Islaamically approved treatment for Postnatal Depression

 

             Fatwa # 3828 {The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’}

Question: I am a Muslim woman in my twenties. I was married about a year & a half ago & thanks to Allaah, I had a baby six months ago delivered naturally. A week after delivery, I began to suffer from severe depression, which had never happened to me before. I lost interest in everything, even taking care of the baby. I went to a psychiatrist & took medication until recently, but it was of no use & I became tired of long treatment.

I ask Allaah that you find an Islaamically approved treatment for my distress & psychological depression, or the best remedy, so that I can return to my normal state & take care of my husband & baby, & be able to manage the affairs of my home. I heard sometime ago the Hadeeth, which states: The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for. I hope from Allaah, then you, to clarify the meaning of this Hadeeth. Does it apply to my psychological case, or is it only for physical diseases? If Zamzam water is useful, by the Will of Allaah, in treating my case, how can I get it?

Answer: Put your trust in Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى & expect good from Him. Entrust your affairs to Him & Do NOT despair of His Mercy & Benevolence.
There is no disease for which Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى has not also sent down the cure. You should make use of means & continue to consult specialized doctors.

Recite Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq & Al-Nas three times, blowing into your hands after each recitation & wiping your face & whatever parts of your body you can. Repeat this procedure day & night & before going to sleep. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah anytime of day or night, & Ayat-ul-Kursy (the Qur'aanic Verse of the Throne, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255) before going to sleep. This is the BEST Ruqyah (Qur'aan & supplications recited over the sick seeking healing) to protect oneself from evil.

You should also appeal to Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى with the Du‘a (Supplication) to be said at times of distress:

La ilaaha illa Allaah al-‘azeem al-haleem, la ilaaha illa Allaah rabbul-‘arshee al-‘azeem, la ilaaha illa Allaah, rabbul-samawaatee wa rabbul-ardee wa rabbul-‘arshee al-kareem ^[1]

There is none worthy of worship (in truth) except Allaah, the Most Great and the All-Forbearing. There is none worthy of worship but Allaah, the Lord of the Great Throne. There is none worthy of worship but Allaah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth and the Lord of the Noble Throne.

You may also heal and protect yourself through the Ruqyah of the Messenger of Allaah صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم:

“Remove the affliction, O Lord of mankind, and bring about healing as You are the Healer. There is no healing but Your Healing; a healing that leaves behind no ailment.” ^[2]

There are also many other Adhkar (invocations & remembrances said at certain times on a regular basis), Ruqyahs, & supplications stated in the Books of Hadeeth & Al-Nawawi mentioned them in his book Riyad Al-Saaliheen & Al-Adhkar.

As for what you mentioned about Zamzam water and the statement of the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم: Zamzam water is for whatever it is drunk for. ^[3] This Hadeeth was related by Imaam Ahmad and Ibn Maajah on the authority of Jabir ibn ‘Abdullaah from the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم. It is a Hadeeth Hasan (a Hadeeth whose chain of narration contains a narrator with an exactitude weaker than that of authentic ahadeeth, but it is still free from eccentricity or blemish) and general in application. What is more authentic than it is the statement of the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم about Zamzam water:

It is blessed; it is a food that nourishes and a cure for sickness. ^[4]

(Related by Muslim and Abu Dawud; this is the wording of Abu Dawud)

If you would like some Zamzam water, you can ask anyone performing Hajj from your country to bring you some.

May Allaah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Member	Deputy Chairman	Chairman
`Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan	`Abdul-Razzaq `Afify	`Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

Notes:

1.      Imaam Ahmad, vol.1, pgs. 228, 259, 280, 284, 339, & 356, from the Hadeeth narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي اللّه عنـه); related by Al-Bukhari, Fathul Bari, nos. 6345, 6346, 7421, and 7431; Muslim, Saheeh [Sharh Al-Nawawi], vol.17, pg.47.

2.     Al-Bukhari, Saheeh, Book on medicine, no. 5742; Al-Tirmidhee, Sunan, Book on funerals, no. 973; Abu Dawud, Sunan, Book on medicine, no. 3890; and Ahmad, Musnad, vol. 3, pg. 151

3.     Related by Ahmad, vol. 3, p. 357; Ibn Maajah no. 3062; Al-Bayhaqee, Sunan, vol. 5, pg. 148, from a Hadeeth narrated by Jabir ibn ‘Abdullaah (رضي اللّه عنـه), and Al-Bayhaqee related from another narrator in Shu’ab Al-Imaan, Talkhis Al-Habeir, vol.2, pg.268, Al-Fawa’id by Ibn Al-Muqree, Fathul Bari, vol.10, pg. 116; and Ibn Al-Qayyim ranked it as Hasan in Zad Al-Mi’ad, vol. 3, pg. 406 – Al-Fiqi ed

4.  Related by Al-Tayalisee, Musnad, as in Al-Talkhis Al-Habeir, vol.2, pg.269; with the wording: “Zamzam is blessed, as it is…,” Muslim, Saheeh [Sharh Al-Nawawi], vol. 16, pg.30; Ahmad, Musnad, vol.5, pg.175, with the wording: “It is blessed, it is food that nourishes,” from the Hadeeth narrated by Abu Dharr (رضي اللّه عنـه); and Al-Tabaranee, Al-Saghir, no. 295.