Mental & Spiritual Heath: An Islamic Perspective

( Note: The following is an edited version of my presentation at this month's spirituality session. The participants all had-at q& a time- very insightful observations, and while initially we planned on posting the entire recording on the internet, we decided this format would be better, as it would allow for more sustained thinking and discussion, plus the core of the presentation is best preserved in this format. The wording has been edited to reflect a written article, rather than repeating verbatim the presentation. )


Questioning or having doubts on one's faith/Islam

There are a number of issues, that range from theoretical, historical, as well as practical, which can cause doubts in one's faith. It has to be mentioned that personal problems and mental stress can likewise influence this situation, but that is admittedly not always the case.

Some examples include doubts about the existence of God ( Almighty Allah), theory of evolution, role of women in the texts as well as within the community, having difficulties observing the Ramadan fast, lack of benefit from prayer ( Salaah), Muslim community politics, terrorism and so forth.

I admit these diverse subjects, and others like them, can be very complex, and simply doing internet searches will often only add to the confusion, in light of the contradictory answers out there.

On the subjects mentioned above, there are answers to be found within the Qur'an and Sunnah, but sometimes we either can't find the answers or we don't understand properly those answers.

There are some steps we have to take in order to deal with those issues which we struggle with. Those steps are

[1] Consult trusted authorities

The Qur'an says "So ask the people of knowledge, if you do not know" ( Q 16:43 among other verses). The meaning of this teaching is that one has to consult an authority, a person whose knowledge on that particular subject is trustworthy, who understands not only the subject but who understands your own unique backround and situation.

This is the way we do with our medical doctors. Usually we have our own doctors, a general practitioner or family doctor, a person we have a personal relation with, who understands all of our medical history, and who will deal with us in a trustworthy manner, who will safeguard our medical information, who will give us advice in a succinct fashion.

The same should be applied to issues of faith. The person giving the answer should know what he/she is talking about, they should understand how to give that information, they should be sure to give accurate and succinct information.

We place emphasis on having a trustworthy tie to the one you are asking information from, contrasting to simply looking on the internet for an answer. The internet is a platform which often has untrustworthy and unreliable assertions, particularly on Islamic subjects.

[2] Engage more in worship ( 'Ibaadah)

The power of prayer is universally recognized, in particular we have to emphasis communal prayer, as well as engaging more in personal invocation and supplication to Allah ('Azza wa Jall). The Prophet Muhammad     صلى الله عليه وسلم         says "The hand of Allah is over the community"(ft.1). He is also famously reported to have said that prayer in congregation is twenty-seven times more virtuous than prayer alone. We emphasis the Friday prayer (Salaat Al Jumu'ah), as well as Fajr, Maghrib and 'Ishaa prayers, because in those prayers, the Imam is reciting the Quranic texts aloud. The recitation of the Qur'an, aloud, in worship of God, has an affect. It not only touches the soul, but prayer in congregation also creates ties of brotherhood which has no replica in any other worldly example. In other words, "community" and all that goes with it really does strengthen faith.

[3] Recognize that we have limitations to our understanding and comprehension

There are things, subjects and items which we will not always be able to get a complete understanding . That does not negate it's authenticity or importance. The Qur'an describes itself as a guide for the God-aware, who have qualities which include being "those who believe in the unseen"( Q 2: 3). The "unseen" (Ghayb) include things such as angels and Jinn, and even God! It is true that popular culture depicts all of these in some fashion, but the majority of those depictions are baseless, even if those depictions enter into the religious literature. (ft.2)

(4) Invoke Allah via du'aa

One of the salient features of Ramadan for most of us is Salaat At-Taraweeh. The Imam recites long Quranic passages, and typically offers Salaat Al-Witr, which has therein the Du'aa Al-Qunoot(ft.3).

I strongly recommend increasing in making du'aa. The supplications you make don't have any particular rules ( contrasting to the more formal salaah). They can be done at any time, place, in any language or format. The Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings of Allah be on him) says that du'aa is the core of worship. He also says that it is the "weapon of the believer" and is actually worship in and of itself.(ft.4).

We have in the Qur'an and hadeeth literature many supplications, which we can invoke God with. Those supplications not only are useful for invoking God, but they are useful in creating good feelings and in teaching us morals to be both internalized and expressed within the public life.


Mental Health Issues

There are many factors which create mental health issues, both internal as well as being created by external factors. Indeed, even watching the news on television can create stress. Spiritual doubts can be because of this as well, however we must emphasis that that is not always the case.

The external factors can include things beyond our control, such as societal breakdown due to war and economic hardships. Personal failures, legal issues, etc.

Recently we have had the suicide of a famous celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain. His decision to end his own life led to a flurry of discussions in the media on mental health issues, depression and suicide. Indeed, the Muslim community worldwide was shocked at the June 9th suicide at the Haram (Makkah Al-Mukarramah, the Masjid Al-Haram). Perhaps getting less attention, yet another person did the same less than a week later ( for which, see here) 

There are taboos against seeking out medical help, but those taboos are misplaced. If a person has to take certain medicines to deal with depression, to seek out therapy and the like, that is precisely what they have to do.


While the medical aspect has to be stated, we would also like to be considered the spiritual aspect. The Qur'an states "Say: it { Qur'an} is- for those with faith-  a guide and a healing" ( Q 41:44). It begins with Imaan, the spiritual foundation which recognizes the existence and power presence of Allah. If we have faith in God, that faith will be a help in whatever issues we are facing.

The ayah referenced above describes the Qur'an as "a guide" . This means that the Qur'an is a roadmap, a GPS of sorts. It does NOT tell us every single address, but it tells us in general what behavior to embrace and what behavior to   avoid. It has commands and prohibitions that are not arbitrary, they are for our long-term benefit.  In that sense, it is a "worldly guidance". But it is also a "religious guidance" in the sense that it tells us the religious truths that we are to be aware of, such as that God alone deserves worship, that the hereafter is true, that Allah has indeed sent prophets, etc.

So the worldly and the religious guidance both provide a broad protection. The follower of the Qur'an not only understands God-concept in a correct form, but he or she should also- as a consequence- have a healthy life, following what the Qur'an says.

Using the Qur'an to heal

The verse ( 41:44) also says it is a "healing" (shifaa). The process of healing happens at many levels, but I am suggesting here that the process of healing can be helped along by reciting the Qur'an, whatever Soorah or verses you know, and simply listening to its recitation. Youtube is a wonderful resource in terms of having beautiful voices reciting the words of Allah. It is true that Prophet Muhammad puts emphasis on particular texts ( such as Ayatul Kursiyy and the last three Soorahs of the Qur'an) but any other verses and texts work as well.

In dealing with depression, or with other mental stresses, please remember the Prophet Muhammad.  The Qur'an says about him

"Indeed, you have in the Messenger of God, a goodly model, for any who has hope in Allah, the final day, and contemplate on Allah much." ( Q 33:21).

In other words, if you feel all is hopeless, remember the Prophet. Allah- in essence- says "Look at MY Rasool".  The life of Muhammad was filled with turmoils. His mother died when he was six, and his father before his birth. At critical times, important people such as his wife (Khadijah) and uncle ('Abdul Muttalib) died. All of his children , with one exception (Fatimah), preceded him in death. This does not even take into consideration the various plots and enmity of the disbelievers after he began preaching the Quranic message.

Yet, he did not become bitter. It did not warp or damage him. He lived a healthy life. He forgave his enemies, and even did the funeral prayer (Salaat Al Janazah) for the leader of the hypocrites. His wives and children, the children of his followers, his community, all loved him and he them. There are so many examples of all of this, but the point is that the Prophet- by Allah's help and guidance, ultimately overcame his turmoils.

I would recommend taking a look at the chapters which make up the last section of the Qur'an. Many of them are Allah's communication to the Prophet in times of grief.

Among them are Soorah Ash sharh (chapter 94) and Ad-Duhaa ( chapter 93). Read the entirety of those short Soorahs, and try to recite them when feeling down.

Other ways to maintain mental and spiritual health include having goodly company, avoiding the company of the hateful and jealous types, community service ( such as feeding people), charity work and reconnecting to nature, such as trips to the beach, the park, cleaning one's living spaces, making them look pleasant. These are proven to be very effective.




Footnotes

(1) Another version of this hadeeth is "The hand of Allah is with the community". This version is more quoted in today's discourse, because of the presence of "with (Ma'a) " as opposed to" 'Alaa (Upon)". This writer prefers the version quoted, and pays no heed to the supposed theological problems with the term "upon". After all, the Qur'an uses the same sort of  expression "The  hand of Allah is over their hands "[Yadullahi Fawqa Aydeehim]. ( Q 48:10). None should see these terms in literal, physical fashion, so we need not be bothered with the debate over which preposition is appropriate, as both convey the same meaning, that God's help and guidance is for those who seek him.

(2) By "religious literature" we refer to some of the commentaries, particularly those penned in the middle ages, which may include fanciful legends to explain things in the Qur'an.  As a general principle, the Qur'an is very clear and does a wonderful job of self-explanation.

(3) The usage of Du'aa Qunoot varies according to the school of jurisprudence. The Shafi'ee school uses it in Fajr prayers as well as Witr prayer, but only on the last ten nights of Ramadan. The Hanafis recite it in Witr prayers, but so do silently (Sirri). The other Sunni schools recite it in Witr aloud (Jahri), and the Shiites recite Qunoot in every prayer. The word Qunoot basically means devotion and sincerity. Although tradition has ascribed the term Qunoot to a couple of beautiful Prophetic supplications, in fact any du'aa can be used, and indeed, many Imams do recite other Quranic supplications, supplications from the hadeeth literature and even of their own. All of the schools have their arguments and justifications for their practice , and- in my view- deserve respect.

(4) The hadeeth alluded to says "Du'aa is in fact worship" {Ad-du'aa u, Huwal Ibaadah).