Turning to the Quran as a way to improve our health is crucial. This is because while the Quran is the most important guide for our Ultimate Success, it’s also an incredible cure for most of our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical diseases. This post discusses the uplifting nature of the Quran on our minds!

It’s not surprising that there are different layers to our overall health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This is so true; however, our religion takes a much broader and a holistic approach to defining health.

The Islamic definition of health isn’t just related to our physical and mental wellbeing; instead, it also includes our emotional and spiritual wellbeing. And these two factors tend to be neglected in discussions and definitions of health. However, our real long-term health heavily depends on a holistic view of health.

The Quran as a Cure

Allah subuhanawuta’ala mentions the Quran as As-shifa – a cure for mental, physical and spiritual diseases.

“And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.” (Al-Quran, 17:82)

And we also know from the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that the Sahabas recited the Surah Fathiha to cure a man who was bitten by a snake. The Prophet (PBUH) would also recite verses from the Quran at night, spit on his hands and then run his hands all over his body as a protection before going to sleep. Aisha (RA) would sometimes do this for him when he couldn’t.

But what the previous Ayah from Surah Isra is telling us is the Quran is also a spiritual and psychological cure. When you’re feeling down, upset, or disappointed, the Quran can be the companion that uplifts you.

New Scientific Evidence

We certainly don’t need ANY scientific evidence to believe that Quran is a cure for all our mental, physical and spiritual diseases. The pieces of evidence from the Quran and Sunnah are crystal clear on this.

However, we live in a scientific era and sometimes looking at the scientific proof can increase our faith; it can also strengthen our deen.

The Impact of The Quranic Recitation on Our Minds

In a study conducted by the University of Technology in Malaysia, the scientists researched the psychological and emotional benefits of the recitation of the Quran.

To measure the brain activities during the recitation of the Quran, the researchers used an Electroencephalogram (EEG), a device that is used for capturing brainwave signals.

Brainwave signals indicate the status of one’s mind. From the five categories of brainwaves such as alpha, beta, gamma, delta and theta, the alpha wave is attributed to a calm, peaceful mind.

Science has proved that by reducing our brainwave frequencies to alpha and theta, we can enjoy loads of benefits:

• We are more spiritually connected, and more at peace. This makes us enjoy life more.
• We are healthier due to lower stress levels
• We can control our mind to focus completely on the present
• We can remain calm even while under pressure
• We can accelerate our learning
• We can go into the state of deep relaxation, which is important to our health and emotional wellbeing

And the mind that is operating at alpha waves is also linked with creative and lateral thinking. Lateral thinking is the ability to look at a problem from many angles instead of tackling it head-on. Additionally, an alpha level mind can memorise up to 1500 words a day, as is the case with small children.

We know that mediation, which the recitation of the Quran is similar to, helps us to bring down our brain waves to this beneficial alpha and theta waves.

The conclusion of the research shows that reciting just a page of the Quran reduces our brain waves to alpha, thereby leading to a rested and calmed mind. Subhanallah!

The Impact of the Quranic Melody on Our Memories

Our memory is a mental system, which stores and process information for crucial cognitive tasks, such as learning, understanding, thinking and reasoning. Hence, improving one’s memory is directly correlated to one’s ability to perform these cognitive tasks better.

Many types of learning disabilities are a result of glitches in the memory functioning. So, memory is an essential factor in learning.

Due to the importance of memory on learning, scientists all around the world are pursuing the goal of finding a way to improve memory. They have found that some research suggests that certain types of music have positive effects on memory, learning and improved students’ educational performance.

Scientists from the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in Iran took this research a step further in a study by trying to find out whether the Quran’s melody provides a similar positive effect on the memory of 5^th grade students.

The results were amazing. Just by listening to Quran for only 15 minutes a day, without using any other skill or training, our memory can be improved significantly. How wonderful is that?

However, it’s important to note that the research participants were listening to the Quran actively by using a headphone. As you probably know, it’s a commandment from Allah subuhanawuta’ala for us to listen to the Quran attentively:

“When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it and be quiet so that hopefully you will gain mercy.” (Al-Quran, 7:204)

The primary objective of listening to the Quran is to get guidance from it. And along from that guidance, we get numerous benefits that lead to our success in this world and more importantly in the Aakhira.

The Quran and You

Now, how can you put these things into practice?

• Start your day with the recitation of the Quran
• Before an important exam, listen to the Quran attentively for 15 minutes
• If you are stressed out, take the mushaf and recite at least a page
• Recite a page after every Salah

Question: Re-evaluate your relationship with the Quran. Is the Quran your companion? Do you attempt to recite it at least once a day, or even a week?