Q: I am a Muslim woman in my twenties. I was
married about a year and a half ago and thanks
to Allah, 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 and took medication until
recently, but it was of no use and I became
tired of long treatment.
I ask Allah that you find an Islamically approved
treatment for my distress and psychological
depression, or the best remedy, so that I can
return to my normal state and take care of my
husband and baby, and be able to manage the
affairs of my home. I heard sometime ago the
Hadith, which states: The water of Zamzam is
for whatever it is drunk for. I hope from Allah,
then you, to clarify the meaning of this Hadith.
Does it apply to my psychological case, or is it
only for physical diseases? If Zam zam water is
useful, by the Will of Allah, in treating my case,
how can I get it?
A: Put your trust in Allah and expect good from
Him. Entrust your affairs to Him and do not
despair of His Mercy and Benevolence. There is
no disease for which Allah has not also sent
down the cure. You should make use of means
and continue to consult specialized doctors.
Recite Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and Al-Nas
three times, blowing into your hands after each
recitation and wiping your face and whatever
parts of your body you can. Repeat this
procedure day and night and before going to
sleep. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah anytime of day
or night, and Ayat-ul-Kursy (the Qur’anic Verse
of the Throne, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255) before
going to sleep. This is the best Ruqyah (Qur’an
and supplications recited over the sick seeking
healing) to protect oneself from evil.
You should also appeal to Allah with the
Du‘a’ (Supplication) to be said at times of
distress: La ilaha illa Allah al-`azim al-halim, la
ilaha illa Allah rabbul-`arshi al-`azim, la ilaha
illa Allah, rabbul-samawaati wa rabbul-ardi wa
rabbul-`arshi al-karim (There is no god but
Allah, the Most Great and the All-Forbearing.
There is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Great
Throne. There is no god but Allah, 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 Allah (peace be
upon him): 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.
There are also many other Adhkar (invocations
and remembrances said at certain times on a
regular basis), Ruqyahs, and supplications
stated in the Books of Hadith and Al-Nawawy
mentioned them in his book Riyad Al-Salihin
and Al-Adhkar.
As for what you mentioned about Zamzam
water and the statement of the Prophet (peace
be upon him): Zamzam water is for whatever it
is drunk for. This Hadith was related by Imam
Ahmad and Ibn Majah on the authority of Jabir
ibn `Abdullah from the Prophet (peace be
upon him). It is a Hadith Hasan (a Hadith whose
chain of narration contains a narrator with an
exactitude weaker than that of authentic
hadiths, 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 (peace be upon him) about
Zamzam water: It is blessed; it is a food that
nourishes and a cure for sickness. (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 Allah grant us success. May peace and
blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his
family, and Companions.
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly
Research and Ifta'
http://www.alifta.net/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?languagename=en&View=Page&PageID=150&PageNo=1&BookID=7