Introduction to Daily Wisdom from the Quran 2025

Ramadan Kareem to you and your families.

Welcome to another season of Daily Wisdom from the Quran. This year's theme is "The Quranic Guide to Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Wellbeing" which we will explore from a verse a day from the Quran.

Before we dive into the topic, it might be useful to define what we mean by wellbeing.

In modern psychology and secular frameworks, wellbeing is often described as a "state of positive mental and emotional health", where individuals feel satisfied, function effectively, and experience a sense of fulfillment.

The Islamic perspective, on the other hand, extends the definition beyond mental and emotional health to include "spiritual alignment, moral integrity, and connection with Allah".

The Secular Definition of Wellbeing:
In secular psychology, wellbeing is typically understood through two major lenses:
1. Hedonic Wellbeing which is the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain, focusing on life satisfaction and positive emotions.
2. Eudaimonic Wellbeing which has a deeper sense of fulfillment that comes from living with virtue, purpose, meaning, and personal growth. [closely aligned with the Islamic concept of EHSAN]

From the secular perspective, wellbeing is influenced by factors such as mental health, relationships, financial stability, and personal achievement. It is often measured using psychological frameworks such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which prioritizes self-actualization as the peak of human fulfillment.

The Islamic Perspective on Wellbeing
In Islam, wellbeing is not just about feeling good—it is about being in a state of harmony with one’s faith, purpose, and moral values. Living how God intended us and designed us to live. To live in alignment with our creational design, so to speak. It is a holistic balance of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, guided by one’s relationship with Allah.

Islamic wellbeing is built on some key principles including:
- Tazkiyah (Purification of the Soul): A process of self-improvement and moral refinement.
- Tawakkul (Trust in Allah): Relieving anxiety by placing reliance on Allah’s plan.
- Sabr (Patience) and Shukr (Gratitude): Developing inner peace through self-control, emotional regulation endurance and gratitude.
- Mizan (Balance): Striving for moderation in all aspects of life.

Unlike secular psychology, which often focuses on the individual’s autonomy, Islam emphasizes interconnectedness—with God, community, the world and the environment. True wellbeing is not just about self-fulfillment but about serving others and living in accordance with divine guidance.

So why is it important to discuss wellbeing?

In today’s world, there is an intense pursuit of happiness and inner peace. The self-help industry is booming, mindfulness and therapy have gone mainstream, and yet—mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and burnout are at an all-time high. This paradox raises an important question: If we are investing so much time and effort into our wellbeing, why are so many people still struggling? Why do things appear to be getting worse instead of better?

The Global Mental Health Crisis
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that depression is now the leading cause of disability worldwide, and anxiety disorders affect hundreds of millions of people. Rates of chronic stress, loneliness, and burnout continue to rise, despite greater awareness and access to mental health resources.

The disconnect between our pursuit of happiness and the increase in mental distress suggests that something is missing from the way we understand wellbeing.

The Missing Piece: External vs. Internal Solutions
Much of modern psychology frames wellbeing as an individual pursuit, emphasizing self-care, personal achievement, and cognitive techniques for managing emotions. While these strategies are valuable, they often focus on external success and hedonic happiness—the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. However, research shows that lasting wellbeing requires more than just feeling good in the moment; it depends on a sense of purpose, connection and grounded-ness.

From an Islamic perspective, true peace is not just about temporary happiness but about a holistic balance of spiritual, emotional, and social wellbeing. The Quran reminds us: "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (Quran 13:28). This suggests that wellbeing is deeply tied to our connection with Allah, our purpose in life, and the way we navigate challenges with faith.

Beyond Coping – Finding Lasting Peace
Many modern mental health approaches focus on coping strategies—therapy, mindfulness, and self-care—which are essential. But coping alone is not enough. Islamic wellbeing is not just about managing stress; it is about transforming our worldview. When we cultivate faith, patience, and gratitude, we shift from simply reacting to life’s challenges to finding deeper meaning within them.

So, at a time when the world is searching for peace in an imperfect life, Islam’s emphasis on God-consciousness, resilience, and purpose offers a powerful solution.

This month, inshallah we will explore various verses from the Quran to help us navigate mental health struggles, find lasting inner peace, and move beyond temporary happiness towards true contentment.

I am so delighted that you decided to join us on this journey of exploration and reflection.

The podcast episode is uploaded here

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Wishing you a day full of spiritual fulfillment, positivity, purpose and peace.