Full Moon Nights and the Dark Moon nights
- As the attacks continue the victim is torn down on multiple levels; gets bed ridden and eventually dies of no apparent medical reason. The doctor's cannot help him because the symptoms misguide the doctors into giving the individual stronger treatments with every passing day and one day the body gives-up.
Important: The spirit activity starts increasing exactly 72 hours before the Dark moon nights and the full moon nights. If you are a victim your condition will worsen around these periods. It will help you keep a log of the events around these periods.
If any of the symptoms listed above match your situation, your life is at serious risk, you should seek immediate help from a genuine professional healer who can handle issues connected to the spirit world. Vedic Wisdom can help you get serious professional help. We can help get your life back on track in as little as few hours to few days.
Treatment of Black Magic and Possessions or Demonic Influence
The complete procedure of Islamic Exorcism is explained in about eight different steps, and below is the summary of steps that are applicable to either the ‘Exorcist’ or the ‘Victim’.
Step 1:The victim(and/or exorcist or the person doing the exorcism) should purify and cleanse his body and his house from all Sins. One should firstly clean and dispose all items/things in their premises like dog, bell, musical instruments, pictures/painting/dolls of living people and animals; non-Islamic taweez or amulets hanging around anyone or in house etc, then offer 2 units of ‘Salatul Tauba’ and sincerely repent for all his sins. One should also check the list of major sins[like haram food and drink, adultery, disobedience to parents or husband, music and dancing, zina of eyes i.e watching un-islamic videos, zina of tongue..etc, visiting astrologer/ fortuneteller /magician, living on unlawful earning etc] that could block Allah’s mercy and blessings and one needs to abstain from them and sincerely repent to ALlah and ask His forgiveness.
Step 2: Neutralize and destroy any magical amulets, taweez or strings/thread or any magical items.
Magical amulets usually have jinns tied to them, if they are found and destroyed the effects of the Sihir will fade away InshaAllah. If the victim finds or has any magical amulets in his body or houses, he should destroy it by following the steps below:
- Get some water or kitchen vinegar.
- Recite Aytul Kursi 1x and last three Surah / last three Quls 7x to 11x each and give 3x powerful blows into the water/vinegar.
- Reciting Ya Salaamu[O Giver of Peace] continuously, pour some recited water/vinegar over the place from where the amulet was retrieved.
- Reciting Ya Salaamu[O Giver of Peace] continuously, dismantle the amulet completely i.e cut it or break it, to separate the casing from the writing or script or incantations written on paper or cloth or leather of the amulet.
- Submerge, all the pieces of the amulet completely into the recited water/vinegar and place some heavy stone over it so that it gets submerged properly.
- Leave it for over 24 hours submerged, preferably outside the premises of the victim’s house.
- Dump the casing into garbage and check if writing/scipt is visible, dry it slightly and then burn it before dumping it into river, or sea or burying it somewhere in the ground outside the house[burning is to prevent disrespect of any quranic verses if present on the amulet].
- InshaAllah, this will neutralize and release the tied Jinn’s from the amulet and the magic will be broken.
Step 3: The victim(and/or exorcist or the person doing the exorcism) should strengthen his faith and trust on Allah and then create protective shields around himself: To strengthen the faith and trust on Allah, offer 5 times salat, give as much as charity as possible for the sake of Allah, spend times in morning and evening reciting Istiqfar, Darood and Zikir ‘La-elah-el-lal-lah’ as much as one can. To create protective shield around one self recite
-Dua of Protection – ‘A’oozu bi-ka-li-maa-til-laa-hit-taam-maati min sharri maa kha-laq Wa-la-huw-la Wala-khu-wa-ta El-la-bil-la-hil-‘Ali-yil-‘Azeem
[I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created and there is no Power or Might except Allah; the High, the Great;]
excessively and especially 3x after every salat and also during times of anger, fear and anxiety. This will not only create a protective shield around the body but will also weaken the nesting Jinns in the body and will also force them to leave and will also ruin all the plans of the magicians and his paymaster, MashaALlah. Also recite this dua 3x or 7x times and blow it on the hands and rub it over the entire body once before doing the amal, to prevent counter attacks from the jinns.
Step 4: Create Protective shield around the House: Apart from practicing the amal mentioned above, the victims in-order to neutralize and banish all kinds of evil jinn in their premises, should play Surah Baqarah[2] (if not available play Manzil) on a computer or any audio or stereo system or mobile at-least once every day or night for 7 to 21 days in a row without any gaps, it will have devastating effect on the Jinn’s in the house and will force them to leave, MashaAllah.
For protecting our homes against any Jinn and Magic as per the hadith one should recite Aytul Kursi and last two verses of Surah Baqrah once or thrice every morning and every evening consistently every day with the intentions of “Protecting,safety and security of the house and its people against all evils”.
Step 5: Items required for the AMAL or Holy Ritual And Procedure to use them
Items required:
- Drinking water or ZamZam Water: After the amal/ritual the victim will use this water for drinking, washing and spraying(inside the house).
- 3 whole Lime [not lemon or orange] or cup of apple cider vinegar for every bath.
- About 7 Leaves of Indian Baierie tree[leaves of red berry fruit tree] or Lotus or Jujube or sidir or neem or Custard Apple or betel(pan) leaves or a mixture of leaves from various trees .
- Crush them with a stone or a machine and extract all the juice. This should be added for every bath.
- Olive oil or Mustard oil or Black seed oil[optional]:This is optional and could be used on patients who are bedridden and cannot take a bath. Some Olive oil or Mustard oil or Black seed oil, after doing any of the below mentioned amal’s, 3x powerful blows should be done on the oil. This recited oil should then be rubbed on limbs, stomach, back, neck and traces on the forehead of the patient mornings and evenings.
- Non-Alcoholic Rose essence or oil or perfume[optional]: Few drops can be added to the water, while bathing or rinsing the body and few drops can be added to the water while spraying inside the house. The advantage of using perfume it that since the evil jinn/ shayateen dislike good smell and perfume’s, using them will have a devastating effect on them.
- Crystalline salt or Rock Salt[optional]: Few spoons of salt can be added to the water, while bathing or rinsing the body and few spoons can be added to the water while spraying inside the house. There is no problem when this is added with other ingredients like rose essence or vinegar..etc
Note: If (3) not available please use only (1) and (2)
Consensus of Exorcist agree that items like lime, vinegar, baierie leaves, black pepper, ginger..etc are known to burn the Jinn’s and we therefore use it with recited water to Mashaallah have a devastating effect on Jinn or group of jinns nesting inside the victims body.
How Much of Water Is Required to Blow after Amal
The water should be sufficient enough to be used for at-least a week for drinking, washing our body and spraying on the house. As the amal will be repeated every 7 to 10 days till the victims becomes normal and no abnormalities are visible.
Drinking: 1 glass in morning and 1 glass in evening: 2 *7 = 14 glasses
Washing: Approx 2 glasses for every wadhu/bath : 2 * 7 =14 glasses
Spraying on house: Approx 2 glasses every day: 2 * 7 = 14 glasses
Please make sure you have additional water so that you don’t run out of water and have to repeat the amal again. Its preferable to have the water in a medium sized plastic can/container’s with lids then can be closed after 3x or more blows are given into the water after the amal, the cans will also ensure that the recited water is safe and free from pollution once the lid is closed.
How to use them:
After the amal is done the reciter/the exorcist should immediately take a deep breath and blow with full pressure 3x or more times on the water[after blowing close the lid of the container saying 'Bismilaah'] every blow should be done with full strength/energy after taking a deep breath so that the waves hit the water, its ok if some spittle enters the water.
The victim should be given at-least one glass of recited water every morning and evening. The victim should drink the recited water daily till he recovers completely. While drinking the water, the victim should recite ‘BISMILLAAHI Ya Shafi[In the name of Allah, O Giver of Cure]‘.
For every spiritual bath, in the evening get one/two glass of recited water squeeze 3 whole lime or equivalent vinegar and add about 7 crushed Baierie leaves[with all the extracted Juice along with the crushed leaves] into the recited water and add additional tap water[approx 1 liters] sufficient enough for the person to make wadhu/ghusul or rinse his body with it.
Before entering the washroom, the victim should recite the ‘dua of entering washroom’ and then make an dua in the heart ” YA HAYYU YA QAYYUM Please cure and purify me from all evil influences of men and jinn that trouble and harm him. Ameen-3x”. The victim should make wadhu / ghusul or rinse his complete body with this mixture in a big bowl or vessel or bucket so that the dirty water can be collected and later thrown on some ground or garden or in pots rather than in drain or bathroom.
This mixture should also be nicely rubbed on the victims head, shoulders, neck, chest, back, stomach and other places of pain and heaviness while bathing [avoid rubbing mixture on eyes as lime /vinegar may cause some burning]. This procedure should be repeated for about 7 to 12 days, every evening. Note: If the victim cannot take bath, try a sponge bath i.e drench a clean towel in a mixture of recited water, lime, baierie leaves and normal water, and wipe it all over the body.
The recited water should also be sprayed on every wall and the ceiling of the house, on beds, curtains, furniture, at the entrance and outer boundaries of the house at-least once every day preferably in the evenings, except inside the bathrooms or washroom or toilets. This should be repeated daily till the patient recovers completely.
Note: Initially during the treatment the things might get worse because the evil jinn may try to retaliate the treatment, however, the victims should undergo the treatment continuously, without any gaps for 11 days, 21days or until things get better. And also save some recited water to recycle it with new water during the next amal.
Let’s start by pointing out some basic differences between Depression and Sadness. In essence, sadness is part and parcel of human life and part of being “human”. It is a normal human emotion that more or less all human beings experience in different phases in their lives. Even holy personalities like Moses, Jesus and Muhammad went through deep sadness. This is just like if a bee comes and stings someone, there will be an immediate reaction.
The Quran, the holy book of Islam, provides ample examples from the lives of different messengers-who were the greatest of all human beings-that they all went through pain, suffering and the resulting sadness in their lives. From that perspective, we can conclude that sadness is “normal”. According to Islamic teachings, God Himself claims that it is HE who bestows happiness and sadness:
“IT IS HE WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH AND CRY” (QURAN)
But still that immense sadness of Prophets and Messengers (PBUT) didn’t stop them from pursuing their missions even more vigorously. Their sadness didn’t result in hopelessness nor in a state of inaction-in other words, they went through periods of sadness but not depression.
Depression on the other hand, is characterized by hopelessness, loss of meaning in life, self-worthlessness and feeling of sadness without being able to identify the cause of the gloominess in life. The two states of crying and laughing are unique to the Human being, that no other animals shares, and its purpose is to make us reflect on the realities of life. Everyone experiences symptoms of depression, but when the symptoms remain for two weeks or more it is called clinical depression.
However, the Quran teaches us, we have to be careful of many of the symptoms of depression even it is for a short time. Depression is the result of not being able to do what we want. It is a sense of loss of freedom & control.
Below we will discuss different types of depressions, and will have solutions to the hopelessness, meaninglessness, self-worthlessness and daily dysfunctional life from an Islamic perspective. All change begins by sees things in a new light. By embracing these truths you will be able to bring light into the gloom of your life.
Some Basic Truths
No human being is burdened with trouble and difficulties they cannot bear.The Quran teaches “(God) will never place a burden on a soul that it can not bear”. This shows that the human being can bear many unthinkable burdens, that one initially feels that they cannot bear. How many times in your life, you felt you cannot take it anymore, but you lived through it? How many humans go through great difficulties in life but live through it?
After every hardship is easeLife is one difficulty after another. One task after another, one issue after another. However, it is important to know that while life tests us, there is ease after hardship. There is the ease of death after the hardship of life, there is ease of sleep after the hardships of the day, there is ease of retirement after the hardship of a career, and everything has a high and a low. What goes up, must come down, likewise, Tough times only mean, the times of ease are near.
The Quran teaches, “The morning light after the stillness of darkness”….when its dark everything seems still as if it will never go away. The fact is nothing remains forever and nothing remains the same. So, after every time of difficulty there is ease. The Quran teaches, “There is ease after hardship, Indeed there is ease after hardship.”
Suffering purifies our humanness
When we go through difficult times, when we have a financial loss, when we lose a loved one, when we struck by bad times, it brings out the real humanness in us, and we begin to ask the very questions that are most fundamental to us, “Why are we here?”, “What is the purpose of life”, “why me”, “What happened to all my plans and dreams, etc. We learn the frailty of our humanness. The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Look at the ones who are less fortunate then you, not at the ones are more fortunate then you.”
Hunger attracts food. Hunger is a spiritual experience, it is good for the soul, and food is an experience of the body. In the same way, ease and happiness is good liked by the body and is welcomed, and hardships and difficulty are disliked by the body but are very good for the soul. It forces the soul to deal with the difficult questions of life. It helps us to grow as humans, to find and deal with our human frailness. And our human frailness helps us to find our inner most nature.
It’s not the events, which take place that cause happiness or depression-but it’s our inner reflection of our situation that determines our spirituality and our emotional maturity.
You are not in control, but can choose what you want to do Depression happens because of a feeling of helplessness. A feeling that we are not in control; you should embrace that you are not in control at the moment. You should embrace your lack of control over your situation. Most depression occurs because of external situations and how we allow external situations to affect our insides. Perhaps, it’s a good time to turn to the One Who does control everything.
All we ask is you is to, try this… pray to God, even if you don’t believe in God, pray to Him, talk to Him, and you will feel so comforted in your heart. Tell God that you know He is in control. Cry to him. We are taught that by turning to God, we restore ourselves like a dying plant becomes green with water. As an experiment, do this on blind faith and see if it works, say, “All admiration belongs to you, if good comes to me its from you, and if some trouble comes to me its from you, I submit to you, and this situation to you.” Say this even if you do not believe in God, and see how you feel in the inside. Second, you can take action regarding your situation. Life is all about choices; a choice is like putting a seed in the ground that may bare fruit. You put the seed, and the unseen forces bring the rain. Work on what you can do, you can sow the seed, you can make the right choices, and you can start to work in a direction that you want to move in.
Three Days The past is gone forever. The Present is all you have, and the future; leave it for when it comes. The life in this world is short, our time for this life is constantly running out. One of the great scholars of Islam said, “There is only one day separating me and the Kings. As for the yesterday, their taste of it has vanished, and both they and I equally fear what tomorrow will bring. Thus, there is only today. What will today bring?”
Everything is in a Flux, and Most Change is SpontaneousNothing stays the same. The atoms, the celestial bodies in the heavens, air, water, etc, nothing stay the same from one moment to the next. Everything is in a flux, this means people in health will soon face illness, people in illness will soon have relief. Those that are happy today will soon undergo some sadness, and those that are sad will have happiness. Most changes in life are spontaneous; losing a job, death of a loved one, an accident, a terminal illness, etc. This means that your situation will not be the same forever, if you are not in control today, there will come a time where it is.
Belief is the Greatest Cure No pill, counseling session, techniques to cope can compare to a strong belief in God. As long as one believes in a loving God, one has a reason to be optimistic. Belief can give you the ability to handle all sorts of difficult situations. It can give a person the ability to see the positive in the overwhelmingly negative situation. If you do not believe in God, I would suggest to believe in Him, give it a try and see if your outlook on the situation changes for the positive. We all need a something to keep us focused and keep us going, we all need something that bring clarity to our world, all need to hold on to something for support. If there is a God, and there is, there is nothing stronger then the knowledge you can hold on to him to help you cope with your situation.
Also, if there is a God, there must be good in what you are going through, you may not understand that today, but if we look at our past situations in life, we will see how the hard times, made us grow. There is a saying, “God does not create trash.”—Humans being the greatest creation of God, and YOU were an idea God had that came into existence, so your worth is that God thought of you to begin with. Also, God does not forsake His care over his creation and you are His creation.
Expectations Most of our depression happens due to high and sometimes unrealistic expectations. If we can lower our expectations, we minimize the risk of going into depression. If we can minimize our expectation from others-then we really put ourselves in a position of strength and fortify ourselves from being exposed to feelings of being let down, betrayal and rejection-which are strong precipitating factors for losing self esteem, feeling low and going into depression.
Classification of Depression as a Psychiatric Disorder
According to DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical manual Version IV), below are some of the major types of Depression:
Major depressive disorder (also known as clinical depression or major depression)
This is a specific diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association. |
Here are some sub-categories of major depression:
Atypical depression, a cyclical sub-type of major depression where sleep, feeding and perception of pleasure are normal but there is a feeling of lethargy Melancholic depression a sub-type of major depression characterized by an inability to feel pleasure combined with physical agitation, insomnia, or decreased appetite Psychotic depression, a sub-type of major depression combined with psychotic or delusional perceptions
Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified Postpartum depression, a depressive episode occurring within a year of childbirth Dysthymia, a long-term low-grade depressive condition
Adjustment disorder with depressed mood, previously known as “reactive depression”
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a depressed mood related to the seasons Other major categories include Bi-polar Depression (manic Depression) and Dual Diagnosis (Depression along with Substance Abuse).
Dual Diagnosis is most difficult to diagnose and treat because most often people suffering from major depression self medicate using illegal addictive substances and end up seeking therapy for substance use. Once treatment for addiction progresses to an extent, depression comes up to the surface. On other times, depression acts as a catalyst to relapse in substance abuse and maintains the vicious cycle for the victim of dual disorder.
The Quranic Treatment of Depression
Let’s now talk about some of the evidence based reasons why people develop depression
Social Causes of Depression
Family problems: marital problems, parent-child relationship, marital problem and depression of parents affecting their children. Lack of affection, attachment, acceptance and bond within the family. When marriage is not working, it often turns to a stressor, which leads to depression and substance abuse. Depression of one spouse usually affects the other and the marriage. Even if the depressed spouse recovers-he/she is likely to relapse due to unsatisfying marriage. Marital discord often leads to depression and vice-versa, it may also lead to verbal, physical and emotional abuse.
Solution: If you find yourself in this situation then
The first thing to think about is if you need to be in a healthier environment. Never stay in an abusive place.
As a family; try to do activities together like eating, going out to the park, taking a walk, do something spiritual, etc. Do not do things in which the family is not engaged with themselves like watching tv, movie, etc.
Help the family member admit there is a problem
The husband and wife should make a list of their grievances and share it with each other every night or at least every week. Know your triggers. Focus on YOUR own responsibilities, rather then YOUR rights.
Journal and/or find a hobby
Help someone; especially someone in your situation
Take a holiday trip together
Lack of Positive Social Network: Stressful social environments, lack of support network, high expectations and social competition due to cultural norms, ethnicity and social class play a role in overwhelming people and as a result, they become vulnerable to depression. A depressed person turns out to be over-sensitive to social criticism and feed-back, displays low self esteem, becomes dependent on people and constantly seeks re-assurance in a way that drives people away from him/her and thus re-enforces his/her idea that he/she is unworthy as a person.
Solution: If you find yourself in this situation then
Spend a day doing good deeds
Smile
Journal one good thing about yourself everyday. Did you do a good deed? Did some good fortune come your way?
Join any sports club, gym or volunteer at a place
Attend a seminar on a topic you like
Get a pet
Rebuild relationships you have lost over time from your family, relatives, high school days, etc
Gender Issues: Societal norms regarding gender expectations can be source of stress, especially when women have to play multiple roles like a working mom who has to take care of her family, go to work and may be attending school simultaneously. Research also suggests that women are more likely to get overwhelmed by stressful events than men. Research suggests that single mothers are thrice more prone to depression than married mothers. Relative lack of power and discrimination in workplace, financial stress of low paid jobs, lack of social support network-especially for single mothers, biological factors like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, child-birth and menopause-they all contribute to increased risk of depression in women.
Solution: If you find yourself in this situation then:
See what are the responsibilities you really want to take on & those things that others can do, you do not need to over burden yourself with— prioritize, and don’t let other things bother you Do not let yourself become over stressed, and if you do take a break
Know yourself and your body’s limits. Eat properly, sleep properly, give yourself personal time, exercise, etc.
Create a schedule
Read a book
It’s ok to ask for help (friend, spouse, a support group, a self help for working mothers or single mothers)
Hang out with friends
Medical Reasons: Research suggests that stroke, heart attack, cancer, Parkinson’s disease and hormonal disorders can cause depression in a person by causing chemical imbalance in the person’s brain..
Solution: If you find yourself in this situation then
Take extra care of your nutrition.
Do not over eat. Fill your stomach with 1/3 food, 1/3 water, and leave one 1/3 for air
Exercise
Spend time looking at & contemplating nature
Sleep well
Incorporate Prayer in your daily schedule
If you hear bad news, or something that make you upset, just sit down have a drink of water and see the bright side to the situation
Now, let’s shed some light on how depression is affecting the modern society:
Social Impact of Depression:
Major depression is 4th most disabling condition in the world, and 2nd most in the developed world. As well as the human cost, the burden on society is incredible. At the rate of increase, it will be the 2nd most disabling condition in the world by 2020, behind heart disease. It is estimated 35 to 40 million Americans living today will suffer from major depression at some time during their lives, with about half of this amount suffering from recurring depression symptoms. A major risk outcome of depression is suicide. Here are some facts correlating depression and suicide:
About a quarter of suicides in the US are felt to be due to undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed major depression.
Up to 80% of suicide deaths are in sufferers of major depression.
Given that suicide is the 8th largest cause of death in the US, it’s no wonder that major depression is classed as “the nation’s leading mental health problem”
Islamic Solution to Depression:
Defining Goal of life: Islam teaches us that we should focus our goal on succeeding in our life to come after this life. If we emphasize on the transitory nature of this worldly life-then most of our problems of this life lose it’s importance in our lives and subsequently lose their power of a having negative impact on us.
With difficulty, comes ease.
Everyone needs a support system, and everyone needs a best friend, and everyone need role models.
God never burdens a soul more than it can bear.
Develop gratitude for the blessings that God has given you.
A depressed person needs a source to turn to, turn to God for help, support, mercy and forgiveness.
If there is a God, and there is, only good will become of the negative situation one finds themselves in.
Find out purpose and value in your life and in everything that you’re going through.
Incorporate prayer in your schedule at least twice a day. Talk to God.
Live one day at a time.
Surrender your unmanageable problems and things over which you’ve lost control of to God.
Always Hope in Allah’s mercy.
Get involved with your religious organizations, charities, or some other volunteer work
One should say “al-hamdu lillah” a few hundred times a day. A phrase in the Arabic language that means “All praise and gratitude for God”. Muslims say this phrase when they are in difficult situations.
If we think it is a bad situation, it could have been worse. If we think it is a good situation, it is still a test for us. Everything is from God and we should praise Him often. Thanking Him is one way to praise Him—al-hamdu lillah.
Each one of us came to this world for a purpose
Exercise
Nutrition
Sleep well
Read
Contemplate
Write a Journal
Reconnect with your lost relationships
Spend time in nature
REMEMBER THE “SOME BASIC TRUTHS”
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