Before anything else, to overcome depression it will be essential to perform a ruqyah, since the Qur'an is a very effective remedy. The person affected should also remember that our Lord knows their situation and is able to change it.
The second thing after that is faith, as Imam Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned. Indeed, it is essential to ask the Lord for help, to direct one's heart toward Him alone, so that this heart may live in the garden of the Qur'an.
Asking for forgiveness and prayers will obviously be very important as well.
In addition, one may turn to plants, particularly griffonia and rhodiola, taken in capsule form at a rate of four per day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
Alongside this, linden herbal tea will be beneficial for calming down, and in the evening taking two capsules of valerian and hawthorn will make falling asleep easier. If the person still cannot fall asleep, they may take two more capsules an hour later.
Furthermore, if griffonia has no effect, it is then advisable to take saffron, a natural antidepressant. Be careful, however, if taking a chemical antidepressant: a gap of two to three hours should be left between taking the medication and taking the plant-based capsules.
What the science says: sadness and depression, linden, valerian and calming herbs, spiritual remedy
What published research says about the remedies mentioned above, for context — the studies address material causes, while healing belongs to Allah.
Sadness and depression
Regular physical activity reduces depressive symptoms according to numerous meta-analyses, including postpartum (PLoS One, 2023); omega-3s have a documented complementary effect in mood disorders (PLoS One, 2014) (Bipolar Disord, 2021). The professor reminds us that the soul is also healed through the Qur'an, supplication (du'a), and the company of righteous people. Precaution: deep depression or dark thoughts require medical and psychological care — natural remedies accompany it, they do not replace it.
Linden, valerian and calming herbs
Valerian improves sleep quality according to several meta-analyses (Am J Med, 2006) (J Evid Based Integr Med, 2020); linden contains anxiolytic flavonoids (J Ethnopharmacol, 2008), and a network review compares herbs against anxiety (passionflower, lemon balm, lavender…) (Pharmacol Res, 2022). Precaution: do not combine valerian, passionflower or hops with sleeping pills and anxiolytics without medical advice; avoid before driving; use for a few weeks at a time rather than continuously.
The spiritual remedy: legislated ruqyah
Legislated ruqyah — recitation of the Qur'an, authentic supplications, Qur'an-infused water, honey and black seed — is the first of the remedies in the professor's teaching, and it lies by its very nature outside the scope of scientific studies: it is an act of faith grounded in revelation. It in no way opposes medical treatment; the Prophet ﷺ said: "Seek treatment, for Allah has not sent down a disease without sending down a cure for it." Precaution: beware of anyone who claims to heal through talismans, incomprehensible formulas, or by asking for the mother's name — this is not legislated ruqyah; and never abandon medical treatment on the pretext of a supposed occult cause.
