5 Mental Health Tips From The Quran
5 Mental Health Tips From The Quran,
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 out of every 8 persons suffer from one or more mental disorders worldwide. It further reports that 970 million people were living with mental health issues in 2019 which increased by 26% in the next year.
Generally, unhealthy lifestyles, economic conditions, and persistent physical or mental stress contribute to increasing mental health problems. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and neurodevelopmental disorder are among the most common mental disorders.
The increasing number of mentally disturbed people has drawn the attention of the world community to this important issue over the past few years. Medical experts are working to find ways to combat this worldwide problem. Faith and spiritual belief in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى can go a long way in our fight against this global issue.
Islam has everything for everyone. It provides a complete code of life for all the times to come. As true followers, we believe Islam has the solution to every problem a person may face. Mental distraction is not out of it.
Peace of mind and calmness are well-known factors associated with a person’s overall mental health condition. Islamic worship like prayers, supplications, fasting, and reciting the holy Quran a rich source of spiritual and mental strength that provides the much-required calmness and peace necessary for mental well-being.
A Muslim spends a considerable time in these religious activities, which helps eradicate much of the stress out of him. A peaceful mind and heart are key to overall health, especially mental health.
Verses of the Quran About Health and Mental Wellbeing
Various surahs and verses of the Quran deal with the well-being of the people, especially the health and peace of heart and mind, such as surah yaseen.
80th verse of Surah Ash-Shuara, states,
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
Translation:
“And He ˹alone˺ heals me when I am sick.”
It proves that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى has all the healing powers against every sickness.
In the 82nd verse of Surah Al-Isra, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى commands,
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌۭ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًۭا
Translation:
“We send down the Quran as a healing and mercy for the believers, but it only increases the wrongdoers in loss.”
It implies that we should refer to the Quran regarding disease cure. Similarly, the 28th verse of Surah Ar Ra’d speaks about the peace of heart.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ
Translation
“those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.”
153rd verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, is about patience and belief that are directly related to the peace of mind.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
Translation:
“O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient.”
5 Mental Health Tips From The Quran
Islam teaches us that anxiety is a part of human life. A human becomes anxious very quickly, as narrated in the 19th verse of Surah Al-Maarij.
إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا
Translation:
“Indeed, humankind was created impatient.” That means a human is prone to mental distress. So, Islam being the complete code of life also suggests ways to overcome this natural reaction of a person.
Here are some useful tips from the Quran that deals with mental health.
- Firm belief on Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى
The first and foremost important teaching of Islam is the firm and unconditional belief in the ultimate powers of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى When we recite the first verse of the Quran بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ, which means
“In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful”
We reiterate our faith on Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى that He is the One who has all the powers and that He is not only kind but also the most merciful.
Such a firm belief has so many benefits. You get relaxed. Your emotions come under control. You get relieved against grieves and sorrows. In all, firm faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is a rich source of calmness and peacefulness, which are key to mental health. - Prayers
Prayers and supplications relieve a person from many distresses and worries. A Muslim is supposed to offer Prayers five times a day. Additionally, he can offer many other Prayers specific to certain events and occasions.
In addition to the obligatory regular Prayers, many other prayers and supplications are available in the Quran and Sunnah. All such Duas and Prayers are aimed at asking for the help and guidance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Doing so relieves a person of all his sufferings and worries.
The best part of these prayers and Duas is that it not only gives peace of heart and mind but at the same time, these prayers are also heavily rewarded by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. So, offering regular compulsory prayers supported with supplications and specific duas positively impacts mental well-being. - Balanced Life
Islam teaches us to keep a balance in everything in life. The Muslims are supposed not to go extreme on either side. The Quran teaches us to avoid both luxuriousness and miserliness. Both these habits cause immense mental distress. Islam emphasizes a balanced lifestyle, guaranteeing a peaceful mind free of anxieties.
The 67th verse of Surah Al-Furqan, commands,
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا۟ وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا۟ وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًۭا
Translation
“They spend neither wastefully nor stingily but moderately in between.”
On the other hand, Islam and the Quran also emphasize upon us to follow the concept of “moderation”, as is evident in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 143
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ أُمَّةًۭ وَسَطًۭا لِّتَكُونُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًۭا ۗ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا ٱلْقِبْلَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنتَ عَلَيْهَآ إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يَتَّبِعُ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِمَّن يَنقَلِبُ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ ۚ وَإِن كَانَتْ لَكَبِيرَةً إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَـٰنَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِٱلنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
Translation:
“And so We have made you ˹believers˺ an upright community so that you may be witnesses over humanity and that the Messenger may be a witness over you. We assigned your former direction of prayer only to distinguish those who would remain faithful to the Messenger from those who would lose faith. It was certainly a difficult test except for those ˹rightly˺ guided by Allah. And Allah would never discount your ˹previous acts of˺ faith. Surely Allah is Ever Gracious and Most Merciful to humanity.”
So, a balanced attitude in every walk of life is essential for mental well-being, as is evident from many verses of the Quran. - Recitation of the Quran
Recitation of the Quran is yet another useful tool in the hands of Muslims that has a heart-soothing impact. Not only the reciting of the Holy Quran is rewarded heavily but just listening to it also carries almost the same benefits. In the 204th verse of Surah Al-A’raf it is narrated.
Translation:
“When the Quran is recited, listen to it attentively and be silent, so you may be shown mercy.”
Hence, reciting or listening to the Quran relieves a person from many anxieties and calms his soul. - Help Others
Islam gives importance to community life. A true believer cannot live in isolation. Every person has some responsibilities towards others. It is one of the Quran’s and Islam’s teachings to help each other. Especially helping those who are in need is an act that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى highly rewards.
It is not only the financial help that matters. You need to help others in every difficult moment of his life. Even moral help is important. As for financial help, Zakat is the best practice. It not only purifies your wealth but also helps many others to fulfill their needs. It gives calmness to your heart and appeases your soul.
Conclusion
Mental disorder is one of the major challenges for the international community. Due to various socio-economic factors, more and more people are suffering from one or more mental diseases. Medical experts are striving to take control of the situation.
On the other hand, religious scholars have been highlighting the importance of various verses of the Quran to overcome this growing menace. The Quran helps reduce anxiety, thus improving mental health. It also provides guidelines for the mental well-being of a person.
So, take guidance from the Quran for every problem in your life. It will help to improve your mental health a lot.