The Qur'an & Emotional Health: An Introduction

By Ezra Hewing and Frank Clarke

The Qur'an & Emotional Health: An Introduction is a unique and accessible resource, designed to meet the emotional health and mental wellbeing needs of Muslims.

Following precedents established in the Qur’an and the Hadith – teachings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) - the booklet draws upon the rich heritage of Islamic psychology and modern knowledge about the givens of human nature.

By outlining emotional and mental health needs in an Islamic context, it also supports health and social care professionals to work more effectively with Muslims and Muslim communities.



The booklet contains clear information, advice and guidance on:



The importance of Emotional Wellbeing in the Qur’an

 Speaking to your GP

 Medical terms and what they mean: stress & anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD and more

 Practical advice and guidance on securing emotional wellbeing

 Your Emotional Needs & Resources

 Healing the nafs – the self - with practical steps and techniques

 A glossary of technical terms for non-Muslims health care professionals



What people have said about ‘The Qur’an & Emotional Health: An Introduction’:



“Until now, there has been very little bringing mental health and Islam together in this format.”

Service manager working within Muslim communities



“A good opener to any therapeutic intervention. An excellent educational resource for all.”

Integrative counsellor and group facilitator



“The resources and tools in the booklet give me an invaluable ‘foot in the door’ for working more effectively.” Caring services worker



The Qur'an & Emotional Health: An Introduction has been produced in partnership between Suffolk Mind (Registered Charity No. 1003061) and Ipswich & Suffolk Muslim Council. All proceeds support the project aims of good mental health and wellbeing for Muslims and Muslim communities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Suffolk Mind
• Release date: May 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781783014514

Book preview

"Seeking knowledge is obligatory

on all Muslims, both men and women."

– Hadith

CONTENTS

The Qur’an & Emotional Wellbeing

Speaking to your GP

Stress

What is Depression?

Different Types of Depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Psychosis & Schizophrenia

Phobias

What is a Panic Attack?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Our Emotional Needs

Our Resources – Gifts from Allah (SWT)

What Prevents Needs from Being Met

Healing the Nafs

Diet & Exercise

Relaxing our Breathing

Salat & Dhikr

Changing our Thinking

Glossary

Meeting Emotional Needs

Services

Islamic Organisations in the UK

Training

Further Reading

THE QUR’AN & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

And We send down, of the Quran, that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers.

– QUR’AN: Sura Al-Isra, verse 82

ISLAM HAS ALWAYS valued the importance of good mental health and emotional wellbeing. As well as being a revelation from God, for Muslims the Qur’an is a mercy to those suffering with emotional distress and leads the way to a meaningful quality of life.

Over a thousand years before the development of western psychology, the psychological language of the Qur’an described destructive emotions and harmful conditioning as the nafs al-ammara or, the commanding self. As a source of healing, the Qur’an can guide a person to overcome the inner turmoil caused by the nafs al-ammara and bring the Peaceful Self or nafs al-mutmainna into being.

Since it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the Qur’an’s essential guiding principles have helped Muslims restore balance to their lives and secure their