Fatwa ID: 08794

 

 

Answered by: Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad

 

Question:

 

Are mental health conditions and conditions like ADHD real?

 

For mental health, how can a behaviour pattern be an actual medical condition? For example for OCD, is it not just a case of “ignore the waswaas and get on with your life”

 

And for ADHD, is this real? People with ADHD have low executive function i.e. discipline. So is it not just a case of “discipline your nafs and get on with it?” Or am I being too harsh. Please advise.

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

 

Answer:

 

OCD and ADHD are real neurobiological conditions that people go through in their daily lives. They affect people’s ability to function and mental well-being and are becoming very common. This could be caused by many possible factors, including physiological factors, Nafs, and even Shaytan. And if you are tempted by Satan, then seek refuge with Allah. Indeed, He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.^[1]

 

Mental health does exist, and this can be found in the lives of the Sahābah during the lifetime of the Prophet SWS. That is why we have been recommended to read this beautiful dua:

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say, “O Allah! I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from being heavily in debt and from being overpowered by (other) men.”^[2]

 

In this modern day and age, due to our poor physical health, polluted environment, and overwhelming stressors, mental health problems have become commonplace. It is not always easy for people to just ignore their Waswasahs and get on with their lives. Islam accounts for this and provides guidance, remedies, and treatments to address mental health.

 

Spiritual Remedies and Treatments

 

Ibadah & Dhikr: Engage in regular acts of worship like Salah, fasting, charity, and dhikr.

those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.^[3]

Quran: Read the Quran often and try to learn and reflect. It serves as a guide, mercy, and cure.

We send down the Quran as a healing and mercy for the believers, but it only increases the wrongdoers in loss.^[4]

Sabr: Have patience facing trials, Tawakkul (trust) in Allah’s wisdom, and Ihtisāb (seek reward).

Dua: Regularly make dua for relief, guidance, and peace.

Time in the Masjid & Company of the Pious: Spend time in the masjid and with pious people.

Seek Knowledge: Pursue knowledge and learn how to better deal with these challenges.

Purification of the Heart: Strive to purify the heart through repentance and avoiding sins.

Improving Imān: Strengthen your faith (Imān) and trust in Allah.

 

 

References:

 

[1] وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ نَزْغٌۭ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٣٦

(Fussilat 41:36)

[2] “‏ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ ‏”‏‏.‏

(Sahih al-Bukhari 6369, Book 80, Hadith 66)

[3] ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٢٨

(Ar-Rad 13:28)

[4] وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌۭ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًۭا ٨٢

(Al-Isra 17:82)

 

 

Only Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) knows best.

Written by Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham