The Quran is fundamentally for all humanity, not just for Muslims. While humans can be very different from one another, we can all desire a better life, and the Quran can show us how to do this. The Quran provides not only wisdom but also speaks to our intellect. One major reason for this is that the Quran provides numerous lessons that were well before the modern understanding of psychology. These lessons, that we learn from the Quran, help us to clarify our feelings, actions, and thoughts, particularly when it has to do with our human experience of emotion.
In this blog, I would like to present ten lessons of great importance from the Quran. Each lesson is closely related to the experience of how the mind and feelings work. Each lesson will assist you in gaining greater balance, clarity, and peace of mind and life.
Read more: Day of Arafah: A Gift of Divine Mercy
Knowing Yourself Is The First Step
The Quran states in Surah Al-Hashr (59:19)
This serves as a deep reminder. When we forget Allah, we forget who we are. Also, from psychology, self-awareness is the first step of healing. Before we heal, we must first become pathologically aware of who we truly are. The more you know yourself, the more you understand yourself. When you learn about yourself, you learn about the thoughts that lead to how we engage in and behave in the world.
For this reason, spending time on self-awareness activities contributes to your personal growth. Self-awareness activities are also a big area of how we learn to regulate our emotions. They can even positively impact our friendships and romantic relationships. Instead of worrying about what others think about your self-awareness thinking, begin your self-awareness journey by simply finding out about yourself. Then spend time contemplating your behaviors and the motivations behind your actions. These little things can turn your life around.
Gratitude Boosts Mental Health
Allah says in the Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim (14:7): “If you are grateful, I will most certainly increase you.”
Gratitude helps to shift our focus. Rather than focusing on what you don’t have, you start noticing what you do have. Psychology shows that gratitude lowers stress. It also increases happiness. Grateful individuals tend to stall sleep better. They feel less anxious. They even manage pain better.
Get in the habit of saying “Alhamdulillah” as often as you can. You can also keep a gratitude journal. Make a habit of writing three things that you are blessed with daily. This tiny act will create a profound change in your heart.
Patience Is Strength, Not Weakness
God tells us many times throughout the Qur’an that we need to have patience. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:153) he says:
“Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”
Being patient does not mean not doing anything. It simply means being calm in difficult moments. Psychologists use the term emotional regulation to mean the same thing we want to accomplish when we are told to be patient. When we can be patient, we have the chance to “notice” that we are not reacting out of anger or fear.
Research shows that patient people make better decisions, live with less stress, and have greater emotional resilience. To practice patience, take a minute to stop before you act. Take a deep breath (or two) and then act appropriately.
Forgiveness is Healing for the Heart
Allah says in Surah Al-Nur (24:22):
“Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love for Allah to forgive you?”
Forgiveness is not simply for others’ benefit; it is for your peace of mind. Keeping a grudge hurts you. It creates stress and tension, and all of this is even psychological. When you forgive someone, that is partly for your benefit. You also experience mental clarity. When you dump anger, you feel lighter. Begin by forgiving small items, and gradually you will build your muscle to forgive more significant matters.
Negative Thoughts Are From Shaytan
The Quran teaches us in Surah An-Nas to seek protection: “From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws.”
Shaytan whispers negative thoughts into our minds. Shaytan intends to demonstrate there is no hope, and psychology might refer to these negative thoughts as “cognitive distortions,” false thoughts that we begin to believe. Examples would be “I am not good enough” or “Nobody cares about me”. To counteract negative thoughts, challenge the thoughts. Replace those negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Use dhikr to shield your mind. Saying “A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim”.
Hope Is Always More Powerful Than Despair
In Surah Az-Zumar (39:53), Allah says:
“Do not despair of the mercy of Allah.”
Despair feels heavy. It tells you to quit. But Allah tells you to hang on. Indeed, no matter how bad your life may get, hope will always be present.
Psychologists even refer to hope as a “protective factor.” It protects you from depression and anxiety. Hope provides you with the energy to keep moving forward. Remind yourself of the following truths: every problem has a solution. Have faith that the situation can change. Allah’s mercy will always be close.
وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ (Surah Yusuf, Quran 12:87 )
Say Good Words Or Remain Silent
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
The Quran states in Surah Qaf (50:18): “Not a single word does he utter, but there is an observer next to him and a readiness to record it.”
Words can heal or harm. Psychology also reminds us words can do damage too, via negative speech. For example, gossiping, complaining, and yelling harm your mind. They also harvest more stress and guilt. Speaking with kindness harvests love and peace. Try to watch your words. Be mindful. Count to ten before you say something. Or, as they say, if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all.
Trusting in Allah Decreases Worry
In Surah At-Talaq (65:3) Allah says:
“And whoever relies upon Allah, then He is sufficient for him.”
Worry comes from a desire to control everything, when in fact we cannot control anything about life. Psychology calls this process “letting go,” and this strategy reduces anxiety. When you trust in Allah, you feel at peace in your heart. It says to your heart, “I have done my part and now Allah is doing the rest.” When life seems overwhelming, say “Tawakkaltu ‘ala Allah.” When you give your problems to Allah, you will feel the weight of the world immediately lift from your shoulders.
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
Allah does not burden a soul more than it can handle. (Surah Baqarah, Quran 2:286 )
Good Company Affects Our Mental Health
In Surah Al-Kahf (18:28) Allah says:
“Keep yourself patient with those who call upon their Lord…”
The people we are around influence our thinking. When we have kind-hearted friends, we tend to feel happiness. When we have friends who gossip or complain, our mental state can feel anxious. Psychology calls this “social influence.” You become most like the people you are around. Pick friends who lift you. Be in the company of people who remember Allah. Good company brings good emotions to reflect on. A good company also keeps you out of major sin.
Repentance Purifies the Mind and Heart
Allah says (66:8) in Surah At-Tahrim: “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.”
Everyone makes mistakes. That’s part of being human. But guilt can poison your mind. The truth is that psychology states that guilt will create anxiety, disappointment, and sadness. Fortunately, the Quran offers its readers an escape. Repentance is a means of healing. When you seek forgiveness and make it with sincerity, your heart becomes cleansed. Pray two rakats of prayer. Cry if you need to. Say all you need to say to Allah. You can feel the weight lift off of your heart.
Conclusion
The Quran is a source of healing. It better understands the human mind than any book. Every lesson in the book connects to your life. Through the course of these 10 lessons, you’ve seen how the Quran intersects deeply with psychology. Each verse presents a key to better mental health. Each teaching shines a light on the confusion.
Make sure to use these lessons in your daily lives. Reflect on them. Share with your family and friends. Allow the Quran to be your guide, your comfort, and your therapist. Always remember, your mind and heart deserve peace. The Quran already has the road map. All you have to do is follow it—step by step, verse by verse. Hence, always remember—Allah is closer than you think.
