Talking about Depression/Suicide

Salaam
It says that you can have sinful thoughts as long as you don’t speak of them or act on them. What about if a depressed person is confiding in a friend about their suicidal thoughts? Also, what about if a person wants to speak to the public about their own experiences with suicidal thoughts?
Jazzakallahu Khair

ameerkam said:

Salaam
It says that you can have sinful thoughts as long as you don’t speak of them or act on them. What about if a depressed person is confiding in a friend about their suicidal thoughts? Also, what about if a person wants to speak to the public about their own experiences with suicidal thoughts?
Jazzakallahu Khair

Click to expand...

Having sinful thoughts is not haraam. you cannot control your thoughts. Speaking with someone about your sinfull thoughts is also (at least not always) haraam.
There is a difference. if your sinfull thought is that you hate person A and you speak with person B about how bad person A is...then yeah that is haraam.
If you talk to someone about your suicidal thought in order to make them aware of your situation or hoping that person can help you with it, then that is of course not haraam.

speakin to the crowd or in public with this purpose or in order to provide them information about how it helped you and how it may help them is also not haraam.
But if you are talking to in public about how good suicide can be or that it is not a bad thing...it is OK if you commit suicide, etc...that of course IS Haraam.

Speak with good and if you do not have anything good to say then stay silent. However, if you want to speak about it than there are professionals to speak your problems about it. I recommend for example an Imam.

If you are having thoughts of suicidal and severe depression than there is a deficiency in your emaan and ibadah.

[h=2]And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind."[/h][h=4]

20:124​

[/h]

[h=2]Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah . Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured."[/h]
13:28

Kiro said:

Speak with good and if you do not have anything good to say then stay silent. However, if you want to speak about it than there are professionals to speak your problems about it. I recommend for example an Imam.

If you are having thoughts of suicidal and severe depression than there is a deficiency in your emaan and ibadah.

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind."

20:124​

Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah . Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured."


13:28

Click to expand...

Sorry, But I do not agree with this. With such an attitude, no Muslim will have friends.

You have your family and friends to share your life with...they are there for you to help you when you have problems...even in the Muslim world. If your religion does not allow you to share your trouble with your family and friends...then there is surely something not right don't you think?

A professional such as your imaam will only provide you information...but that is not always a solution...we humans do not always seek solutions...sometimes we need someone who just listens and understands. that is all.
sometimes we just need a friend to talk to...not some professional who's listening to you just because it is his job.

Walaikum Assalaam,

ameerkam said:

What about if a depressed person is confiding in a friend about their suicidal thoughts?

Click to expand...

There's different kinds of depression. If someone is depressed because of their circumstances (eg. grief due to death, failures, etc.) then they need to have more tawakkul (reliance) in Allah. The unfortunate events that happen in this world are not worth committing suicide over or being depressed. Maybe opening up to someone who is caring, understanding, and wise would be a good idea simply because you will be reminded of that. Changing your routine, diet, gaining a new skill, or even participating in halal activities can also be helpful. I don't suggest speaking publicly about having suicidal thoughts unless it's a real struggle you overcame and wanted to share the solution. In general though, anyone who is struggling with suicidal thought should speak to someone whether it is a professional, friend, or family member.

There are trained practicing muslim psychiatrists, therapists and psychologists out there who say you need to talk about this. The Muslim community in general needs to stop stigmatizing those who are suffering from this form of mental illness, calling them 'not good Muslims'.

Yes there is a general depression that can arise from a lack of imam, that can impact us all, but there are also physiological conditions that affect our brains that are beyond our means to control. Check this video about the subject of depression and suicide, inshalla it might inspire you or someone you love. Most Muslims Get This Wrong. What Islam REALLY Says about Depression

Anyway regardless, people who are suicidal should most defiantly 1000% without a doubt reach out to a friend, an imam (who is clued up on this kind of thing) or most importantly a mental health professional, if they need help. It could literally be the difference between life and death.

umie said:

Sorry, But I do not agree with this. With such an attitude, no Muslim will have friends.

You have your family and friends to share your life with...they are there for you to help you when you have problems...even in the Muslim world. If your religion does not allow you to share your trouble with your family and friends...then there is surely something not right don't you think?

A professional such as your imaam will only provide you information...but that is not always a solution...we humans do not always seek solutions...sometimes we need someone who just listens and understands. that is all.
sometimes we just need a friend to talk to...not some professional who's listening to you just because it is his job.

Click to expand...

What is there to disagree with?

Of course you can talk with your friends and family. And if they have remembrance of Allah within them then that will also affect you.

Talk to your loved ones about your problems and talk to Allah about them.