“Doctor, I take my medication. I attend therapy. But my heart still feels empty.”
This quiet admission, shared by a patient, reflects a reality that is becoming increasingly common. Many individuals today are living with depression, anxiety, and persistent emotional strain. Outwardly, they function – they go to work, maintain relationships, and carry on with daily life. But inwardly, something feels incomplete, as though a part of them remains untouched by treatment.
This raises an important question: is modern mental health care, on its own, always enough?
There is no denying the value of clinical treatment. Medication and psychotherapy play a critical role in stabilising emotions and managing symptoms. For many patients, they are essential. Yet, in some cases, even as symptoms improve, a lingering sense of emptiness remains. It is as if the visible layers of distress have been addressed, but something deeper has yet to be healed.
From an Islamic perspective, this is not surprising. Human beings are not made up of body and mind alone. There is also the heart, the soul, and the inner self. If the body is treated but the heart remains unsettled, a person may continue to feel lost, even in the absence of obvious symptoms.
In this understanding, mental distress is not solely a matter of brain chemistry. It may also be linked to spiritual disconnection, a loss of meaning, or a weakened relationship with God. Addressing these dimensions does not replace clinical care, but it adds a layer that many patients instinctively feel is missing.
For a Muslim, practices such as prayer, remembrance of God, and engagement with the Quran are not merely rituals. They function as moments of grounding. Prayer, in particular, offers structured pauses throughout the day, allowing individuals to release emotional burdens and regain perspective. The act of remembrance, or zikr, helps calm a restless mind – much like steadying waves in turbulent water.
Similarly, the Quran provides more than guidance. For many, it becomes a source of comfort and interpretation. Verses that speak of patience, trials, mercy, and hope offer a framework through which suffering can be understood, rather than merely endured. In this way, distress is not only managed, but also given meaning.
A significant source of emotional strain today comes from the desire to control every aspect of life. When reality does not align with expectations, frustration and disappointment can quickly take hold. Islamic teachings introduce the concepts of tawakkal (trust in God) and acceptance, encouraging individuals to do their best while learning to release what lies beyond their control. This shift alone can lighten a heavy psychological burden.
In some cases, patients experience anxiety or unease that is difficult to explain through conventional frameworks. Complementary approaches such as ruqyah, involving the recitation of Quranic verses, may provide additional emotional relief. At the same time, the concept of repentance plays an important role. Letting go of guilt, seeking forgiveness, and making peace with one’s past can be deeply therapeutic, opening space for renewal and self-compassion.
What makes a psychospiritual approach particularly meaningful is its ability to address existential questions. Patients often ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Science may explain neurological processes, but it does not always provide a sense of purpose. Within an Islamic framework, hardship can be understood as a form of test or refinement, offering a narrative that transforms suffering into something more bearable, and even meaningful.
Self-reflection is another key component. By examining one’s inner state, individuals may begin to identify underlying sources of distress, whether rooted in unhealthy attachments, negative traits, or unresolved conflicts. Through this process of inner purification, feelings of restlessness can gradually give way to contentment and calm.
Equally important is the role of the community. Mental health struggles often carry a sense of isolation. In contrast, Islamic tradition emphasises companionship, shared remembrance, and collective support. Being part of a community that listens, understands, and offers encouragement can restore a sense of belonging that is crucial for recovery.
This becomes especially significant for patients facing chronic illness. Many experience what can be described as a “loss of spirit” long before any physical decline. Here, spiritual care acts as an anchor, helping individuals navigate uncertainty with resilience. A renewed sense of connection to God can provide strength that extends beyond what medical treatment alone can offer.
It is important to emphasise that psychospiritual therapy is not a substitute for modern medicine. Rather, it complements it. The most effective approach to mental health is one that integrates biological treatment, psychological support, social connection, and spiritual care. Each plays a role, and together they address the human being as a whole.
Mental health is not only about reducing symptoms. It is also about finding peace.
In a world that is increasingly complex and demanding, knowledge alone is not always enough. People are also searching for meaning, for grounding, and for something that helps them make sense of their struggles. For many, that answer lies not just in treatment, but in reconnection – with faith, with purpose, and with something greater than themselves.
Because just as the body needs care to heal, the soul, too, needs nourishment to truly find rest.
Dr Mohd Afifuddin Mohamad is a Senior Lecturer in Islamic Psychology and Psychospirituality at Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (PKTAAB), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not represent that of Twentytwo13.
