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Assalamu Alaikum (Peace be unto you),

I would like you to keep an open mind when reading this. I use to suffer from depression since the age of 16, I'm 25 now. I tried many ways to help myself such as: psychiatrists, anti-depressants, cognitive behaviour therapy, hobbies, work, school, exercising, nutrition, and journaling. All they did was temporarily mask the problem instead of solve the root cause. Although I grew up believing in Islam, I didn't practice it regularly. Now and then I tried to practice my religion but my depression was making it difficult for me.

It wasn't until I came upon a YouTube video by Dr. Zaid Ghazzawi titled “Good People Suffer from Severe Mental Disturbances:Why; that I realized what I was doing wrong. Dr. Ghazzawi explains that the main reason why good people suffer from mental problems is because they don't spread the word of Allah (God). In chapter 2:168-169 of the Qur'an, Allah (God) says in the English translation “O People Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Verily, he is to you an open enemy. He (i.e. Satan) commands you what is harmful, sinful, and to say about Allah (God) what you have no knowledge of.” Dr. Ghazzawi explains that Allah (God) warns us about the commands of Satan, which are thoughts to harm ourselves (suicide, cutting, low self-esteem etc.) and others (rape, molestation, unlawful killing etc.), perverted sexual acts (incest, homosexuality, paedophilia etc.) and to say things about Allah (God) we have no knowledge of (blasphemy).

Many of the global problems we face such as: mental illness, injustice, greed, corruption, disease, poverty, adultery, alcoholism, drugs, murders, wars, homosexuality, paedophilia, rape etc., are because we choose to turn away from Allah's (God's) grace and follow the footsteps of Satan. Now I truly believe that those who suffer from depression are good people deep down that want to make the world a better place. But if you don't believe in the one and only God (Allah) and follow His laws, then how can you expect to be happy. If you're associating partners to Almighty God (Allah) such as believing that Allah (God) is three in one (The Holy Trinity), or believing in many Gods (Hinduism etc.), or worshipping statues (Budda, Saints etc.), or not believing in Allah (God) at all (Evolution), then how can you expect to live a happy life.

As for those who don't believe in Allah (God) at all then explain how a book revealed over 1400 years ago explains the human embryonic development, the mountains, the origin of the universe, the cerebrum, the seas and rivers, the clouds etc. I encourage you to read the book “A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam” which shows scientific proofs that the Qur'an is the word of Allah (God) as well as testimonies from renowned scientists claiming that the Qur'an couldn't have been from a man but from a divine being. Here is the link: http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/islam-guide.pdf . For a more in depth explanation to why we suffer from mental illness I encourage you to visit one of Dr. Ghazzawi's videos at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6uDoYw-FO8 . I also encourage you to visit the website: www.dawahiseasy.com which features Dr Fazal Rahman giving dawah (inviting to Islam) in London, UK. You can also learn more about Islam by visiting www.kalamullah.com .

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at asdah25@gmail.com.

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

(Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and His blessings)