Question Summary:
1) What is your view regarding use of alcohol gels as anti-septic agents. 2) Are you aware of any specific islamic remedy for depression.

Question Detail:

1) What is your view regarding use of alcohol gels as anti-septic agents. They are used in hospital and elsewhere where water is not available or not easy to get at to prevent spread of infection. Please provide reasoning for your answer.
2) Are you aware of any specific islamic remedy for depression.

Answer :

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
1.       Since the antiseptic gels contain synthetic alcohol it is permissible to use them for external use to prevent infection.
2.       Firstly one should remember that depression is caused by displeasing Almighty Allah. When a person transgresses the Laws of Allah, he/she is inflicted with various types of harms one been depression. It is for this reason Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said “Who ever makes Istighfaar in abundance, Allah will make a way out for him from every difficulty, free him from depression and anxiety and Allah will grant him sustenance from avenues he will not imagine”.
Therefore the depressed person should repent for the past and turn his/her attention to Allah. Focus on pleasing Allah by fulfilling all His commands and He will grant you ease peace and satisfaction of the heart, mind and soul. Allah states in the Quraan “Behold! In the Zikr (obedience) of Allah is complete tranquillity and peace”.  Allah is the controller of all situations. If a person is in any difficulty, Allah is the only being that would assist him in coming out of that difficulty. Therefore turn to Allah and He will take care of all ones problems and misfortunes.
بِسمِ اللهِ الَّذِى لا الَه الّا هو الرَّحمنُ الرَّحِيم
الَّلهُمَّ اذْهِبْ عَنِّي الْهَمَّ وَ الْحَزْن

Bismillah illazi La ilaha illa huwa ar-rahman ur-raheem
Allahumma adh-hib `anni alhamma wal hazn
 
Place right hand on the forehead after Fardh Salah and recite the above supplication.
And Allah knows best
Wassalam u Alaikum
Muhammed Zakariyya Desai,
Assistant Mufti
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah