First, we express gratitude to Allah the Exalted, the Lord of all worlds, and at the same time send salutations and peace upon the last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, companions, followers, and all sincere adherents of this religion until the Day of Judgment.

The Exalted Allah, who calls Himself in the Qur’an "Allamul-ghuyub" (Knower of the unseen), (Alimul-ghaib ves-shahadah) Knower of the visible and invisible, that is, Knower of the past, present, and future, announces that humanity will be tested with various trials:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ منَ ٱلْخَوفْ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ منَ ٱلأَمَوَالِ وَٱلأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشرِ ٱلصَّابِرِينَ

"We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient." (Al-Baqarah, 155)

Therefore, this condition in which the world finds itself is a test and trial from Allah to make the world and man understand and realize their destruction when stepping away from Allah’s path. But as Muslims, we always seek comfort in the faith in Allah, because for every sickness the Exalted Allah has given a cure. In such a state, from the Islamic perspective, we need to seek an antidepressant – a remedy that will ease this situation, bringing spiritual peace and tranquility to people.

The answer to this question we find in the words of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), which he often addressed to Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him):

يا بلال أقم الصلاة أرحنا بها

"O Bilal, call the adhan (call to prayer), relieve us through it." (Ahmad, Abu Dawood)

Also, when he was struck by sorrow, anxiety, or distress, he would immediately engage in prayer. (Ahmad) In other words: "let us relieve ourselves with prayer through which we forget worldly trials, misfortunes, troubles, and daily problems. And in prayer we seek help from the Exalted:

"You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help."

Without Allah’s help, we would feel insecurity, weakness, and powerlessness.

The Qur’an itself calls us to help ourselves by using two means: patience and prayer. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ

"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (Al-Baqarah, 153)

Use prayer as a remedy for the soul and body. Prayer as a remedy consists of Sunnahs, Wajibs and Farzes. Prayer can be used to treat laziness, all forms of idleness and lethargy, and heals from anger, bitterness, envy, gossip, and spreading others' words, and all negative traits.

Before using this remedy, ablution or full ritual washing (ghusl) should be taken if necessary. The remedy does not work if used in a state of major impurity (janabah), or without pure intention and sincere purpose to obtain its effects. No negative contraindications have been noted for this remedy; it is suitable and effective for all categories of people. Primarily, it is to be performed standing; in cases of inability, it can be performed sitting, lying down, or in any other position according to ability. The remedy called NAMAZ was prescribed at the Miraj, in direct contact between Allah, the Almighty Lord, and the Honorable Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This remedy is prescribed five times a day at specific times. The duration of the remedy is until the Day of Judgment. The remedy has a pleasant taste, so children can also use it.

That prayer is a remedy is confirmed by a hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him):

وَرُويَ عَنِ الرَّسُولِ الأعْظَمِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ لأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ لَمَّا وَجَدَهُ يَشْتَكِي مِنْ وَجَعِ بَطْنِهِ "قُمْ صَلِّ فَإِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ شِفَاءٌ" رَوَاهُ ابْنُ مَاجَهَ فِي سُنَنِهِ

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) told Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), when he complained of stomach pain: "Get up and pray, for prayer is a cure." (Ibn Majah)

The World Health Organization warns that the global financial crisis is likely to cause greater mental health problems and increased rates of suicide, given that people struggle with poverty and unemployment.

Debts, despair, feelings of loss as a result of the financial crisis can trigger a series of negative phenomena, pessimism, instability, and disappointment in society. In such difficult states, spiritual illnesses such as stress, depression, disappointment, and the like appear in people.

Dear brothers! Prayer is among the most valuable deeds after faith – belief in Allah. Even in medical books, it is mentioned that prayer is the greatest helper for achieving benefits for this world and the Hereafter. Prayer is a cause of provision, protection of health, removal of troubles, elimination of laziness, activation of organs, opening of the chest, relaxation, food for the soul, light for the heart, preserving blessings, removing punishment, distancing from Satan and his plots, drawing closer to Allah Almighty... Prayer is a cure for many diseases, by Allah’s permission.

The Exalted Allah commands His Prophet:

وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ

"Establish prayer; indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing." (Ankabut, 45)

If we look into the tafsir of these words of Allah, we can undoubtedly understand and conclude that prayer is a means of preventing evil deeds, and one whom prayer does not prevent from evil and immoral deeds, it is as if he did not pray.

The Prophet (peace be upon him), as narrated by Tabarani, said:

"He whom prayer does not prevent from evil and immoral deeds it is as if he has no prayer." In another narration it is said: "With prayer, he gains nothing with Allah but distance."

Prayer has qualities that cannot be found in other acts of worship. They are:

• It is the first obligatory worship after Tawhid (belief in the oneness of Allah).

• It is the last act of worship to be lost from this faith.

• It is the first act of worship a person will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment.

• It is the only act of worship ordained upon this Ummah on the blessed night of Miraj from the seventh heaven.

• It is the most frequently mentioned act of worship in the Book of Allah (Qur’an), mentioned over a hundred times due to its value and honor.

• It is the act of worship which the inhabitants of Hellfire will be asked:

مَا سَلَكَكُمْ فِي سَقَرَ قَالُوا لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ الْمُصَلِّين

"What caused you to enter Saqar?" They will say: "We were not of those who prayed." (Al-Muddaththir, 42:43)

• It is an act of worship whose obligation does not fall under any circumstance as long as the person is conscious. If one cannot pray standing, then sitting; if cannot sitting, then lying down; if even then not, then by gesturing (Ishara).

Therefore, Allah (glorified be He) commanded to pray even in the state of war (Salat al-Khawf).

• It is an act of worship prescribed for the free and captive, for the present and traveler, for the healthy and sick, for male and female, for rich and poor.

• It is an act of worship on which the acceptance of all other acts of worship depends such as fasting, charity, Hajj, jihad, etc.

Its value and significance are clear in that every Messenger of Allah ordered and practiced it.

وَاجْعَلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ قِبْلَةً وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

"We commanded Moses and his brother to build houses for their people in Egypt and make your houses places of worship and establish prayer..." (Yunus, 87)

يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ

"O my son, establish prayer..." (Luqman, 17)

وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ

"Command your family to pray and be patient in doing so. We do not ask you for provision; We provide for you."

‎وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا

"And He enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I live." (Maryam, 31)

Prayer is the best way to turn to Allah and the best refuge from all troubles and problems. Especially today, in this atomic age where man chasing bread and materialism has lost his spiritual life and balance.

Some scholars working on this topic say that treatment of patients through prayer—any kind of prayer in whatever form, if done with humility, concentration, and meditation—has a large role and influence in healing the sick. In a Washington Post article, scientists confirmed that those who regularly devote themselves to prayer, regardless of which faith they belong to, enjoy better health and mental stability, and do not suffer from internal disorders.

Meanwhile, according to a study conducted at the University of California covering believers from various religions, researchers confirmed that believers have a lower risk of sudden death and other chronic illnesses.

Therefore, we are left with trying these divine prescriptions which modern science also confirms have the same effect. Prayer, remembrance (zikr), patience are medicines from Allah’s pharmacy; medicines without contraindications for anyone.

Allah, help us to remember You, to thank You, and to serve You in the best way possible. AMIN!!!

Arif ef. Ramadani