I am suffering from the psychiatric problem of Bipolar for a couple of years. I have been on treatment for 4 years. In the first 3 years, I have taken treatment for depression as diagnosed by a physician.
I was fine, but for a year since beginning to take the treatment of bipolar disorder my faith is in a worse condition. I try to listen to a lot of Quran and Islamic lectures to nurture my faith, but there are moments when I suddenly feel myself an atheist.
I want to increase my iman because I know that I will find the peace in Islam, but my mind requires the fact of the existence of Allah.
I know everything about Islam that is required but have very little faith. I will give my whole life and my whole income for Islam. please help me.
Answer
In this counseling answer:
We all struggle with our levels of faith at times, especially when we face other challenges.
Keep on top of your obligatory duties and gradually increase your voluntary duties, too.
Always keep your ultimate goal of pleasing Allah (swt) and attaining Jannah in mind.
Be patient; big changes won’t happen overnight.
As-Salamu ‘Alaikum,
We all struggle with our levels of faith at times, especially when we face other challenges. In your case, you have bipolar disorder which can place added challenges on your daily life.
Ma sha’ Allah, for a while you were responding well to treatment, but now you feel like your faith is not in the best position. This concerns you because you want to be entirely committed to Islam.
The good news is that you have already taken the first steps; you have recognized that you have a problem, you are prepared to change, and you are seeking help to do so.
This places you in a very strong position to make the changes that you desire successfully.
Ways to change
There a number of ways you can do this:
– Continue to make du’aa‘, asking Allah (swt) to guide you. Keep on top of your obligatory duties and gradually increase your voluntary duties, too;
– spend more time reading the Qur’an,
– engage in dhikr
– study Islam,
– offer voluntary prayers,
– give in sadaqah, and
– fast.
One thing at a time
Do not do all at once, otherwise, you might become over-burdened and lose motivation. Instead, increase engagement in these things bit by bit at a pace you know you can manage.However as you approach these things, just try to make sure you keep it regular.
For example, even if you can only read your Qur’an for 5 minutes a day, try to make sure that you make this a daily habit.
Remembering Allah
Remember Allah (swt) in everything you do. Say Bismillah before everything you do.
This will remind you of Allah (swt) at all times, keeping Him constantly in mind. Being constantly aware of Allah (swt) will encourage you to always strive to behave in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Seek refuge from Shaytaan. You know, he doesn’t like when people are close to Allah (swt) or trying to get close to Allah (swt) so he does all he can to distract you from Allah (swt).
Seeking refuge with Allah (swt) from Shaytaan and making all the necessary du’aa’ will help you to be strong against such distractions.
Check out this counseling video:
Keep good company
Be in the company of other good, practicing Muslims will not only be good for you psychologically but will again help to keep Allah (swt) in your mind more frequently.
It is also a chance for you to gain further knowledge in Islam from others who are also striving for the same goals as you.
Always keep your ultimate goal of pleasing Allah (swt) and attaining Jannah in mind. This will help to keep you motivated to maintain and increase your acts of worship and Allah-consciousness.
Patience
Be patient; big changes won’t happen overnight. It will take time and perseverance, and you may well relapse. We all do, but simply being aware of this can help reassure you.
In sha’ Allah, remembering to do these things will help to bring you closer to Allah (swt). In fact, all of these practices have an added bonus that could be good in your personal situation.
These are all acts that can also help with your symptoms of bipolar also. Easing the symptoms that you experience with bipolar like this will also have the knock-on effect of placing you in a position where it will be a lot easier to draw closer to Allah (swt).
May Allah (swt) grant you good health and bring you happiness and contentment in His remembrance.
salam,
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Read more:
https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-counselor/mental-health/really-bipolar-disorder/
https://aboutislam.net/science/health/can-creativity-exist-mental-disorders/
https://aboutislam.net/counseling/youth-q-a/im-stuck-in-a-cycle-of-depression-anxiety/