Alhamdulillah, I've been following Dr Rania Awaad in social media less than five months ago, and when I saw the poster that Faith Events is organizing a talk by her, I knew it that I have no choice but to make time for it! Despite me taking up my midterm (with KIU), I just wanted to attend to her talk, to be in the same hall with her and to listen to his inspiring and fruitful sharing. Alhamdulillah.
Hence, here's some takeaways that I've managed to gather, up to my abilities and understanding, and hope it helps. Allahu musta'an.
Alone but Not Lonely: Strengthening Your Faith Through Spiritual Solitude by Dr Rania Awaad
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Of late, the public has started talking about mental health, the state of wellbeing and stability of oneself, adapting, contributing to community and so on.
Science of Self, 'Ilm an-Nafs
How much do we know about the science of self, 'ilm an-nafs? If one can contribute and able to adapt and contribute to community but there's no connection to The Creator, Allah SWT, do we consider the person 'healthy'?
We can't deny worry, grief, anxiety, depression and so forth as these are real, and emotion comes with oneself. We also do admit that negative emotions and excessive are detrimental.
Islam jurispudence has established an Islamic legal doctrine, Maqasid al-Syari’ah, which is to protect the welfare of human kind. There are five Maqasid (objectives) of Syari'ah which involves:
Protection of religion (Hifz ad-Deen),
Protection of life (Hifz an-Nafs),
Protection of the Intellect (Hifz al-’Aql),
Protection of property (Hifz al-Māl),
and Protection of Progeny (Hifz al-Nasl)
Relating the hifz an-nafs, which is part of 'ilm an-nafs, Islam psychology do acknowledge the concept of self-care, or in today's jargon could also relate to 'healing'. As a matter of fact, the concept of self-care in Islam is more than just self-healing and far from being selfish.
It is a connection and bond within oneself, connecting to The Creator, and understanding oneself better, in order for he or she would be able to function fully in the community on day-to-day basis.
How do the Quran define emotion?
Let's ponder upon the story of the grieving dad, Nabi Yaakub AS when he lost Yusuf AS. The Quran decribes him, and Allah could have chosen any description He wanted to describe but Allah SWT chose the description of the father Nabi Yaakub AS as:
وَٱبۡيَضَّتۡ عَيۡنَاهُ مِنَ ٱلۡحُزۡنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٞ
and his eyes became white from grief, for he was [of that] a suppressor. [Yusuf 12:84]
How do you have something psychological emotional (i.e. grief) turn into physical manifestation (i.e. eyes became white)? In ‘western’ psychology, this is termed as somatic which means ‘relating to body’ i.e. body-based reaction to something that is emotional.
Nabi Yaakub AS was crying and crying until his eyes deteriorated and it took 40 years for him to reunit with his son, Yusuf AS. That is a long long time to miss someone and to know in your heart that Allah is going to help you but you don’t know where, how and when. To the extent, his family got tired of him and called him senile. This happens in today’s reality, to people who has chronic mental health conditions. They are suffering, and the people surrounding them are ‘suffering’ too.
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What do Rasulullah SAW teaches?
Even Rasulullah SAW teaches us how to deal with our emotions when were are worried, stressed out over things.
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, entered the mosque one day while a man from the Ansar named Abu Umamah was there.
The Prophet SAW said, “O Abu Umamah, what is the matter that I see you sitting in the mosque while it is not time for prayer?”
He said, “O Messenger of Allah, I am compelled by anxiety and debts.”
The Prophet SAW said, “Shall I not teach you a word to say by which Allah Almighty will relive your worry and complete your debt?”
He said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah.”
The Prophet SAW said, “Say in the morning and evening:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّوَالْحَزَنِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in you from worry and sadness. I seek refuge in you from weakness and laziness. I seek refuge in you from cowardice and miserliness. And I seek refuge in you from being overwhelmed by debt and the tyranny of men.” [Sunan Abī Dāwūd]
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Islamic Psychology promotes the concept of self-care, as many of us might be familiar with the jargon, 'self-healing'. Being in solitude, alone, it's not a bad or negative thing that could damage oneself. Rasulullah SAW himself did isolate himself, being alone in the Hira' Cave when he was so overwhelmed with his surroundings and that was where Jibril AS came down and met him for the first time.
Self-care in Islam is more than just self-healing and far from being selfish.
Being alone doesn't mean being lonely. Isolation is not something that most Muslim should be fear of. As a matter of fact, being alone in solitude and is something that we are encouraged to do to connect spiritually and physically to increase one's faith i.e. Iman.
Isolate yourself, if you need be. Take time to mend your stressful heart, your overwhelmed self and your worried mind. Give the time to yourself. Get connected with The One who really knows you, The One who created you and the reason you are here today.
Once you are back at your feet, fuel up with faith, live up your purpose.
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