Muslim Psychologist (MP)

Why Focusing on Your "Mental Health" Is Harmful https://drmcfillin.substack.com/p/why-focusing-on-your-mental-health

“It was clearly not the case that the line just sometimes gets inadvertently a little blurry here and there. Rather, what we found is that many health institutions, in fact, quite widely and actively promote an understanding of depression that’s not only scientifically inaccurate but also based on circular logic. Similarly to how ‘a headache’ does not explain what’s causing the pain in an individual’s head, a diagnosis of major depression does not explain what’s causing the low mood and other symptoms the individual is suffering from.” https://www.madinamerica.com/2024/06/the-misrepresentation-of-depression-health-websites-circular-logic-exposed/

Approaches to Qur’an Translation Join the BBSI and esteemed guests for an exhilarating discussion on the various approaches to the translation of the Qur’an. Live on Zoom. Registration required. To register, visit: https://bbsi.org.uk/approaches-to-quran-translations/

A Psycho-Contextual Translation of the Qur’an God created human beings in three dimensions: 1) biologically/physically, 2) spiritually/metaphysically, and 3) mentally. In other words, humans are composed of mind, body, and spirit. Biological and Physical Creation Humans are biologically distinct from other creations, such as angels who were created from light. Humans share many traits with other creatures but are notably unique due to their erect posture and upright gait. This physical uniqueness is complemented by sociability, a key human trait. The Qur’an details the stages of human creation, emphasising the meticulous process: from clay to a drop, clot, fetus, bones, and flesh, culminating in a complete human being (23:12−14). This detailed description highlights the unique biological and physical aspects of human creation. Humans have biological needs and characteristics that distinguish them from other creations of God, such as the need to eat, sleep, procreate, and rest. Spiritual and Metaphysical Creation Humans are also created metaphysically. The aspect of the rūḥ (spirit) is described as the life energy that Allah created to give life to humanity. The Qur’an mentions numerous spiritual dimensions of human beings. Humans were created with fitra, or the natural disposition to recognise God. This is reflected in the primordial covenant when God gathered the souls (arwāḥ) and proclaimed, "Am I not your Lord?" to which all of humanity replied in the affirmative. Psychological and Emotional Creation Humans are created with psychological and emotional capacities. God endowed humans with propensities for various emotions and feelings, such as love, fear, anxiety, and pleasure. These emotions are not simply chemical reactions in the brain; they involve multiple factors. For instance, when we are anxious, our heart rate may increase, which shows the interconnectedness of our physical and emotional states. However, these responses are not necessarily intrinsic or unalterable parts of human creation. Intellectual and Rational Creation Humans were created with intellectual capacity. They are rational beings who think and ponder. This intellectual capacity is not solely understood from a mental perspective; the heart also plays a role in thinking and perceiving. The Qur’an encourages humans to use their intellect and hearts to reflect and understand the world around them. Human beings are a composite of biological, spiritual, psychological, and intellectual dimensions, each intricately connected to the others. This multifaceted creation underscores the unique status of humans in the Qur’anic narrative. The relationship between the various dimensions of human beings is complex. https://www.facebook.com/100066980496876/posts/pfbid0Z7dwutE5ypmqrA55Nu6VbXVvWqY8bEKMeHfRLmA3DvCYxWkXUHmQZETLXNSxtdetl/?

The insan has the propensity to be fretful. This is how I would render the meaning of the verse: The state of being fretful seems appropriate in verse 19 since the subsequent verse talks about when evil befalls him, he is anxious, which seems to be appropriate. So, ‘Human beings were created with the capacity to be fretful. When adversity befalls them, they are full of lamentation. When good touches them, they behave miserly.’ Allah knows best. https://t.me/muslimpsychologistMP https://www.facebook.com/100066980496876/posts/pfbid0Z7dwutE5ypmqrA55Nu6VbXVvWqY8bEKMeHfRLmA3DvCYxWkXUHmQZETLXNSxtdetl/?

A Psycho-Contextual Translation of the Qur’an God created human beings in three dimensions: 1) biologically/physically, 2) spiritually/metaphysically, and 3) mentally. In other words, humans are composed of mind, body, and spirit. Biological and Physical Creation Humans are biologically distinct from other creations, such as angels who were created from light. Humans share many traits with other creatures but are notably unique due to their erect posture and upright gait. This physical uniqueness is complemented by sociability, a key human trait. The Qur’an details the stages of human creation, emphasising the meticulous process: from clay to a drop, clot, fetus, bones, and flesh, culminating in a complete human being (23:12−14). This detailed description highlights the unique biological and physical aspects of human creation. Humans have biological needs and characteristics that distinguish them from other creations of God, such as the need to eat, sleep, procreate, and rest. Spiritual and Metaphysical Creation Humans are also created metaphysically. The aspect of the rūḥ (spirit) is described as the life energy that Allah created to give life to humanity. The Qur’an mentions numerous spiritual dimensions of human beings. Humans were created with fitra, or the natural disposition to recognise God. This is reflected in the primordial covenant when God gathered the souls (arwāḥ) and proclaimed, "Am I not your Lord?" to which all of humanity replied in the affirmative. Psychological and Emotional Creation Humans are created with psychological and emotional capacities. God endowed humans with propensities for various emotions and feelings, such as love, fear, anxiety, and pleasure. These emotions are not simply chemical reactions in the brain; they involve multiple factors. For instance, when we are anxious, our heart rate may increase, which shows the interconnectedness of our physical and emotional states. However, these responses are not necessarily intrinsic or unalterable parts of human creation. Intellectual and Rational Creation Humans were created with intellectual capacity. They are rational beings who think and ponder. This intellectual capacity is not solely understood from a mental perspective; the heart also plays a role in thinking and perceiving. The Qur’an encourages humans to use their intellect and hearts to reflect and understand the world around them. Human beings are a composite of biological, spiritual, psychological, and intellectual dimensions, each intricately connected to the others. This multifaceted creation underscores the unique status of humans in the Qur’anic narrative. The relationship between the various dimensions of human beings is complex. In Q.70:19, "halu'a" is translated by various translators in different ways, including: impatient, anxious, weak in courage, greedy, covetous, miserly, rash, fretful, hasty, quickly irritated, and restless disposition. In classical tafsir, a number of characteristics are mentioned, not just one. In other words, it’s not simply being impatient but also greedy, etc. Some scholars describe this as the nature of human beings. This is part of their jibillat – disposition. So, did God create human beings to be fretful/impatient by nature, except for the musallin? Some scholars say the first part of the verse refers to the Kuffar, and the subsequent verses refer to the believers, the muwahhidin. Therefore, it is not an unalterable state. It depends on a number of factors. Linguistically, it describes stinginess as being "hāla'," where "hāla'" is its subject. Most commonly, the term used is "halū'," and it is not said "hāla' for him" as it does not take an object. It is an attribution, like they say: "a sleeping night," "a concealing secret," "a fasting day," and "a stormy day." All these, according to Sibawayh, indicate attribution, meaning "possessing such-and-such," as they say: "a date-seller" and "a milkman." This seems to imply that human beings have the propensity or capacity to be weak in courage, greedy, etc., given certain conditions.

What is HCM? An Islamic Response to HCM https://safwanislamandphilosohyblogs.wordpress.com/2024/07/06/what-is-hcm-an-islamic-response-to-hcm/

New study finds that fetal exposure to antidepressants is significantly associated with fetal death. They write: "Recent research suggests that fetal exposure to antidepressants is significantly associated with fetal death, including stillbirth." In particular, they found significant associations w/ citalopram, clomipramine, paroxetine, sertraline, & venlafaxine. "Combining both sets of results, we conclude that exposure to ADs, esp during the 1st trimester of pregnancy, seems to be assoc. w/ fetal mortality, & ADs w/ highest placental transfer may be particularly involved. Further research should investigate the links btw/ ADs during early pregnancy & fetal mortality." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38959577/

I came across this comment. I am not sure who it's from, but it makes a good point. “Your husband is the only man who has ever loved you for who you are. Your mum loves you because you are her daughter, your siblings love you because you are their sister, your children love you because you are their mother. But your husband is on another level. That's why you must give him the value and respect he deserves.”

Men in Sexless Marriages: Understanding the Impact and Seeking Solutions There is a growing body of research and discussion about men in sexless marriages and how this can negatively impact relationships, often leading to the breakdown of marriages. Studies suggest that men may seek affairs when they feel deprived of intimacy within their marriages. Among Muslims, while there is limited specific research, my many years of experience in couple therapy reveal that one significant reason for marital tensions is a lack of intimacy. In some cases, wives may use sex as a weapon, depriving their husbands of intimacy. Men generally express affection, love, and compassion through intimacy. When deprived of this, they may develop anxiety and other psychological issues. Research supports that intimacy is crucial for men's psychological health. Many wives may not fully understand the importance of intimacy for their husbands and might often express sentiments such as, "If he gives me love, I'll show him respect," forgetting that successful relationships require both partners to give and take, rather than waiting for the other to act first. Advice to Wives for a Comfortable, Intimate Marriage Communicate Openly: Share your thoughts, feelings, and desires with your husband. Open communication helps in understanding each other's needs and fosters a deeper connection. Show Affection: Physical touch, kind words, and small gestures of love can go a long way in maintaining intimacy. Understand that men often express love through physical affection, and reciprocating this can strengthen your bond. Be Responsive: Respond to your husband's needs for intimacy with empathy and understanding. Recognise that intimacy is a mutual need and should be nurtured by both partners. Educate Yourself: Learn about the importance of intimacy for both psychological and physical health. Understanding this can help you appreciate its role in a happy marriage. Create a Safe Space: Ensure that your husband feels comfortable expressing his needs and concerns. A safe and non-judgmental environment promotes open dialogue and helps address issues before they escalate. Balance Giving and Taking: Remember that a successful marriage involves both giving and taking. Don’t wait for your partner to act first; take initiative in showing love and respect. There are a lot of areas that need to be addressed. But here is some basic advice for wives. Please do share your thoughts.