Management of Anxiety and Depression: An Islamic Perspective
Management of Anxiety and Depression: An Islamic Perspective
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Date
2025-04
Authors
Elzubaeir Beshier Taha
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Publisher
Napata College
Abstract
Under the title of “Sudd-ul-Hamm” or repelling worries Ibn -al -Quayim (IQM) made his
contribution in managing what we now diagnose as anxiety and depression.
IQM defined Hamm as worries in the heart about possible future threats and /or distress because
of past afflictions
Ibn al-Qayyim’s psychotherapeutic theory may be compiled as follows:
1- Human nature is characterized by a will to satisfy needs and desires
2- Human behavior is characterized by successive endeavors to satisfy these desires. Prophet
Mohammed peace be upon him is reported to have said that the truest of names are al-Harith
and al-Humam.
3- Humans are amenable to suffering distress because of loss and / or worry about possible future
afflictions
4- Emotional well-being depends on (daf’ul-ham) which may roughly translate as repelling
frustration.
5- Al-hamm corresponds to both anxiety and depression as Ibn al-Qayyim refers repeatedly to
worries of past losses and future worries.
7- Having recourse to Allah is emphasized primarily in the internalization of the articles of faith
and the conceptualization of the five pillars of Islam including Salat (Prayers)
8- Thus, Salah as an exemplary session of mindfulness carried out at least five times a day is a
perfect exercise with all the requirements of distraction-free order where calm and serenity is
the norm, lowering the gaze and confining all the senses to the prayer tasks at hand: A typical
manifestation of mindfulness. The prophetic Hadith goes “come to salah with tranquility and
dignity”
9- But of course, there is more to salat and to components of other acts of worship than sheer
mindfulness. Their benefits go way beyond sheer ridding oneself of despair or
psychopathology. Acts of worship are ladders of ascension to higher levels of spiritual
experience and communion with the Almighty. Acts of worship and observance of religious
injunctions have always been associated with the consummation of character. It can be said
that IQA’s theory of motivation has bridged the gap between psychology and ethics
6- The best defense is always to have recourse to Allah.
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Special Article