by Noor Mizyed
March 4, 2022
Introduction
- Mental health disorders or mental illnesses are a wide range of mental conditions which are the state of a person's psychological, emotional, and social well being. They can be caused by life experiences, biological factors, family history, etc.
- What is anxiety and depression?
Anxiety: the excessive feeling of uneasiness, fear, restlessness and is not a temporary feeling that leaves someone overwhelmed.
Depression: A feeling of sadness and loss of interest but if you look into it further, it is a feeling of emptiness and numbness- where a person for a consecutive time period has a feeling of numbness.
It is important to seek professional help for these disorders in order to receive proper care. This can be done by going to a therapist or counselor. You can seek help from a professional that understands your background and culture. There are muslim therapists and counselors. We are living in a more diverse society so know that even if you did not go to one of your backgrounds they would still be able to help.
How can Islam help with mental disorders?
- Islam provides a form of spiritual sanctuary for muslims. The deen provides a feeling of comfort that would fulfill your spiritual needs through meditation, peace, positive thoughts, and creating a healthy consciousness.
- Why are we told to turn to Islam when anxious and depressed? Two things:
- Our connection or link to Allah (SWT) is through prayer and Quran.
Prayer
First thing you want to ask yourself is how can prayer help?
Salah is done through physical movements and recitations from the holy Quran. These supplications are done to show submission to Allah (SWT).
There are 3 points of salah. Reflection. Redemption. Renewal.
- Reflection- The acknowledgement and remembrance of Allah. You sit and think. Through detaching yourself and focusing on the connection.
- Redemption- Emerges after reflection. You act. You seeking forgiveness. Take a moment to thank Allah with your undivided attention.
- Renewal- spiritual rejuvenation. It brings a feeling of ease, you feel clean, you feel peace (salam). Feeling at peace is obtained through submission to Allah.