What is the Islamic view on insanity like schizophrenia, depression, etc? In this modern world these psychiatric diseases have become very common.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

First of all, one should know that Islam considers all diseases including psychiatric illness as trials and tests from Allah.  So, when any disease befalls a Muslim, it can be an expiation for his/her sins.

As for the psychiatric diseases, some of them are caused by the lack of Iman (right creed) or physical and mental problems or both.  The spread of these diseases nowadays is due to lack of Iman and spread of sins.

The ability to reason is a sign of maturity.  So, as long as the person has this ability, then he is held responsible for anything he says or does.  The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: “The pen is lifted (stopped from writing the deeds) from three: the sleeping person until he wakes up, the handicapped or insane person till he becomes able to reason and the child till he grows up (reaches the age of puberty)”. [Sheikh Al-Arna’ut said ‘this Hadith is sound because of the various good narrations of it’.]

On the other hand, the psychiatric diseases like any other diseases should be treated.  The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Indeed, when Allah created the disease, He created its cure”. [Ahmad]

The best remedy for such disease is in reciting the Qur'an.  Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And We send down from the Qur'ân that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islâmic Monotheism and act on it), and it increases the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) nothing but loss.}[17:82].  One can also seek legal Ruqiya as it is a good remedy for such diseases. Moreover, making Du’a while in the state of Sujud (prostration) is a good remedy.

Probably the most important cause of the wide spread of these diseases is the weakness of the Iman (right creed) of most people and their weak belief in the predestination.  This leads them to being pessimistic and unable to accept their fate.  Also, the greediness then keenness of people to get as much of the Duniya (world) comfort as they can, just to please themselves and satisfy desires, is a very important cause.

But some of these diseases are caused by chemical imbalances.  In this case, the sick person should seek assistance from new medical centers.  In fact, there are now drugs that could – if Allah wills – cure such diseases.

Allah knows best.