Islam and Mental Health

Islam and Mental Health

By

Gavin AbdulHamid Bushe

Mental Health is a growing concern among people in the Western World.  It is estimated that one-in-four people will at some stage in their lives suffer from a mental health problem.  There are many possible ways to address mental health concerns and the chief among them in the West is called Psychiatry, of which the dominant medical model utilises pharmaceuticals to remedy the mental health problems.  As a man diagnosed by psychiatry since 1995 I have not found the Psychiatric approach helpful.  Rather, since converting to Islam in 2006 I have been able to greatly improve my mental health via its practice.  I will now briefly outline in simple terms why Islam is excellent for improving one’s mental health.

Self-Care Regime

Islam in the broadest sense is a complete way of life.  However in relation to mental health in particular it is a system of personal self-care.  The main benefit of Islamic personal self-care is that it is completely free-of-charge whereas Psychiatric Services cost money and time of other people.  Once a person learns the basic 5 Pillars of Islam he or she is then able to gain the mental health benefits of its daily practice.  Islam assumes at a bare minimum clothing, water, and basic food.  Indeed I was able to practice Islam while I was in a state of homelessness.


The first major way that Islam improves mental health is through belief in Divine Mercy.  This is established through the testimony of faith (Shahada).  Islam understands that the universe is ruled by One Single Omnipotent God who is Entirely Merciful, Especially Merciful.  Therefore Islam provides hope to its practitioners.  Through Islam I was able to overcome the Limbo of living in a homeless shelter for 20 months because my faith gave me the ability to endure marginalisation and other challenges at that time.  There are many suicides in the world we live in and hope and faith are immensely important to people who fall into despair during the trials of life on Earth.  Belief in Allah gives a practitioner of Islam a source of hope to turn to in times of crisis.

The second way that Islam promotes mental health is through its practice of 5 times daily prayer.  The requirement for this prayer is ritual bathing with water or ablution (Wudu).  Before each prayer the practitioner must wash his or her hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, scalp, ears, and feet.  This promotes cleanliness and personal hygiene which protects against bacteria and is good skin-care.  Brushing of teeth before prayer is good for oral-hygiene.  This practice of being clean and hygienic makes a human being feel good about themselves.

During the prayer the practitioner recites The Holy Qur’an sometimes aloud and sometimes within himself.  This is good for keeping the mind strong due to the cognitive articulation required and it promotes mental resilience.  The minds of many people suffering from mental health problems are structurally weakened by trauma, and reciting The Holy Qur’an reinforces the mind’s abilities to cognate and structure thoughts through mental precision and acuity.

The body movements of the ritual prayer are good for suppleness of the physique.  Since the mind and the body are related, the improvement in the flexibility and stretching of muscles of the practitioner due to prayer aids mental wellness by easing tension.  It also helps with joints which makes movement easier.

Reciting the Call-to-Prayer (Adhan) is good for improving mood and keeps away evil spirits (Jinn) who can cause mental distress.  The Call-to-Prayer causes Jinn to run away from the area in which it is announced.  This is very beneficial to people who have been troubled and traumatised by these spirits and alien entities.

The Islamic diet precludes harmful foods such as alcohol that can harm the mind.  Islam forbids narcotics which are clearly dangerous to the human mind and can ruin a person’s entire life.  Islam also forbids consuming blood from animals such as in black pudding or certain sausages, etc. because it is an impure substance containing many chemicals from the animals’ bodies.  Islam additionally discourages eating to excess which can cause weight-associated problems.  Islam encourages the eating of pure foods such as dates and milk, fruits, nuts, and honey, Zamzam water from Mecca which is a blessed spring from Allah to his servant Hajar the wife of Prophet Abraham (Peace be upon him); also halal meat which is good for humans.

Social-Care Regime

Mental Health is also psycho-social.  The rules of Islam are able to protect its practitioners from evil in society through rules such as marriage, modesty in dress, community charity (Zakat) which form the foundation of good social relations between members of society.  The Holy Qur’an is a guidance in 114 Chapters (Surahs) and combined with the practices (Sunna) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) provides excellent insights to the practitioner of Islam.  These insights can clear-up many mental confusions that people can suffer from.

The Islamic month of Ramadan brings people together in community which counters social exclusion which is a major factor in mental health problems.  The practitioners of Islam fast by abstaining from needs and wants for 30 full days each year.  This fasting (Saum) increases resilience, a core concept in mental health.

Islam encourages the engaging in science and learning and this provides a strong thinking ability for the practitioners.  Education enhances intrapersonal development by providing personal growth and development.  Practitioners of Islam are encouraged not to waste too much of their time on parties and entertainments.  Rather they are to fulfil their time on Earth according to a test before being judged after death.  This places life in a certain perspective that tends to foster a healthy attitude to living.  The epitome of this attitude can be practiced on the Hajj Pilgrimage in Mecca.  This is a gigantic social ritual which brings people from all over the globe together in one place for approximately two weeks each year.  The pilgrimage to Mecca promotes patience, wisdom through fear of Allah, and social solidarity.  These are qualities that help overcome problems due to isolation, fear of environment, and the ups-and-downs of real life.

Islam demands struggle against the self (Jihad Al-Akbar – Greater Struggle) and this is the best way to overcome personal problems.  It is what a psychotherapist would call “working on yourself”.  Ultimately Islam is designed to achieve peace of mind through submission to the Will of Allah.  That is a more excellent and genuine peace in my opinion that the sedation caused by pharmaceuticals.

 

In summary Islam aids Mental Health by providing a Divinely-Constructed system of life for the benefit of human beings.  It is free to use and all humanity is invited to join the Islamic Straight Path.