5 Dimensions of Health in Islam
When the word health is mentioned,
minds often turn immediately to physical health, as if health were nothing more
than bodily well-being. In reality, there are many other dimensions that also
demand attention: spiritual, psychological, mental, and social health, among
others. None of these can be dispensed with if a person is to live a complete
life.
Health Beyond the Body
Allah Almighty says: “O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the
Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.” (Al-Anfal: 24)
The word “gives you life” is broad and comprehensive—it refers to life
of the soul through worship and faith, life of the mind through reflection and
contemplation, life of the body through adhering to divine guidance that
protects it from harm, life of the self through tranquility and peace, and life
of social relations through cooperation, compassion, and solidarity. Health has
never been merely physical—it is a combination of all these elements that
together form a truly healthy person.
Dimensions of Health
1.
Physical Health
Physical health is the most commonly
emphasized aspect of health. Islamic teachings give this type of health great
attention, with numerous Qur’anic verses and Prophetic traditions stressing the
importance of preserving the body, for it is a trust from Allah. Allah says: “And do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into
destruction [by refraining].” (Al-Baqarah:
195) And the Prophet ﷺ said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to
Allah than the weak believer.”
Islam prepares us to enjoy physical health
by prohibiting violence, extremism, crime, corruption, intoxicants, addiction,
laziness, and idleness. It calls for care of the body, peace, balance, and
moderation so that one may live a healthy life free from physical harm or
betrayal of this trust, for which we will be held accountable on the Day of
Judgment.
2.
Mental Health
Mental health is a vital dimension that
Islam has emphasized strongly. It encourages freedom of thought, creativity,
reflection, learning, and intellectual development. The Qur’an calls upon
believers to ponder, to reason, and to contemplate the creation of Allah. Allah
says: “And in yourselves. Then will you not
see?” (Al-Dhariyat: 21),
and: “Then do they not look at the camels—how
they are created? And at the sky—how it is raised? And at the mountains—how
they are erected? And at the earth—how it is spread out?” (Al-Ghashiyah: 17–20).
Whoever reflects on such verses sees that
Islam truly cares for mental health, honoring knowledge and its seekers, and
making the pursuit of knowledge a duty upon every Muslim man and woman, as the
Prophet ﷺ clarified.
3.
Psychological Health
The Islamic message came with noble and
timeless values that lifted humanity from darkness to light. It outlined moral
virtues and their impact on uplifting the soul, enhancing ambition and energy,
and building a prosperous society. These values bring peace and serenity,
enabling a person to live in harmony with himself and his community.
Islam regards inner peace and stability as
inseparable from human perfection and worship. A tranquil soul inspires energy
in worship and openness to work and effort. Allah praised it when He said: “O reassured soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and
pleasing [to Him].” (Al-Fajr:
27–28)
Tranquility of the heart is among the
greatest forms of contentment. The Prophet ﷺ himself
went through grief and sorrow, yet he taught the Ummah how to face negative
emotions like anxiety, depression, and sadness. He said: “O Allah, I am
Your slave, and the son of Your male slave, and the son of your female slave.
My forehead is in Your Hand (i.e. you have control over me). Your Judgment upon
me is assured, and Your Decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every Name
that You have named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught any one of
Your creation, or kept unto Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen that is
with You, to make the Qur'an the spring of my heart, and the light of my chest,
the banisher of my sadness, and the reliever of my distress.”
4.
Social Health
Islam also emphasizes social health,
encouraging the building of strong families and cohesive communities through
virtuous morals, justice, and compassion. It forbids injustice, racism, hatred,
and corruption, and instead promotes love, empathy, mercy, solidarity, kinship
ties, mutual sharing, and pure brotherhood free of envy or hostility.
The Prophet ﷺ exemplified
this when he established brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Anṣar, reconciling tribes that had long been at odds.
Allah says: “And remember the favor of Allah
upon you—when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you
became, by His favor, brothers.” (Al-Imran: 103)
The Prophet ﷺ also
explained that righteous relationships built on obedience to Allah are among
the greatest blessings, such that their people will be shaded under Allah’s
Throne on the Day of Judgment. He said: “Seven people Allah will give them
His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne...” among
them: “Two
men who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of
Allah.”
5.
Spiritual Health
Many think of worship as something separate
from the other aspects of life. This is a misconception that needs correcting.
Spiritual well-being is the foundation of all else, and spiritual health is the
most essential form of health. Without it, a Muslim cannot live a sound and
complete life. Allah guarantees those with spiritual health a blessed life free
of misery.
As for those spiritually ailing who turn
away from Allah’s remembrance, their lives are filled with hardship, sorrow,
and pain. Allah says: “Then whoever follows My
guidance will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter]. And
whoever turns away from My remembrance—indeed, he will have a depressed life.” (Ṭaha: 123–124)
Thus, spiritual health is the cornerstone
of all types of well-being. When it is sound, everything else falls into place.
Conclusion
Islam gives attention to all aspects of
health—physical, mental, psychological, and social. Yet above all, it
emphasizes spiritual health, purity of the heart, sincerity in worship, and
freedom from malice, envy, and greed. The Qur’an overflows with these sublime
meanings and noble values, guiding the believer toward complete well-being in
this life and the next.
Read Also:
·
5 Habits for a Healthier Life from Prophet’s ﷺ Sunnah
·
10 Keys to a Healthy and Balanced Life
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