Page 14 7KH ,VODPLF %XOOHWLQ 0(17$/ +($/7+ by Ahmad Dakr As Muslims we know that the Qur’an offers guidance to us in all aspects of our lives. It is indeed a blessing and a guide for all times and places. In today’s modern world full of electronic communication, globalization, technology and the ever increasing pace of western life, it is easy to feel overwhelmed in this society. Stress and depression are two of the most common results of this hectic and fast paced life. In his recent treatise on depression, Dr. Ahmad Sakr states, “Depression is a universal disease that affects millions of people. Some 10 to 15% of people suffer from it at some point in their lives. This could be due to physical illness or social isolation.” Situational depression can be caused by a troubling time in someone’s life such as loss of a loved one, loss of a job, moving to a new area, and sometimes just the stress associated with economic survival in today’s world. Some states of depression can be caused by hormonal factors in women and teens or by the process of aging in seniors. Common medical symptoms such as tension and migraine headaches, sudden anger or rage, insomnia, obesity, hair loss, allergies, fatigue, memory loss, and lethargy are symptoms of depression and stress. Everyone suffers from stress at some time, but some people are better able than others to handle it. We are sure to experience stress during the tests and trials that Allah presents to us in this life. ´%H VXUH :H VKDOO WHVW \RX ZLWK VRPHWKLQJ RI IHDU DQG KXQJHU VRPH ORVV LQ JRRGV OLYHV DQG WKH IUXLWV RI \RXU WRLO EXW JLYH JODG WLGLQJV WR WKRVH ZKR SDWLHQWO\ SHUVH YHUH :KR VD\ ZKHQ DIIOLFWHG ZLWK FDODPLW\ 7R $OODK ZH EHORQJ DQG WR +LP LV RXU UHWXUQ 7KH\ DUH WKRVH RQ ZKRP GHVFHQG EOHVVLQJV IURP WKHLU /RUG DQG 0HUF\ $QG WKH\ DUH WKH RQHV WKDW UHFHLYH JXLGDQFH µ (Qur’an 2:155) Stress, despair, and depression when approached from a scientific and spiritual basis can be effectively controlled by the ‘prescriptions’ found in the Qur’an. In Surah Al Ra’d,”Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (Qur’an 13:28) Prayer is ordered continuously throughout the Qur’an. Allah in His mercy emphasizes its importance over and over so there can be no doubt. ´.HHS FDUHIXOO\ DGKHUH WR WKH SUD\HUV DQG QRW IRUJHWWLQJ WKH PLGGOH SUD\HU DQG VWDQG EHIRUH $OODK LQ REHGLHQFH µ 68-22' $1' 0(17$/ +($/7+ In his book, Sujood (Prostration), Dr. Ahmed Sakr states, “In Islam the concept and action of prostration (al-Sujood) is very important. It is important physically, medically, morally, spiritually and biologically. Prostration has been mentioned in the Qur’an 92 times in 22 different forms and in 32 different surahs. In the Qur’an Surah Al-Sajdah (prostration) says, ´2QO\ WKRVH EHOLHYH LQ 2XU 6LJQV ZKR ZKHQ WKH\ DUH UHFLWHG WR WKHP IDOO GRZQ LQ SURVWUDWLRQ DQG FHOHEUDWH WKH SUDLVHV RI WKHLU /RUG QRU DUH WKH\ SXIIHG XS ZLWK SULGH µ (Qur’an 32:15) With the advancement of science and technology, and the whirl that existence in the west can be, one feels obligated to mention one method that brings peace, harmony, accord, tranquility, and happiness. This practice is Sujood or prostration! People today are exposed to many daily frustrations. They are also propounded with many electrostatic charges from the atmosphere. These charges are precipitated on the central nervous systems (CNS) which becomes supersaturated. One has to get rid of these extra charges, otherwise, there is the possibility of headaches, neck aches, muscle spasms, etc. The use of anti-depressants, tranquilizers and other mood altering drugs could be reduced or eliminated with the practice of Sujood. The best way to rid oneself of these extra electrostatic charges is by dissipating them and discharging them from the body. In the same way that an electrical appliance needs to be grounded by the use of an electric cord, a person will find it helpful to do likewise. The frontal areas of the brain are those that control abstract thought, creativity, conscience, and personality. Therefore, “grounding” oneself by putting the forehead (the frontal portion of the brain) on the ground during Sujood has beneficial medical (grounding) properties. The action of putting the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes all in contact with the ground at the same time during Sujood will result in a calming feeling resulting from dissipation of the electromagnetic energy.” Drs. Abdul Ahad and Mehdi Hassan in their article “Some Medical Aspects of Al-Salat” say about prostration, “During Sajdah, a person has to support his body on knees, hands, and forehead. This posture has its effect on the intervertebral joints, especially cervical and other spinal diseases. During sajdah, while the person lays his body weight on legs flexed at knees, these muscles are put in action to various degrees which aids venous return and acts as a massage for these muscles.” During prostration, muscles are exercised, blood flow is increased, lung capacity is utilized...all leading to better physical health. This in turn results in better mental health, not only because of the physical activity, but due to the spiritual process also.
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