The Qur'an as a Potential Source of Optimism and Therapeutic Aid for Individuals Afflicted with Mental Disorders

Abstract

The citing of Quranic verses for mental disorders like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and OCD have been witnessed to be practiced. This scholarly paper intends to kindle through the credibility of existing studies on therapeutic efficacy that the Qur’an illustrates for mental disorders. Additionally, this study would deal with probing into impact findings including engagement in activities concerned with listening, reciting, or memorizing the Holy Quran on mental well-being, stress levels, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, the discussion will be focused on impact findings regarding how Quranic recitation affects overall quality of life (QoL).

Full text

THE QUR’AN AND MENTAL HEALTH
The Qur'an as a Potential Source of Optimism and Therapeutic Aid for Individuals
Afflicted with Mental Disorders
Farhan Rasool
1
(Master of Arts, Psychology)
1
Department of Psychology, Lucknow University, Lucknow, Uar Pradesh, India. Farhanrasool87@yahoo.com
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THE QUR’AN AND MENTAL HEALTH
Abstract
The citing of Quranic verses for mental disorders like anxiety, depression,
schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been witnessed to be
practiced. This scholarly paper intends to kindle through the credibility of existing studies on
therapeutic efficacy that the Qur’an illustrates for mental disorders. Additionally, this study
would deal with probing into impact findings including engagement in activities concerned
with listening, reciting, or memorizing the Holy Quran on mental well-being, stress levels,
anxiety, and depression. Moreover, the discussion will be focused on impact findings
regarding how Quranic recitation affects overall quality of life (QoL).
Introduction
Mental health is one of the major concerns worldwide these days. According to the
World Health Organization, 970 million individuals worldwide, or 1 in every 8 people, had a
mental disorder in 2019 (GBD Results, n.d., as cited in World Health Organization: WHO,
2022), with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common. Due to the Corona
Virus Disease (COVID)-19 pandemic, the number of people suffering from anxiety and
depressive illnesses greatly increased in 2020 (World Health Organization: WHO, 2022).
The Qur'an, the holy book of Muslims, is believed to be a source of healing and
guidance. Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) has mentioned in the Qur'an, in several verses, that the
holy book is a guide and a source of healing for humanity. For example,
"The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur'an was revealed, a guidance to men
and clear proofs of the guidance" (The Qur’an, Chapter 2, verse 185).
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THE QUR’AN AND MENTAL HEALTH
"The Quran introduces itself as guidance for the worlds” (Chapter 3, verse 96). “And
We send down of the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe”
(Chapter 17, Verse 82).
Valuable evidence suggests that the Qur'an can be used as a treatment for various
mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and OCD. This paper will
discuss the available studies and their authenticity regarding the Qur'an and its treatment of
mental disorders. Additionally, this paper will focus on the limitations associated with the
same.
Methods
The methods used in this paper included reviewing numerous research articles from various
databases and websites, as well as examining multiple chapters of the Qur'an to identify
specific verses related to healing and treating mental disorders.
Results
There is a connection between religious beliefs and mental health outcomes. A
systematic review revealed a significant connection between religious beliefs, practices, and
mental health (AbdAleati et al., 2014). Another scientifically proven study suggests that
higher levels of religious involvement have a positive impact on mental health. It indicates
that individuals who are more religious experience lower levels of depression, suicidal
thoughts, and substance abuse. This implies that religious involvement acts as a protective
factor for mental well-being (Moreira-Almeida et al., 2006). Taking into consideration these
studies, the purpose of this paper is to provide readers with comprehensive and easily
accessible information about the Qur'an as a source of healing for mental issues.
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A study published in 2014 in the Journal of Religion and Health examined the impact
of reading the Quran aloud without musical accompaniment (known as Tartil) on the staff at
Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in southeast Iran. As a result of listening to the
Quran, there was a significant difference in the average mental health ratings between the test
and control groups (P = 0.037). Before and after the intervention, there were no significant
gender differences observed in the test group (P = 0.806). These findings suggest that
psychologists could recommend individuals to listen to the Quran in order to relax and
enhance their mental well-being (Mahjoob et al., 2014). Also, a systematic review was
conducted on articles published between 1990 and 2017. The researchers concluded that
recitation of the Qur'an can be considered a non-pharmacological treatment for reducing
anxiety (Ghiasi & Keramat, 2018).
Another study identified Surah Al-Rehman (‘Al’ is an Arabic word that refers to
‘The’), the 55th chapter of the Qur'an, as a potential remedy for depression. The study
investigated the effectiveness of Surah Al-Rehman, a rhythmic surah from the Quran, in
managing depression among Muslim women who were admitted for the treatment of major
depressive disorder in a psychiatry ward of a government hospital. The treatment group,
which listened to Surah Al-Rehman recited by Qari Abdul Basit, experienced a significantly
greater decrease in depression at the post-assessment level compared to the control group.
The study highlights the efficacy of Surah Al-Rehman as a remedy for reducing depression
and suggests that researchers should focus on finding remedies for other psychological and
physical ailments from Quranic verses. Further investigation into the mechanism by which
the effects of recitation are achieved can also be explored in future studies (Rafique et al.,
2017).
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One more systematic review reveals that listening to, reciting, or memorizing the
Quran is a helpful tool for reducing stress, depression, and anxiety, and improving the QoL
among Muslims. Further research is needed to expand this understanding (Rozali et al.,
2022).
According to an experimental study, the effectiveness of Quranic therapy in treating
psychological and spiritual diseases in patients was examined. A random sample of 121
patients was given verses from the Holy Quran to listen to, followed by a treatment program.
The study found that 92.6% of patients believed that the Quran had a significant healing
influence. Regular Quranic therapy sessions led to successful cures, and 81.8% of the
participants believed that the therapy met their health needs. The study emphasizes the
significance of patients' trust in their doctor or healer and underscores the importance of
Quranic therapy as a vital component of their lives (Saged et al., 2018). Recitation of the
Qur'an enhances psychological and memory performance, as well as physiological
parameters. It also reduces heart rate, anxiety, and stress, while improving mental health in
both children and adults (Hechehouche, 2020).
A semi-experimental study was conducted to compare the effects of listening to
instrumental music and Quran recitation on anxiety levels in patients with acute coronary
syndrome (ACS) at Hajar Hospital. The study involved 96 patients and utilized SPSS for data
analysis. Results showed that Quran recitation had a greater effect on patients' anxiety levels
than instrumental music, with the recitation of the Holy Quran having a stronger impact. Both
interventions can help decrease anxiety levels in patients with ACS, but the recitation of the
Holy Quran had a greater effect (Mohammadpoor et al., 2020). Another study examined
OCD and its treatment methods using Quranic verses. The study specifically focused on the
concept of waswas (doubts) mentioned in the Quran. Thematic content analysis revealed that
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THE QUR’AN AND MENTAL HEALTH
the discourse of five Quranic verses provides complementary solutions to OCD, making the
Quran-based OCD recovery process a valuable model for complementary treatment (Zaman
et al., 2022).
Spiritual Qur'anic and Emotional Freedom Technique (SQEFT) therapy significantly
reduced symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia, suggesting a decrease in clinical
symptoms attributed to increased alpha waves and heightened brain activity while listening to
the Qur'an (Rosyanti et al., 2019, as cited in Krismiati Gani R et al.). According to several
reports, reading Quranic verses instead of listening to other forms of music may enhance
alpha power, which is often associated with relaxation and mental calmness (Zulkurnaini et
al., 2012; Abdullah & Omar, 2011; Taha et al., 2014; Mohd Nasir & Wan Mahmud, 2015, as
cited in Kannan et al., 2022b). An electroencephalogram (EEG) study was conducted on 25
subjects, which revealed that higher alpha brainwaves are generated while listening to the
recitation of the Qur'an (Al-Galal & Alshaikhli, 2017).
Discussion
The relationship between religious beliefs and mental health shows that individuals
who are more religious and have faith in God tend to exhibit positive attitudes toward life and
well-being. This opens up the possibility of considering the Qur'an as a source of healing for
mental disorders. All the studies conducted so far indicate that the Qur'an can be used as a
therapeutic intervention for the treatment of mental disorders. Also, researchers and Islamic
scholars have emphasized that specific surahs (chapters) of the Qur'an can help in the
treatment of mental illnesses. One such surah is Surah Ad-Duha. This surah, Surah Ad-Duha,
was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) when he went six months without
receiving a revelation. The Prophet (PBUH) was troubled and dejected because he thought
Allah (SWT) disapproved of him and had forgotten about him. The English translation of the
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THE QUR’AN AND MENTAL HEALTH
word "Duha" itself alludes to morning, and the opening words or sentences of the surah are as
follows:
“By the forenoon (after sunrise),
And by the night when it is still (or darkens),
Your Lord (O Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)) has neither forsaken you nor hated
you” (Chapter 93, Surah Ad-Duha, verses 1-3).
The surah consists of 11 verses, and its main purpose is to offer solace and relief to
those who recite it. Mental health practitioners often refer to the concept of a new beginning,
or the morning after dark night. Here, the " night" refers to depression. Similarly, the Qur'an
emphasized this statement 1445 years ago by assuring Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) that
Allah (SWT) is with him. In other words, these verses serve as motivation and hope for the
reciter. When the reciter recites these verses or even listens to them, neurocognitive processes
occur rapidly. This is supported by the studies mentioned in the results section, which discuss
the presence of alpha brain waves.
Another surah, the earliest chapter of the Qur'an, Al-Fatiha, is a significant revelation
to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), encompassing concepts of tawhid, mercy, and guidance.
Reciting this sura can instill tranquility and alleviate mental anxiety, making it an effective
method for addressing anxiety-related concerns (Ali et al., 2018). Another study aimed to
reduce depression and increase immunity in students at Islamic Boarding Schools by training
them to recite the reflective and intuitive Al-Fatihah. The research utilized a pretest-posttest
control group design to measure stress levels using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale
(DASS) and immunity using a microscopic slide method. The results showed that the training
reduced depression and improved immunity. The study highlights the importance of
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THE QUR’AN AND MENTAL HEALTH
reflecting on the intuitive Al-Fatihah in changing a subject's perception of life problems,
enabling them to view life from a grounded perspective. This state of calmness is closely
linked to reading the Quran, which enhances overall well-being (Julianto & Subandi, 2015).
The concept of OCD in Islam is referred to as "waswas," which means the
whisperings of shaytan (Arabic word used for Satan). The term ‘Alwiswas' is an Arabic word
that alludes to ‘Obsessions' (Mohamed et al., 2015). The recitation of the Qur'an helps
individuals overcome OCD, as revealed by studies. Having faith in Allah (SWT) also matters
in this context, as it helps to listen to the Qur'an and interpret the meaning of its verses. This
can assure us that such obsessive thoughts are not from ourselves, but from Shaytan, who is
mentioned in the Qur'an as the enemy of mankind. As stated in the Qur'an, "Surely the
Shaitan is your enemy, so take him for an enemy" (Chapter 35, Verse 6). In terms of
cognitive aspects, studies have shown that when individuals listen to the Qur'an, they undergo
a calming experience that activates alpha brain waves. This leads to a sense of calmness and
helps maintain a healthy state of mind for overall mental well-being.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of the available data and scholarly literature, it
can be inferred that the Qur'an has the potential to be utilized as a therapeutic tool for treating
mental disorders and fostering a positive mindset.
Funding
The author declares that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the
preparation of this manuscript.
Competing Interest
The author has no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
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Acknowledgment
Not Applicable
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