How shall I help a friend who has psychological problems and suffers absentmindedness?

Question: I have a friend who is psychologically confused and absent-minded. I do not know how I can help him. I suffer a lot for his state. Would you please help me save him?

The answer: First of all, I want to tell you that I am pleased to see your love for your friend and your concern to save him. You have a quality that Allah loves for the believers to have. I suggest that in order to save your friend, after relying on Allah and asking His assistance, you should do the following:

1. Be gentle and kind to him that he may trust you!

2. Try, by means of his relatives, to discover his actual problem!

3. To make him trust in you, tell him about similar conditions that you have treated or read about and their treatments!

4. Explain to him the harms of disobedience and the merits of obedience of Allah the Almighty. Perhaps he is melancholy because of remorse for committing a hidden sin. If it is so, ask him to repent and pray to Allah to forgive him, because one who repents of his sin becomes as pure as at the moment when he was born.

5. Inspire in him the spirit of hope, aim, and activeness!

6. Arrange, with your friends, a trip and take him with you and skillfully try to make him participate in group activities and amusements!