Islamic Concept of Mental Health

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/22-3-14306

Some studies have indicated that psychological stress, an outcome of modern civilizalion, is associated with deterioration of mental health. In order to regain mental health, people in vain turn for help to the advocates of current psychological models viz. the behavioristic, the dynamic, or the humanistic ones. All these models have made limited contriburions since they have an erroneous view of human nature. A need is felt for a model which is based upon "the original" nature of man. This model, having the divine leachings as its source, is the Islamic one. Man is created in the best of stature because he possesses godly qualities within him. He only falls from this status when he disregards the goals of his life. Since all creation obey the laws of nature, all are unconsciously Muslims. The difficulty arises when man, who has the conscious aspect as well, refuses complete submission to his creator. This conflict results in loss of mental health. The concept of repression has no place in this model because in it, human urges are neither neglected nor given undue importance. Some Muslim psychologists may perhapsfind a reinforcement for this model by testing the hypothesis that the Muslim societies havefar less mental healrh problems than the non-Muslim societies.