Q: I am a Muslim woman in my twenties. I was married about a year and a half ago and thanks to Allah, I had a baby six months ago delivered naturally. A week after delivery, I began to suffer from severe depression, which had never happened to me before. I lost interest in everything, even taking care of the baby. I went to a psychiatrist and took medication until recently, but it was of no use and I became tired of long treatment.I ask Allah that you find an Islamically approved treatment for my distress and psychological depression, or the best remedy, so that I can return to my normal state and take care of my husband and baby, and be able to manage the affairs of my home. I heard sometime ago the Hadith, which states: The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for. I hope from Allah, then you, to clarify the meaning of this Hadith. Does it apply to my psychological case, or is it only for physical diseases? If Zamzam water is useful, by the Will of Allah, in treating my case, how can I get it?

(Part No. 1; Page No. 297)  A: Put your trust in Allah and expect good from Him. Entrust your affairs to Him and do not despair of His Mercy and Benevolence. There is no disease for which Allah has not also sent down the cure. You should make use of means and continue to consult specialized doctors. Recite Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and Al-Nas three times, blowing into your hands after each recitation and wiping your face and whatever parts of your body you can. Repeat this procedure day and night and before going to sleep. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah anytime of day or night, and Ayat-ul-Kursy (the Qur’anic Verse of the Throne, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255) before going to sleep. This is the best Ruqyah (Qur’an and supplications recited over the sick seeking healing) to protect oneself from evil. You should also appeal to Allah with the Du‘a’ (Supplication) to be said at times of distress: La ilaha illa Allah al-`azim al-halim, la ilaha illa Allah rabbul-`arshi al-`azim, la ilaha illa Allah, rabbul-samawaati wa rabbul-ardi wa rabbul-`arshi al-karim (There is no god but Allah, the Most Great and the All-Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Great Throne. There is no god but Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth and the Lord of the Noble Throne). You may also heal and protect yourself through the Ruqyah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): Remove the affliction, O Lord of mankind, and bring about healing as You are the Healer. There is no healing but Your Healing; a healing that leaves behind no ailment. There are also many other Adhkar (invocations and remembrances said at certain times on a regular basis), Ruqyahs, and supplications stated in the Books of Hadith and Al-Nawawy mentioned them in his book Riyad Al-Salihin and Al-Adhkar. (Part No. 1; Page No. 298) As for what you mentioned about Zamzam water and the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him): Zamzam water is for whatever it is drunk for. This Hadith was related by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Majah on the authority of Jabir ibn `Abdullah from the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is a Hadith Hasan (a Hadith whose chain of narration contains a narrator with an exactitude weaker than that of authentic hadiths, but it is still free from eccentricity or blemish) and general in application. What is more authentic than it is the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him) about Zamzam water: It is blessed; it is a food that nourishes and a cure for sickness. (Related by Muslim and Abu Dawud; this is the wording of Abu Dawud) If you would like some Zamzam water, you can ask anyone performing Hajj from your country to bring you some.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.