Does life feel like a burden to you? Do you have suicidal thoughts? Does it feel like all the bad things will never end? Do you want to come out of this bad phase? Do you want to avoid the suicidal thoughts? If yes, then this article is for you.
In this article, we will look at the 93rd chapter in the Quran, which gives hope and comfort to all those who are depressed, sad and helps you avoid suicidal thoughts.
God revealed this chapter of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad during a sad phase of his life.
Good and bad alternate in life
By the morning sunlight and the night when it darkens!
Quran Chapter 93 Verses 1-2
The chapter begins with verses that swear by the sunlight that appears in the morning and the night when it becomes dark.
Just as day and night alternate, good and bad alternate in life. No one has enjoyed only happiness for many years, and no one has only suffered for many years. The verses bring our attention to this reality of life.
Darkness of the night is followed by light of the day
Like how you get to see the light of the day after you experience the darkness of the night, you will experience goodness after all the hardships. Remember, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
God has not abandoned you
Your God has not abandoned you nor does He hate you.
Quran Chapter 93 Verse 3
When you go through difficult times, you may feel that God has abandoned you and all these things happen because God hates you. The verse comforts you by reassuring that God has not abandoned you and He does not hate you.
Tough times are temporary
The next two verses tell you that all the hardships you experience in this life are temporary.
(What is yet to come in) the future will be better for you than (what happened in) the past. Your God will give you so much that you will be well satisfied.
Quran Chapter 93 Verses 4-5
Take a moment to think about your life. Bring to your mind all the hardships you have gone through in the past. Think about how you have successfully overcome all these hardships. These verses give you the hope that you will surely overcome this difficulty as well and achieve a greater future.
God helped you
Did He not find you as an orphan and shelter you? Did He not find you lost and then guide you? Did He not find you in need and make you self-sufficient?
Quran Chapter 93 Verses 6-8
God has helped you in many ways since you were a little kid. You could never have come this far in life without God’s help and mercy. The next three verses ask you why you think that God, who has helped you in so many ways in the past, will not help you now? Never lose hope in God! You can avoid suicidal thoughts and come out of depression, if you start thinking about the different ways God has helped you in the past.
Crores of people suffer
So do not be harsh with the orphan. Do not hate the one who asks (for help). Announce the blessings of your God.
Quran Chapter 93 Verses 9-11
There are crores of people in the world who are facing hardships worse than you. Many people don’t even have a home. Many cannot find food to eat. There are many people who suffer from chronic illnesses. Many are bed ridden and cannot even lift their finger. Compare your suffering with the suffering of others.
You will realize that all the hardships you are going through are not as difficult as what many others go through. The last three verses remind you of this reality and ask you to give thanks to God by helping those who are in need.
When you are going through tough times, you will hardly think about helping others. The Quran is motivating you to do actions that are helpful to others. This behavioral change does wonders for a depressed person or for someone who is seriously considering suicide.
You might wonder, how will changing the way I think or helping others going to help with my depression? You will get the answer to this question, when you understand “Cognitive Therapy”.
Cognitive Therapy
An article from American Psychological Association’s website says:
Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness.
Reference: American Psychological Association
What do they do in Cognitive Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy involves efforts to change thinking patterns of the patients. The strategies that are used are:
- Learning to recognize one’s distortions in thinking that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them in light of reality.
- Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of others.
- Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations.
- Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence in one’s own abilities.
How effective is Cognitive Therapy (CBT)?
The article states that:
Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.
Reference: American Psychological Association
Indeed, CBT is an approach for which there is ample scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change. In this manner, CBT differs from many other forms of psychological treatment.
Reference: American Psychological Association
Quran uses Cognitive Therapy
If you carefully think about the methodology used in this chapter of the Quran, you will see that the Quran employs Cognitive Therapy to change the way you think about the hardships in your life and also introduces a behavioral change by motivating you to do actions that help others.
It is amazing how the Quran which was revealed 1400 years ago, uses Cognitive Therapy, a treatment technique adopted by modern day psychiatrists.
Avoid Suicidal Thoughts and come out of depression
There cannot be any doubt that by adopting the change in the thought process and behavioral changes recommended by the Quran, one can come out their depression and also avoid suicidal thoughts.
What is the Quran?
Muslims believe that the Quran is the last and final scripture revealed to Prophet Muhammad, who is the last and final Prophet. The entire Quran is the word of God and is the instruction manual that provides guidance to humanity on all aspects of life.
O mankind! Surely, sincere advice has come to you from your God, a cure for what is in the hearts, a guide, and a mercy for those who believe (in it).
Quran Chapter 10 Verse 57
Why do good people suffer? How come bad people are not punished? Heaven and Hell, are they real? If you would like to know the Quran’s answers to these questions, you can read the online English translation of the Quran by visiting https://quran.com/.
