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Psychological Wisdom in the Holy Quran

SHAFAQNA – 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.

  1. 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)

  1. 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)

  1. 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)

  1. 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)

  1. 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)

  1. 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:

  1. 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)

  1. 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)

  1. 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.

  1. 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)

  1. 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).

  1. 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)

  1. 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).

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