Mental Health in Islam: Seven Pillars of a Balanced Personality
The methodology of Islam achieves the pillars of mental health in building the personality of the Muslim by developing these fundamental qualities:
1. Strong Connection with Allah Almighty
This is an essential matter in building the Muslim from the early stages of life so that his life becomes free from anxiety and psychological disturbances. This connection with Allah Almighty is strengthened by implementing what came in the advice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to Abdullah ibn Abbas:
“O young boy, I will teach you some words: Be mindful of Allah Almighty, and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah Almighty, and you will find Him before you. If you ask, then ask Allah Almighty; and if you seek help, seek help from Allah Almighty. Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah Almighty has already written for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah Almighty has already written against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.”
Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, who said: a good and authentic hadith. In another narration, it is added:
“Be mindful of Allah Almighty, and you will find Him in front of you. Get to know Allah Almighty in times of ease, and He will know you in times of hardship. And know that what has missed you was never going to befall you, and what has befallen you was never going to miss you. And know that victory comes with patience, relief comes with hardship, and with difficulty comes ease.”
2. Stability and Emotional Balance
Faith in Allah Almighty spreads tranquility, stability, and balance in the heart and protects the Muslim from anxiety, fear, and disturbance. Allah Almighty says:
“Allah Almighty keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter.”
He also says:
“Whoever follows My guidance—there will be no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.”
And:
“It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith.”
3. Patience in Times of Hardship
Islam nurtures in the believer the spirit of patience during trials when he remembers the saying of Allah Almighty:
“And the patient in poverty and hardship and during battle—those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.”
And the saying of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
“How amazing is the affair of the believer! Indeed, all of his affair is good, and this is not for anyone except the believer. If something good happens to him, he is grateful, and that is good for him; and if something harmful happens to him, he is patient, and that is good for him.” (1)
4. Flexibility in Facing Reality
This is one of the most important qualities that protects human from anxiety and disturbance when reflecting on the saying of Allah Almighty:
“Perhaps you dislike something while it is good for you, and perhaps you love something while it is bad for you. And Allah Almighty knows, while you do not know.”
5. Optimis and Avoiding Despair
The believer is always optimistic, and despair does not enter his soul. Allah Almighty says:
“And do not despair of relief from Allah Almighty. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah Almighty except the disbelieving people.”
Allah Almighty reassures the believers that He is always with them: if they ask Him, He is near and responds to them when they call upon Him:
“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.”
This represents the peak of psychological security for human.
(1) Narrated by Ahmad (23930) with slight variation and in a longer form, and also narrated by Muslim (2999) in a similar wording. This hadith encourages faith and shows that the believer is always in goodness and blessing. It also encourages patience during hardship, which is a quality of believers. If you find yourself patient and seeking reward from Allah Almighty during hardship, waiting for relief from Allah Almighty, then that is a sign of faith. If you see the opposite, then blame yourself, correct your path, and repent to Allah Almighty. The hadith also encourages gratitude in times of ease, as gratitude is a cause for increasing blessings.
6. Harmony of the Muslim with Himself
Islam uniquely sets the age of accountability at puberty for the Muslim. This age usually comes earlier than the age of social maturity determined by man-made systems. Thus, the Muslim begins his practical life with a suitable foundation of sound psychological principles that enable him to control his desires and instincts and grant him a high degree of self-satisfaction, thanks to faith and proper religious upbringing that awakens his conscience and strengthens his connection with Allah Almighty.
7. Harmony of the Muslim with Others
Life among Muslims is a life of cooperation in righteousness and piety. Tolerance is the path that increases affection among them and removes hatred. Controlling anger and forgiving others are signs of piety toward Allah Almighty and strong psychological balance. Allah Almighty says:
“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] with that which is better, and then the one between whom and you there was enmity will become as though he was a devoted friend. But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].” [Fussilat: 34–35]
Chapter Summary
The methodology of Islam achieves the pillars of mental health in building the Muslim personality by developing these essential qualities such as: strong connection with Allah Almighty, stability and emotional balance, patience in hardship, flexibility in facing reality, and harmony of the Muslim with himself and with others.