THE QURA’N SHARIF : A SOURCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
The Qur’an tackles the different aspects of the human character, whether physical, psychic, or spiritual, and deals with all spheres of man’s life.
Tackling these aspects and describing how they should be in harmony with each other guides man to lead a balanced life in which he is motivated to be positive and active.
For instance, Allah Almighty draws man’s attention to the fact that all things in the Heavens and the earth are subjected to Him, so that he may make use of them for his interest and reflect upon the truth behind their creation.
Allah Almighty says:
“And has made of service unto you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; it is all from Him. Lo! Herein verily are portents for people who reflect.” (Al-Jathiyah 45:13)
Allah Almighty also warns man against the consequences of yielding to the base desires and the temptations of this life. This is implied in His words:
“Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and off- spring, and stored up heaps of gold and silver, and horses branded (with their mark), and cattle and land. That is comfort of the life of the world.
Allah! With Him is the excellent abode.” (Aal Imran 3:14)
The healthy character, according to the Qur’an, is the one marked by under- taking its responsibilities in this life within the available capabilities and potentials. Allah Almighty says: “Allah tasks not a soul beyond its scope.” (Al-Baqarah 2:286).
“And strive for Allah as is the true striving for Him. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship.” (Al-Hajj 22:78)
True faith moulds a person s character and gives it all lofty qualities.
When we refer to the Qur’an we find true believers portrayed as faithful, truthful, worthy of others respect, forgiving, generous, honest, and so on.
These noble qualities bring one peace of mind, enhance one’s ability to give, and make one more active and positive in this life.
Thus it is Allah’s words that guide us to the perfection of personality:
“Should He not know what He created? And He is the Subtle, the Aware.”
(Al-Mulk 67:1.4)
The Qur’an: A Healing of Hearts:
Allah Almighty says: “We reveal of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy for believers.” (Al-Israa 17:82)
The choice of the word healing, versus treatment, for instance, here is precise in conveying what is meant by the original equivalent in Arabic. A treatment of a disease (be it physical or spiritual) may or may not be effective, but when we describe something as healing, we mean it is effective in curing the disease in question. When one sincerely recites the Qur’an, one is in the presence of Allah the Healer of all wounds. Allah Almighty heals the believers of the distress that may afflict their hearts due to the conspiracies the unbelievers contrive against them. So did Almighty Allah with Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) when he got extremely distressed because of the conspiracies of the polytheists and Jews and their false statements about Allah the Exalted.
Almighty Allah solaces by revealing to him verses such as “Naught of disaster befalls in the earth or in yourselves but it is in a Book before We bring it into being Lo! That is easy for Allah.” (Al-Hadid 57:22)
“We do indeed know that your heart is distressed at what they say. But celebrate the praises of your Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration. And serve your Lord until there come unto you the hour that is certain.” (Al-Hijr 15:97-99)
THREE CURES OF HEARTS DISTRESS:
These last verses of Surat Al-Hijr guide us to three cures of hearts distress:
The first cure is to praise Almighty Allah and glorify Him every now and then. Glorification of Almighty Allah really has to do with relieving a person’s distress and delivering him of the calamities that may afflict him:
So was the case with Prophet Yunus (alayhis salaam) who was swallowed by a big fish but Almighty Allah saved him from it. Allah says about this incident:
“And had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah), He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised” (As-Saffat 37:143-44)
There is indeed a strong relation between glorifying Almighty Allah and one’s feeling of comfort and relief, as well as of bodily strength. This is indicated by the following Hadith:
“Fatimah (radhiyallahu anha), daughter of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) came to him and asked for a servant to help her in doing the household, work. He (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, ‘May I not direct you to what is better than the servant for you?’ She answered in the affirmative. He (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) then said, ‘Say SubhanAllah (glory be to Allah) 33 times, Al-Hamdulillah (praise be to Allah) 33 times, and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) 34 times as you go to bed.’ When Fatimah (radhiyallahu anha) did so, she felt strength in her body and was able to do all the household work by herself.”
The second cure referred to in the above verses of Surat Al-Hijr is prostrating oneself to Almighty Allah. This prostration is reflected in submission of one s heart and soul as well as physical submission during Prayer. When a person prostrates himself in utter submission to Almighty Allah, he forgets all about the worldly ill-feelings of hatred, envy, etc., and experiences lofty spiritual feelings. That is why the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), when feeling any distress, would call, “O Bilal! (Get up and) comfort us with it (the Prayer).”
The third cure is to stick to serving and obeying Almighty Allah in preparation for The hour that is certain, that is, death. Hence, adherence to glorifying Almighty Allah and submission to Him Most High heart and soul throughout one’s life is the way that brings one inner happiness and peace of mind and delivers one from distress and life pressures.
