The Islamic Perspective on Mental Health
Today’s world has seen and endured much in the past few years and unsurprisingly given way to numerous mental disorders and psychologically disturbed states. The concern for mental health development has increased and its need is constantly highlighted despite the reluctance and hesitance with which people often greet the concept with. According to the World Health Organization, ‘Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.’
Mental Health and Islam: The Question Mark
While the awareness campaign is going on strong, it is important for Muslims to understand the dire need for education in mental health in the light of their faith. Not merely for educational purposes but also in order to strive towards gaining mental and spiritual peace to focus their worship towards their Creator. Much to the detriment of most Muslim societies, there is a harsh stigma attached to mental illnesses and those who engage in any treatment are further condemned under the assumption of believing it ‘Un-Islamic’. There is also a prevailing concept of simply enduring any mental illness or disorder and not doing anything to cure it, thinking that it is a trial from Allah and thus to be suffered.
To counter these misguided beliefs, it is important to understand that psychology is not a novel study but rather an ancient one that age-old Muslim physicians and philosophers painstakingly researched and extensively discussed in their findings. The names of Imam Al-Ghazali and Al-Razi are oft repeated when it comes to the acknowledgement of Muslim thinkers in the field of psychology.
From an Islamic Perspective, the wellness of mental health is closely associated with spirituality and the integration of both is said to be necessary in forming a meaningful relationship with Allah (swt). Indeed the very field of ‘Tasawwuf’ in Islam, involving a spiritual guide (Shaykh), is said to focus on the cleansing of the ‘Self’ of all negativities and involves the concept of therapy through spiritual catharsis. Even for those who prefer to take another path to learn how to attain their Lord’s pleasure, have a deep spiritual connection with their mental wellness. Any obstruction in this path, be it physical, psychological or emotional, must be removed in order for a believer to be successful and free to worship his Creator. The connection between spirituality and mental health must not be discounted and ignored but rather openly acknowledged.
How Islam Promotes Mental Wellness
Allah has given multiple examples of trials in the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself expounded the stories of the Prophets and how the greatest of men overcame grief and distress in the past. The very fact that Islam acknowledges emotional disturbance and accepts them as an integral component of human experience, indicates the interest it has in promoting mental wellness. Indeed, it is narrated in a Hadith that the Prophet ﷺ said:
There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment. (Sahih Al-Bukhari).
The Qur’an serves to motivate the believers to seek patience in prayer in times of grief and occupy themselves with Zikr (remembrance of Allah) and encourages them to console themselves with the promised unconditional happiness and peace of Jannah (Paradise) and consider their distress to be limited to a time for this life is transient. Moreover, learning from the life of the Prophet (SAW) and how he was with his companions also highlights the significance of the benefit of having support groups that invite therapy and catharsis.
From another angle, the Quran provides an interesting base for the study of the Self and the mechanics behind it. The Self is explained in the form of three states and the Quran elucidates the purpose of the three and how they control us. The fact that so much knowledge has been given to us in terms of mental states and how to balance them, indicates that far from condemning them to be against religion, any efforts in the way of achieving mental wellness should be commended and encouraged.
Towards a Holistic Approach
So how do we formulate an approach that is not singularly focused on one aspect but rather invites a holistic outlook that is multidimensional? It can definitely be done and Deenin encourages a model that includes balancing:
-Physical Health: Looking after one’s self with good diet and exercise.
-Mental Health: Having a positive yet realistic approach to life
-Emotional Health: Awareness and Regulation of feelings
-Social Health: Relationships and healthy Interactions
-Spiritual Health: forming a deep connection with Allah SWT through zikr and remembrance.
While we are constantly shifting when it comes to psychological states, some modicum of balance can be achieved through living a lifestyle that does not downplay any of the above.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Aslam, A. (2022, June 21). Muslim Mental Health: Islamic counselling. Sakoon. https://www.sakoon.co.uk/blog/muslim-mental-health-islamic-counselling/
Islam & Mental Health. Institute for Muslim Mental Health. (2020, April 15). https://muslimmentalhealth.com/islam-mental-health/
Mental Health & Wellness. Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. (n.d.). https://yaqeeninstitute.org/what-islam-says-about/islam-and-mental-health-and-wellness#are-there-qur-anic-prescriptions-for-coping-and-distress
Mental health 101: An islamically integrated perspective. Khalil Center. (n.d.). https://khalilcenter.com/articles/mental-health-101
Mental health and Islam: An integrative perspective. IMANA. (2023, May 24). https://www.imana.org/mental-health-and-islam-an-integrative-perspective/
The Qur’an and mental health | BPS. (2018, May 14). BPS. https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/quran-and-mental-health
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
