The Holy Quran encourages us to be optimistic, purposeful, rational, responsible, realistic, patient and compassionate. Part 1 of this article explores the Quran’s psychological wisdom related to optimism, purpose, and rational thinking.
Verses That Encourage an Optimistic Attitude
The Holy Quran encourages us to think positively and hopefully. Positive thinking leads to a healthy mental state that results in positive actions.
- Allah assures us that He will respond to our prayers:
“When my servants question you about Me, tell them that I am near. I answer their prayers when they call on Me; let them answer My call. Let them trust in Me, that they may be guided along the path of righteousness.” (2:186)
“And your Lord said, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you.”(40:60)
- Allah assures us that He does not want difficulty for us, but He wants to purify us:
“Allah does not want difficulty for you, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His favor upon you, that you may be grateful.” (end of Quranic verse 5:6)
- Allah encourages us to place our trust in Him:
“If Allah helps you, none can overcome you. If He forsakes you, who is there, afterward, that can help you? In Allah, then, let the believers put their trust.” (3:160)
“Now all the (false gods) are an enemy to me, except the Lord of the worlds: it is He who has created me, and so it is He who guides me; it is He who gives me to eat and drink, and whenever I am sick it is He who heals me; and it is He who makes me to die and then will bring me to life. And upon Him, I pin my hope that he will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.” (26: 77-82)
- Allah repeatedly reminds us to seek His Forgiveness and to never lose hope in His Mercy:
“And seek God’s forgiveness! Truly God is much forgiving and Merciful.” (2:199)
“Whoso does evil or oppresses his own self and thereafter seeks God’s forgiveness shall find God most Forgiving, Merciful.” (4:110)
“Say: ‘My servants, you who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Truly Allah forgives all wrong actions. He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.’” (39:53)
- Allah encourages us to look for opportunities to be grateful, as shown by the example of Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh):
Once (a jinn) who had knowledge of the Scripture said: “I will fetch it (the throne of the Queen of Sheba) to you in the twinkling of an eye.” As soon as Solomon saw the throne set before him, he said: “This is of the grace of my Lord that He may test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Free of all Need, Generous Beyond Accounting.” (27:40)
- Allah encourages us to never lose hope during difficult times:
“…And whosoever fears Allah…He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine…” (65:2-3)
“After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.” (65:7)
Verses that Encourage a Purposeful Attitude
Having a life purpose is the key to a healthy mind and a fulfilling life. The Holy Quran teaches us that our life’s purpose is to seek the pleasure of Allah and that true success is achieving Allah’s approval in the next world:
- Allah reminds us that we must live for Him:
“Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.’” (6:162)
- Allah encourages us to do good deeds solely for His pleasure:
“Those who spend their wealth in self-purification, and have in their minds no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected, but have only the desire to seek the pleasure of their Lord Most High, soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction.” (92:18-21)
- Allah defines true success:
“Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.” (3:185)
Verses that Encourage a Rational Attitude
The Holy Quran encourages us to use our reason and logic to solve life’s problems, and to not allow our emotions to cloud our better judgment.
- Allah encourages us to use our hearts to reason about the world around us:
“And how many a city did We destroy while it was committing wrong – so it is [now] fallen into ruin – and [how many] an abandoned well and [how many] a lofty palace?
So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.” (22:45-46)
- Allah encourages us to not follow blindly the actions of the people around us:
“When they are told, ‘Follow what God has revealed herein,’ they say, ‘We follow only what we found our parents doing.’ What if their parents did not understand, and were not guided?” (2:170).
- Allah encourages us to seek the ideas of others when we are not sure what to do:
“…And consult them in the matter. Then, when you have taken a decision, rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely (upon Him).” (3:159)
- Allah reminds us that we never truly know what is best for us because only Allah is All-Knowing:
“…Perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not” (Holy Quran 2:216).
Psychological Wisdom in the Holy Quran: (Part 2)
TEHRAN (IQNA) – In Part 1, we learned about the psychological wisdom in the Holy Quran related to optimism, purpose, and rationality. Part 2 discusses Quranic verses about responsibility, realism, confidence, patience, gentleness, compassion, and forgiveness.
Psychologically healthy people take responsibility for their actions and lives. Allah teaches that:
We need to change ourselves in order to see positive change in our lives:
“Surely Allah does not change the conditions in which a people are in until they change that which is in themselves” (13:11).
We should not make excuses for our misdeeds:
“Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves – [the angels] will say, “In what [condition] were you?” They will say, “We were oppressed in the land.” The angels will say, “Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?” (4:97)
We should help and defend ourselves if we are oppressed:
“[Remember that] whatever you are given [now] is nothing but a provision for the transitory life of this world. Better and more enduring is the reward that God has for those who…when they are oppressed, help and defend themselves” (42:36-39).
REALISM
Psychologically healthy people practice realism: the attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly. Allah encourages realism in the Holy Quran by teaching us to accept the facts that:
We will be tested and life is not always easy:
“You shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if you persevere patiently, and guard against evil, then you will surely triumph” (3:186).
“Do you think that you will enter paradise without such trials as came to those who passed away before you? They experienced suffering and adversity and were so shaken in spirit that even the Prophet and the faithful who were with him cried, “When will Allah’s help come?” Ah, verily the help of Allah is near” (2:214).
We are only human and we can’t be perfect, so we should focus on avoiding the major sins:
“Those who avoid great sins and shameful deeds, only (falling into) small faults, verily thy Lord is ample in forgiveness” (53:32).
“And those who avoid the greater sins and indecencies, and when they are angry, they forgive…” (42:37).
CONFIDENCE
Allah inspires confidence in our Muslim identity by teaching that:
We are the best of communities raised up for humankind:
“You are the best of peoples, raised up for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah…” (3:110).
“Who is better in speech than the one who summons people unto God, and performed a good deed and says, ‘Truly I am of the believers.’” (41:33).
The true religion of Allah is Islam:
“Verily the only acceptable religion to Allah is Islam” (3:19).
“This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (5:3).
People who may shake our faith actually have no real faith within themselves:
“So patiently persevere: for verily the promise of Allah is true: nor let those shake your firmness, who have (themselves) no certainty of faith” (30:60).
PATIENCE
The Holy Quran encourages the virtue of patience, which is defined as “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious” (Google dictionary). Patience is necessary for good mental health because it enables us to face life’s hardships with calmness and maturity.
Allah is with those who are patient during adversity:
“Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is everlasting. And We will surely give those who were patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do” (16:96).
“O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere” (2:153).
GENTLENESS
The Holy Quran encourages us to be gentle with one another. Gentleness promotes peaceful human relationships. The following verses encourage gentleness:
“Thus it is due to mercy from Allah that you deal with them gently, and had you been rough, hard hearted, they would certainly have dispersed from around you…” (3:159).
“A kind word and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury…” (2:263).
“And obey Allah and His Messenger and do not quarrel, for then you will be weak in hearts and your power will depart…” (8:46).
COMPASSION
Allah encourages us to show care and concern for the well-being of others. Compassion allows us to feel connected with the human family and to not be self-absorbed. Allah encourages compassion in the following verses:
“Worship and serve God alone and make no gods beside Him; and do good to your parents, the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the neighbor who is a relative, the neighbor who is a stranger, and the companion by your side, and the wayfarer, and to those you rightfully possess; for God loves not the proud and boastful, those who are miserly and urge others to be miserly” (4:36-7).
“And what is the uphill road? It is to free a slave, or to feed in a day of hunger–an orphan near of kin, or some poor in misery..Then to be those who believe and exhort one another to patience and to compassion” (90:12-17).
FORGIVENESS
Forgiving others is a gift that you give to yourself. Forgiveness does not mean to condone what others have done, it is simply to let go of the pain and hurt in your heart, and to recognize that we all make mistakes. These Quranic verses encourage forgiveness:
“Keep to forgiveness, and enjoin what is right, and turn away from the ignorant” (7:199).
“…Forgive and pardon…” (2:109–middle of verse).
“…Overlook with a gracious forgiveness” (15:85–end of verse).
“The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto; but if a person forgives and makes peace, his reward rests with God…” (42:40).