The Beauty of Islam: Through a Psychiatrist’s Perspective

Assalamu Alaikum!

The Compassion of Islam in Mental Health

From an early age, my father shared his reflections on the beauty of Islam with me, shaped by his perspective as a psychiatrist. In his years of practice, he has seen many individuals struggle with mental health challenges, sometimes feeling overwhelmed by life’s difficulties. It is in these moments that the compassion of Islam becomes so powerful.

The Importance of Self-Compassion

Compassion is a common theme in Islam, as we are taught to not only be compassionate to others but to ourselves too which most people forget. Life can reach a stage where sometimes, you may not feel that you deserve compassion, but you always do. Even if we are not compassionate towards ourselves, Ar-Rahman always will be and we can’t forget that. Knowing this itself and reminding yourself that Allah is always watching over and intends the best for us is sufficient to continue pushing through life’s challenges – it is often said that worry ends when faith begins.

Islam’s Practical Approach to Mental Health

Islam not only offers us spiritual solutions to our problems, it also gives practical advice. Contrary to most cultures, Islam doesn’t and never has stigmatised mental health. Our Prophet SAW said that there is a remedy for every ailment which we should use when needed, and that includes treatment for mental health conditions.

The importance of having a community and a good social circle around you that is supportive and understanding is also encouraged in our Deen in all aspects of life - which is why there is such emphasis on unity in our Ummah. While a strong community can provide valuable support, it is equally important to prioritise self-care in order to support ourselves and those around us as we are told that our body has a right over us that we must acknowledge. Just spending some time each day to prioritise our mental, physical and spiritual health even if it's something small like going to the gym or reflecting on our thoughts can make a big difference in our well-being.

Islam’s Influence on Modern Mental Health Treatments

The mental health support and treatment we see being offered today from antidepressants to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) all take their inspiration from Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi, a Muslim scholar who realised the importance of a healthy mind and soul for our well-being.

Born in 850 CE in present-day Afghanistan during the Islamic Golden Age, Al-Balkhi made pioneering contributions in the field of psychology alongside his many other scientific contributions. He was the first man to put forward the concept of diagnosing psychiatric disorders such as depression and phobias and also proposed the idea of cognitive therapy almost 1200 years ago. For some context, the increased mental health awareness and leading treatments that we see in the West today only began to become prominent from the 19th century.

Creating a Culture of Support and Understanding

The concepts discussed above were seeds planted in my thoughts from conversations with my father which I am and will always be grateful for, and I thought that it might be helpful to share with our wider community. Islam is a beautiful religion that offers clarity to us in all aspects of our lives, if we choose to truly honour and follow it in the correct way. Our faith offers guidance and clarity in all aspects of life—if we choose to embrace it fully. Mental health should never be ignored or hidden away; instead, we should openly support one another, creating a culture where people feel safe to share their struggles. A simple act of kindness—checking in on a loved one—can make all the difference.

"Whoever relieves a believer’s distress, Allah will relieve his distress on the Day of Judgment."

~ Qurrat-Ul-Ain (Annie) Babar