Short answer
No. Seeing a qualified therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist, and taking the medication they prescribe, is permissible and is part of the treatment the Prophet ﷺ encouraged. Choose someone who respects your faith where you can, and do not follow advice that asks you to do what Allah forbids. The four schools agree.
Permissible (mubah), and recommended when the condition harms your life or worship. The general rules still apply: modesty with a therapist of the opposite sex, no khalwa (being alone together), and no acting on advice that conflicts with the Shariah.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Mental illnesses are illnesses, and the Prophet ﷺ said that Allah has sent down no disease without a cure. The Quran calls itself healing for what is in the breasts, and Muslims are free to use both that spiritual healing and medical treatment. Medication for depression, anxiety and other conditions, taken at the prescribed dose, is treatment, not intoxication. If a medicine contains alcohol or gelatin, see alcohol in medicine.
Talking to a therapist about your life is not backbiting. Scholars list seeking help and advice among the cases where speaking about someone's wrong to you is allowed, so describing what a parent or spouse did to you is permitted when it is for your treatment. Keep to what is needed.
Choosing a therapist:
- a Muslim therapist, or one who respects your faith, is ideal, but not essential
- where you can, choose a therapist of your own sex, or a setting where you are not secluded, such as online sessions
- reject any advice to drink, to have a relationship outside marriage, to give up prayer or to drop your beliefs
- approaches such as CBT, which work on thoughts and habits, sit well with Islamic teaching
Ruqyah and dua are a support, not a replacement for treatment. Do not assume every struggle is jinn or the evil eye, and do not let anyone talk you out of seeing a doctor. If you are a therapist, relieving a Muslim's distress is a great deed. Read more in mental health in Islam.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Yunus 10:57
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَآءٌۭ لِّمَا فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٥٧﴾
O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.
Healing of the heart is something Allah cares for, and it can be sought through permitted means.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:195
وَأَنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا۟ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى ٱلتَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوٓا۟ ۛ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٩٥﴾
And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.
Leaving a serious illness untreated can lead to harm.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5678
Sahih... ما أنزل الله داء إلا أنزل له شفاء ...
"Allah has not sent down any disease except that He has also sent down a cure for it."
Mental illness is a disease that may be treated.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2442
Sahih... ومن فرج عن مسلم كربة فرج الله عنه كربة من كربات يوم القيامة ...
"Whoever relieves a Muslim of a distress, Allah will relieve him of a distress on the Day of Resurrection."
Helping people out of distress, as therapists do, is a great deed.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Adhkar (al-Nawawi), Chapter on what is permitted of backbiting. Seeking help against a wrong and seeking advice are among the permitted cases.
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, chapter on treatment. Treatment is permitted.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.