Thoughts of not wanting to live are real. They exist in us and our loved ones, our families, friends, and in our communities.

But what if I told you those thoughts also exist in the Quran…

And by one of the most honorable women in the world.

Maryam (Alayhis Salam), mother of Esa (Alayhis Salam), the one Allah named a whole chapter after in the Quran. The one Allah calls as the “chosen one” in the Quran.

When her pain becomes unbearable Maryam (Alayhis Salam) clings to a palm tree and exclaims…

يَٰلَيْتَنِى  مِتُّ  قَبْلَ  هَٰذَا  وَكُنتُ  نَسْيًا  مَّنسِيّ

“I wish I had died before this and became long forgotten and non existent”

How did Allah reply to this?

Imagine if He had replied like so many people around us would reply to someone in a state of depression that has gotten so bad to the point where they didn’t want to live? What if Allah said, “Be grateful, look at the positives, it’s all in your head, you’re literally the chosen one”

Instead Allah immediately sends help. And the verse specifically mentions someone under her. As if someone is getting down to her level.

فَنَادَىٰهَا  مِن  تَحْتِهَآ  أَلَّا  تَحْزَنِى  قَدْ  جَعَلَ  رَبُّكِ  تَحْتَكِ  سَرِيًّا

“But a voice cried to her from below, ‘Do not worry: your Lord has provided a stream at your feet”

Someone is coming to “Understand “ her. Allah sends an angel to comfort her. And here comes lesson one – When you see someone in such a situation, give them COMPANY, comfort them with your presence, acknowledge their state of misery, validate their feelings, give them hope. The angel reassures her and tells her Allah has created a stream under her. Water is always a good sign, it quenches your thirst both physically and metaphorically.

And the next thing the angel tells her is amazing 

وَهُزِّىٓ  إِلَيْكِ  بِجِذْعِ  ٱلنَّخْلَةِ  تُسَٰقِطْ  عَلَيْكِ  رُطَبًا  جَنِيًّا

“And, if you shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you, it will deliver fresh ripe dates for you,”

He gives her an action item. A “to do” list. Shake the palm tree and ripened dates will fall out for you. Do this in order to get the fruit. This comes as lesson two- Motivate the depressed individual, help them get on their feet.

فَكُلِى  وَٱشْرَبِى  وَقَرِّى  عَيْنًا  ۖ  فَإِمَّا  تَرَيِنَّ  مِنَ  ٱلْبَشَرِ  أَحَدًا  فَقُولِىٓ  إِنِّى  نَذَرْتُ  لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ  صَوْمًا  فَلَنْ  أُكَلِّمَ  ٱلْيَوْمَ  إِنسِيًّا

“So eat, drink, be glad, and say to anyone you may see: “I have vowed to the Lord of Mercy to abstain from conversation, and I will not talk to anyone today.”

He advised her not to speak or explain her situation to anybody. This comes as lesson three – Tell the depressed person they do not have to explain their situation to anyone, they should not care what people talk, if they are on the right path stay focused on it. In other words this will help them to get back on their feet.

Use these lessons for yourself, your family or anyone in mental crisis, 

Courtesy : Samia Mubarak