Suffering from mental illness

27-7-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

If a person has a mental illness that prevents him from getting a job or from continuing his education, can he stay at home till they feel better? Or does he have to face his fears and put his trust and faith in Allah?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we advise the questioning brother to consult a trustworthy psychiatrist.

As for the Islamic ruling, it is permissible for a person to stay in his house whether or not he suffers from this disease.  However, it is better for a person to mix with people, and bear their harm patiently.

Finally, we advise this brother to go out and carry out all the activities as normal as if there is no problem, relying on Allaah and seeking His Help, and he should seek refuge in Allaah from the devil.

Allaah Knows best.