Mental Health and the Quran: Finding Guidance and Comfort

Are you someone who constantly feels overwhelmed, anxious or even depressed? You are not alone in this situation. Mental health has always been openly discussed on all forums of science. Experts have now come to realize how mental health plays an important role in our lives and how it tends to affect our day-to-day routine.

There are plenty of medicines that are now easily available to treat any issues regarding mental health and wellness. However, there is one medicine that can offer you comfort from these issues and is often rarely discussed. As Muslims, we turn to Allah, The Holy Prophet and the Quran for guidance.

Allah has himself provided us with a source of comfort and guidance from all such mental issues in the form of the Quran. The Quran offers us comfort whenever we face any difficult challenges in life. All we need to do is have faith in Allah. Let us discuss how we can find guidance and comfort in the words of the Almighty.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Spirituality

Spirituality is an important topic in Islam which is often discussed by various scholars from their point of view. Some may say that you need to pray and fast and that is how you will improve your mental health. However, everyone must know that the essence of true spirituality does not end at praying five times a day, paying zakat, or fasting on special days. Anyone can complete all these pillars of Islam and yet not be spiritual enough.

Spirituality comes from continuous effort with all the efforts that we can make. Apart from fulfilling their obligations, Muslims can practice gratitude by being thankful in every situation brings a sense of contentment in our hearts. Engaging in good deeds, doing dhikr, and maintaining good social connections all help build up spirituality in our souls. You can even Recite these duas to cure anxiety and sorrow.

Acknowledge What You Are Feeling and Accept Those Emotions

In Surah Al Baqara Allah says,

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوْعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْاَمْوَالِ وَالْاَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرٰتِ۝۰ۭ وَبَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِيْنَ۝

Be sure We shall try you with something of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and life and the fruits (of your labour); but give tidings of happiness to those who have patience.

[Surah Al-Baqara 2:155]

He has clearly stated that the lives of every human being will be filled with tests and everyone will have to face these trials in their own way. The verse even mentions several emotions that are linked to mental well-being such as fear, loss, and anxiety. Every human being needs to experience these emotions in their life. Even the prophets went through these intense emotions more than once in their lifetime.

We listen to the stories of Prophet Yaqub, who was so saddened due to the loss of his son, Prophet Yusuf, that he went blind. Then, there was Prophet Zakariya, who was contently anxious because he did not have a child of his own till his old age. These stories from the prophets are an example of the fact that Allah acknowledges these feelings and also gives us a solution to deal with them.

Remembering That Allah Is Always with Us

As Muslims, we must believe that whenever we pray to Allah or call upon Him, he always responds since he accepts all our prayers. Whether it is day or night, He is the only one who is there for us in all our good and bad times. Therefore, we must always call Him whenever we are going through a difficult time.

In Surah Ghafir, Allah says:

“Your Lord has said: “Call to Me that I may answer your call. Surely those who disdain worshipping Me will enter Hell, disgraced.”

[Surah Ghafir 40:60]

This verse is a great example of Allah’s promise that whenever we turn to him for help, he will be there to help us. This promise is not limited to offering Salah; Muslims can also perform dhikr in their daily lives at any moment, reminding us that Allah is always with us.

Maintaining a Healthy Body

It is also important to take good care of your physical health and wellness to maintain your mental health.

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As:

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “O `Abdullah! Have I not been formed that you fast all the day and stand in prayer all night?” I said, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)!” He said, “Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave them (the fast) at other times; stand up for the prayer at night and also sleep at night. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 5199]

Our bodies are a form of blessing from Allah. Apart from that, there are plenty of researches that prove a strong link between mental and physical health. Having a healthy lifestyle helps to have a positive impact on several mental issues, such as depression, anxiety, etc.

Conclusion

Reading the translations of the Quran, we learn that we need to draw ourselves closer to Allah to find comfort and guidance. We must believe that whatever Allah plans for us is the best. If one puts their complete faith in Allah and what he plans for us, there will be very few worries to think of in this world. There is great wisdom behind all of His decisions, whether good or bad. Let us end this article with a Hadith from our loving prophet (PBUH) that sums up mental health and its relation to the Quran.

Suhaib reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:

Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.

[Sahih Muslim 2999]

Author Bio

Rafia is a certified Quran scholar and Islamic content writer based in Pakistan. She is passionate about educating and inspiring others through her writing, promoting a deeper understanding of Islamic principles. She occasionally writes articles for Muslim And Quran.