A Study of Humanistic Foundations of Spiritual Health in the Qur’an

Abstract

Throughout history, scientists have sought to offer a true definition of health as a concept closely related to human life. Moreover, spiritual health has managed to hold the attention of W.H.O. in recent years. The purpose of this article is to determine the humanistic principles of spiritual health on the basis of the Qur’anic teachings. Analysis of the Qur’anic teachings show that the cosmos, human, and life have two aspects: physical and metaphysical, corporal and spiritual, physical and spiritual. Human is hay muta’alleh (literally the divine living) whose health is inextricably linked with monotheism. The spiritual health is also intertwined with the concept of qalb-e salīm (literally the healthy heart). Knowledge, faith, and good behavior seem to be the three principles of spiritual health. In sum, the Qur’anic spiritual health covers (a) the health of soul through the recognition and attainment of monotheism and (b) the health of behavior through promotion of virtues and abstention from vices. Therefore, the spiritual health in the Qur’an is completely different from the secular's ones.