By: Ayesha Amir
How Islam Approaches Mental Health
According to the World Health Report1, one in four people in the world will be affected by a mental disorder at some point in their life. Although many people suffer from a mental illness, two-thirds of those suffering do so in silence, refusing to seek help from a professional. Stigma regarding mental health is a huge factor that contributes to this discrepancy, and this is seen in numerous cultures throughout the world. While mental health is a topic that is frowned upon and considered taboo in some cultures, Islam sheds light on some ways to approach it. Islam not only values good emotional health and mental well being, but within the teachings of the religion is a guide to approaching the challenges associated with psychological issues. This article illustrates how the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, acknowledged the importance of mental health through four aspects of his teachings that should be of broad relevance to all.
Body
Our body is one of our greatest blessings, and it is an Islamic obligation to take care of it.
A healthy body promotes good mental health as physical well being and activity can boost energy levels, mood, concentration skills, and self image.2 The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, recognized the importance of physical health. One day, he said to one of his companions named Abdullah:
“O Abdullah! Have I not been informed that you fast all day and stand in prayer all night?” I said, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger!” He said, “Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave it 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.” (Bukhari 5199)
Professor David Goldberg of the Institute of Psychiatry, London, explains the reciprocal relationship between chronic physical illness and depression when he reports that the rate of depression in patients with a physical chronic disease is almost three times higher than in people who are otherwise healthy.3 While this is only one example of how physical and mental health are interconnected, there are also many studies that show a relationship between poor physical health and depression, anxiety, and comorbid mental health conditions.
The Prophet Muhammad’s Advice on Physical and Mental Health
In the above narration, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, urges his companion Abdullah to focus on his body and physical health rather than sacrificing these aspects for the sake of worship. Praying and fasting are two habits essential to an Islamic way of life, but even then, Muslims are required to do these things in moderation. Fasting should not lead to starvation, and praying should not lead to sleep deprivation. In the narration, the Prophet emphasized the importance of fulfilling marital relations as a part of overall well being, and in this regard celibacy is not encouraged in Islam for those who are able to marry. Although Islam highlights the importance of worship and submission to God, it also emphasizes the importance of maintaining ourselves and our bodies. Self care includes good hygiene, nutrition, sleeping habits, and physical lifestyle. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught the importance of holistic living and self care, which contributes to better psychological well being.
Good Company
Our company, including the various things and people around us, also has a direct impact on our mental health. Although of course, aspects of the environment we are in are out of our control, we can monitor how we respond. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, provided helpful insights regarding who and what we surround ourselves with:
“The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith’s bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof.” (Bukhari 2101)
Prophet Muhammad’s Advice on Surrounding Yourself with Positive People
Here, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, essentially reminds us to favor good and positive companions and friends, as the opposition could have a negative impact on our mental health. Since a lot of how we feel is dependent on the people we surround ourselves with, it is important to make sure the people we surround ourselves with influence us in a positive manner and encourage us to be better individuals. So while unhealthy or toxic friendships can increase depression levels and lower self-esteem, having positive friends can reduce stress levels and improve our mental health.
The presence of positivity not only applies to our personal relationships, but also to things around us that we consume, such as media. Distancing ourselves from negativity and criticism in mainstream media is increasingly difficult in the world we live in today. However, if we can monitor what media we’re consuming and stay away from unnecessary scrolling on Instagram or Tiktok, there is a much higher chance we will reduce the negativity we consume online and better our mental health as a result.
Mind
The mind seems like the most obvious contributor when it comes to an individual’s mental health, although many don’t know how they can use mindfulness to better their psychological well being. Mindfulness is practiced when an individual focuses their consciousness on the present and accepts whatever feelings and sensations they may have. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, often practiced mindfulness through supplication, meditation, remembrance of God, and self reflection in his lifetime. Therefore, he often paired the practice of mindfulness with spirituality and submission to God, a key element in Islam. The Prophet, peace be upon him, described excellence (ihsan) as:
“It is that you should serve God as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you.” (Bukhari)
In the above narration, ihsan, or excellence, perfection and beautification of our awareness of Allah (God)6, is attained through mindfulness. This is because focusing our awareness on the present moment allows us to be more at peace with God and builds a stronger connection to Him.
How Prayer and Mindfulness Can Improve Your Mental Health
This is why one of the best ways we can practice mindfulness is through prayer, or even meditation if you’re not religious. Prayer, which is required to be completed five times daily in Islam, fosters a sense of connection with God and offers emotional comfort, which reduces feelings of fear, anxiety, and isolation4. Building a secure and emotional attachment to God in order to find comfort and strength in our day to day life is an essential part of the “peace” attained through the practice of Islam. Believing in God and placing trust in Him may lead to peace and positivity in our lives, despite the negativity and criticism we are surrounded with. In fact, one study, focusing on patients receiving mental health treatment, found that “[those] with a self-reported strong belief in God were more likely to respond to treatment, and that a higher level of belief was associated with greater reduction in mental health symptoms such as depression and the desire to self-harm.”7 Even beyond this, there are many aspects in Islam that help us achieve positivity, for example: the belief in the afterlife which inspires hope, or the emphasis placed on patience, mentioned over 200 times in the Quran, which may be a useful tool for those navigating mental health issues.
Mindfulness can also be achieved through meditation, as mentioned, which “ produce[s] a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind.” 5 Ultimately, meditation, prayer, and most importantly spiritual resilience, can eliminate unnecessary thoughts and regrets by focusing awareness on the present, which would declutter the mind and therefore results in enhanced emotional or psychological well being.
Seeking Help
Although all of the above tips from the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, may be useful to significantly improve an individual’s well being, they are in no way an alternative for seeking treatment for a mental illness when required. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reminds us to seek help for any illness, whether it be physical or mental, in the following narration:
Usamah ibn Sharik said: I came to the Prophet and his Companions were sitting as if they had birds on their heads. I saluted and sat down. The desert Arabs then came from here and there. They asked: Messenger of Allah, should we make use of medical treatment? He replied: Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age. (Abi Dawud 3855)
The Prophet Muhammad’s Teachings on Mental Health: The Importance of Seeking Professional Help
Medical treatment is often used when an individual becomes physically ill or injured, although many people fail to use it for and address any mental illness or psychological issues they may have. There are many specialists in the field of psychology and psychiatry that may be able to help and medicate people with extreme mental illnesses, and there should be no shame in taking medication for it. In the above narration, the Prophet, peace be upon him, advises us to make use of medical treatment and to seek proper help when it is required. Not only did the Prophet, peace be upon him, encourage us to directly address and deal with our mental health issues, he laid the foundation for other Islamic scholars to treat, help, and diagnose mental disorders.
How to Improve Your Mental Health According to Islam
There are several ways the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reminds us to approach mental health, and these tips and methods can apply to all individuals whether or not they are Muslim. Taking care of our bodies and physical health, maintaining positive environments and relationships, and practicing mindfulness through meditation, spirituality, and prayer, are all just some of the approaches one can follow to achieve better mental health. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, also reminds us to seek treatment when needed, which includes help from mental health professionals, despite the taboo regarding mental health care in many cultures today. The Prophet, peace be upon him, provided us with a guide to approach mental health that is proven to enhance the psychological well being of people practicing these approaches today.
But even a religious person can still have mental illnesses. It is not a sign of piety to be free of mental health issues– rather, a religious person may be able to cope with their issues better. Ibn Taimiyyah once said, “I have not seen anything that nourishes the mind and soul, preserves the body, and secures happiness more than continuous reading and contemplation of the book of Allah.”
Islam as a Source of Solace for Mental Health
The 14th century scholar Ibn al-Qayyim writes, “The second category of diseases of the heart are based on emotional states such as anxiety, sadness, depression, and anger. These types of ailment can be treated naturally by treating the cause or with medicine that goes against the cause…and this is because the heart is harmed by what harms the body and vice versa.” Many practitioners recognize the importance of spirituality in the prevention and treatment of mental health issues. Islam itself is not only a religion, but a lifestyle, and following its teachings can help us approach challenges even beyond mental health. With the profound connection between spirituality and mental well being, we invite you to consider Islam as a source of solace, recognizing its potential to enhance not only our mental health but all aspects of our lives. Have more questions? Call 877-WhyIslam, you deserve to know!
Works Cited:
[3]https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-relationship-between-mental-and-physical-health#1
[4]https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/health/benefits-of-prayer-wellness/index.html#:~:text=Prayer%20can%20foster%20a%20sense,anxiety%20and%20fear%20as%20well, https://psychcentral.com/blog/new-study-examines-the-effects-of-prayer-on-mental-health#1
[6]https://studioarabiya.com/blog/12-mental-health-tips-from-the-quran-and-sunnah
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