Is depression condemned in Islam? And if it is, are there any directives on how to deal with the problem?
No, depression is not condemned in Islam. Feeling depressed is but human; Islam does not want us to be superhuman; it only wants us to get out of this state as soon as possible.
In this regard, the true philosophy of life should be understood. We have been created by the Almighty to be tested and tried (67:2). This trial is conducted through the circumstances we are put in. If we are put through good circumstances, then our trial is whether we remain thankful to the Almighty, who gave us without asking and without our having any right. If we are put through bad circumstances, then our trial is whether we show perseverance and patience in these times or not.
Both these circumstances generally come in a person’s life. They are his real test. He cannot be given total happiness or total misery since that would make the trial profoundly difficult.
It is evident from the Qur’ān that the Almighty tests us through hardships:
1. to punish us for our own misdoings (42:30),
2. to shield us from greater misery (18:74, 18:79),
3. to sift out the evil within us (3:179),
4. to give us the opportunity to earn reward by showing patience (3:142, 76:12).
In such circumstances, a person must remember that Allah is our only Saviour and Refuge. One Whom we will never lose like our other relations; Who is always with us and Who always thinks well for us. Our objective as a Muslim is to surrender to His will, since we know that He always means well for us. This is the essence of Islam.