In 1978 I was badly afflicted with “Severe Depression”. In the beginning the attacks were irregular. Once a month or a fortnight I would have a severe attack of depression. For a whole day or sometime for two or three days continuously I would suffer its effects. It made me terribly sad and melancholy. I would become restless and dreaded darkness. To counter its bad effect I had tube lights all over the house. Slowly my condition deteriorated and the attacks had a frequent pattern. During the attack I would be confined to the house and was scared of going out alone. I lost interest in my work or hobbies. I was anxious, restless or sluggish. I felt physically drained. I was unable to focus on my work and had difficulty in making decisions. I felt as if my heart was sinking and I had a feeling of choking.

I consulted my Doctor who gave me some Vitamins and put me on sedatives. I was even prescribed regular use of Vallium. My condition was getting worse everyday and my daily routines were badly upset. I also had insomnia.

I tried homeopathy and other herbal medicines but had no relief. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV also prescribed some homeopathic tablets but my condition worsened and I became more restless and also short tempered. My wife and children were very worried and tried to consol me. My daughter Jamila suggested remedies which I applied but it did not help.

I then turned to prayers and devoted most of my prayers to the cure from this dreadful disease. Fortunately Salaam and I had an opportunity with the help and encouragement of Dr. Waheed and Niño to go for Umra.
I decided that I would devote half of my prayers for the cure of this disease. When we arrived at Mecca and had a first glance on Kaaba I prayed to Allah to cure me and show me the sign of the acceptance of my prayers. I prayed,

“O, Almighty! I am a most humble servant of you and am weak and helpless. I am suffering from this dreadful disease which has rendered me useless and unworthy. I cannot focus on my missionary work and am unable to concentrate on my religious obligations. I am a devotee of life for the advancement of your Cause and your religion. Without your help and succour my life will be wasted. I beg you and entreat you to cure me from this disease. My Lord, Please help me.”

These were the prayers that I begged during the circumbulations ( Tawaf) of Kaaba.

From Saudi Arabia we went straight to Qadian for a few days. In BaituDua ( The small room where the Promised messiah used to pray for hours) I vehemently prayed and wept. I said in my prayers,

My Lord, this is the sacred room where your Messenger and Messiah used to pray and his prayers were accepted. My Lord, I am a most humble servant of him and have firm faith that you not only accept our prayers but also respond to our prayers in giving to us the glad tidings of there acceptance. Please have mercy on me and cure me from this disease. Please come to my help and show me the miracle of cure.”

I had spent almost an hour there and came back to the Guest House.

That night I saw a dream in which I saw a saintly person with an illumine face. He said to me,

“Allah has accepted your prayers. The disease has been cured and from now on you will never have any bouts of depression.”

I woke up and told Salima about the dream. She was very happy. Since than I have never had any attack of depression. It is now around 15 years or so that I saw that dream.

My dear children, It is my advice to you to inculcate the habit of prayers. Our God is a loving God. He listens to our prayers and accepts them. Knock at His door and you will never be disappointed. As Jesus has said, “Knock and it will be opened for you”