Healing In Islam: A Psychological Perspective

Abstract

According to Smith and Segal (2011) being mentally and emotionally healthy does not preclude the experiences of life which cannot be controlled. The dwelling of man into the sojourn of this world poses different challenges ranging from physical, mental, emotional, socio-cultural and spiritual. Hence, to be emotionally and mentally healthy amidst these challenges, individuals must possess appropriate tools that will help them remain focused, flexible and creative in both bad and good times. Therefore, psychologists are often more interested in preventing mental disorders and improving mental health through different strategies including traditional spiritual approach. In Islam, There is a tremendous connection between the soul and what the body suffers due to physical diseases. Evil forces take control of the body when it experiences such diseases and ailments, unless the person repels it with an even stronger power, such as remembering Allah, supplicating to Him, invoking and pleading to Him, giving in charity (Sadaqah) and reciting the Quran. In this case, angels will descend and will defeat and neutralize the evil effects of the devilish souls (evil forces). Consequently, this paper wishes to critically examine the process of healing in Islam, its influence on individual’s psychological well-being, its challenges and prospects in psychology and relevant recommendations were made towards restoration of individual’s mental health.

Keywords: Health, Healing, Medicine, Prophetic Medicine, Islamic healing approach