Islamic Perspective on Mental Health: A Manchester Counsellor’s Journey
Are you a Muslim in Manchester or the Northwest struggling with your mental health, but unsure where to turn? You’re not alone and seeking help is both courageous and deeply rooted in our faith.
My Journey: From Science to Islamic Counselling
Over the past few years, I transitioned from a career as a biomedical scientist in the NHS to becoming a qualified counsellor. This journey was challenging, balancing part-time work, study, and placements, but deeply meaningful. It was driven by a sense of purpose, to serve my community in a way that aligns with both my professional skills and my Islamic values.
When I first told my family about my career change, they were supportive but also unsure about what counselling really meant. I was asked, “Will you be talking to crazy people all day?” Sadly, this misconception is still common in some Muslim communities. Many of us grew up with the idea that you only seek help when you are completely at a loss, or suffering from a mental breakdown, and even then, you keep it private.
Why Mental Health Matters, For Everyone
According to the World Health Organisation, over a billion people worldwide live with mental health conditions (Mental Health Atlas 2024). This is a staggering number of people which shows the scale of the problem and these statistics we cannot ignore. The struggles are real. They affect our sleep, our relationships, our work, and for Muslims, they can also affect our worship and connection with Allah.
In this article, I want to share an Islamic perspective on mental health, show how our tradition has always taken the mind and heart seriously, and explain why seeking support, including counselling, can be a courageous, faith-filled step, not a sign of weakness.
What Does Islam Say About Mental Health?
Mental health is often spoken about as if it is a modern idea. However, in reality, our faith has always recognised human emotions, vulnerability, and the need for support.
The Prophet’s year of sorrow
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) experienced what is known as the Year of Sorrow. During this time, he faced intense hardship. From the loss of his beloved wife Khadijah (ra) and his uncle Abu Talib to social and economic boycott, to ongoing persecution.
He ﷺ knew grief, pain and emotional exhaustion. Yet in those moments he turned to Allah with deep dependence. Through this example, we learn that feeling overwhelmed or heartbroken does not mean we are failing in faith. It means we are human.
Tests, hardship and Allah’s mercy
There is a famous hadith that says:
“Whoever Allah wishes good for, He sends him difficulties.” (Sahih Bukhari)
At first, this can feel confusing. Why would hardship be a sign of good?
From an Islamic perspective, difficulties can be a means of purification, growth and closeness to Allah. But that does not mean we must suffer in silence or pretend everything is okay. Allah tells us in the Qur’an:
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.” (Qur’an 2:286)
This verse is often quoted, but the lesson is powerful. If Allah has allowed a trial into our lives, He has also taken an oath to provide the means to cope with it. This can be through du’a, community, rest, and sometimes through professional support such as therapy.
This example teaches us to reframe our thoughts and reliance upon God. The same way He gives us our breath every moment, He provides us with the means and the ability to see through our hardships.
Turning to Allah and turning to a counsellor are not opposites; they can be part of the same journey of healing.
Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul: The Islamic Holistic Approach
In Islam, the human being is not just a body and a brain working separately. We are a combination of body, mind, heart and soul. Our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual states are all connected and I take great comfort in this knowledge. Each part affects the others.
Our body needs sleep, nutrition and rest
Our mind holds our thoughts, beliefs and inner conversations
Our heart carries our emotions and spiritual states
Our soul longs for meaning, purpose and connection with Allah
We all recognise how important the physical heart is. It pumps blood and nutrients around the body to keep us alive. In a similar way, our spiritual heart guides our faith, intentions and interactions with others. When the spiritual heart is overwhelmed by sadness, fear or constant worry, it can be just as serious as a physical illness.
Emotional pain can show up as:
Constant tiredness or lack of motivation
Changes in appetite or sleep
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling hopeless, on edge, or emotionally numb
Struggling to connect in salah or make du‘a
Just as we would not ignore chest pain, we should not ignore these signs of emotional distress. Caring for both body and soul is part of our responsibility as believers. Taking care of the spiritual heart is just as important as taking care of the physical heart.
Our Islamic Tradition of Psychology
The idea that caring for mental health is Western or un-Islamic is simply not true.
In the 9th century, a renowned Muslim scholar and physician, Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, wrote extensively about emotional and psychological wellbeing. He described conditions such as fear, sadness, anxiety and depression, and he offered guidance on prevention and treatment.
What is remarkable is that he did not separate physical and mental health. He saw the human being as a whole - body and soul working together. Modern researchers describe al-Balkhi’s work as an early form of cognitive therapy, written more than eleven hundred years ago.
In simple terms, he understood that:
Both body and soul can become healthy or sick
People differ in how they cope with emotional difficulties
Thoughts and beliefs affect how we feel and behave
Practical strategies can help restore balance and wellbeing
This is part of our heritage as Muslims. When we talk about anxiety, low mood or trauma today, we are not importing something alien to our faith. We are reconnecting with a rich tradition that has always recognised the complexity of the human heart.
Practical Ways to Care for Your Mental Health as a Muslim
One of the main purposes of our lives as Muslims is to worship Allah. Anything that significantly affects our ability to function, whether it is physical illness or emotional distress, deserves attention and care.
Here are some practical ways to begin looking after your mental health, grounded in both psychology and an Islamic view.
1. Remove the stigma and seek help when needed
If you are struggling with your mood, anxiety, past trauma or relationships, you are not weak, crazy or seeking attention. You are experiencing something many others go through too, including practising Muslims.
Islam encourages us to seek treatment for our illnesses. The Prophet ﷺ said that for every disease, Allah has created a cure. Speaking to a GP, a counsellor, or a Muslim therapist can be part of tawakkul - tying your camel and then trusting Allah.
For Muslims, whether you’re in Manchester, the Northwest or further afield, this might mean:
Asking your GP about local talking therapies
Looking for Islamic counselling in Manchester (or your area) with someone who understands faith and culture
Booking an initial consultation to see whether you feel safe and comfortable with a therapist
Taking that first step can feel scary, but it is an act of courage, not failure.
2. Learn about your mind and heart
Understanding how emotions, thoughts and behaviours work can be incredibly empowering. When we learn more about mental health, we begin to:
Name what we are going through
Recognise unhelpful patterns
Stop blaming ourselves for “not being strong enough”
Learning about mental health from an Islamic perspective can help us see our struggles through a lens of mercy instead of shame. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ frequently taught his companions about emotions such as anger, jealousy and fear, and always with wisdom and compassion. Similarly, we should extend kindness to ourselves when we are facing emotional and psychological challenges.
Knowledge is a form of self-care. It can turn confusion into clarity, bring light to dark places and struggle to strength. It can help us move from What’s wrong with me? to What has happened to me, and how can I seek help?
3. Be generous and stay connected
Generosity is not only about money. It is also about giving time, attention, and kindness. When we give to others, it often improves our own wellbeing.
Simple examples include:
Volunteering at a local charity or mosque project
Checking in on an elderly neighbour
Being there for a friend who is struggling
Offering a listening ear without judgement
These actions are deeply valued in Islam and can bring a sense of purpose and contentment. They remind us that we are not alone and that we still have something meaningful to offer, even when we feel low.
4. Practise mindful presence with Allah
Mindfulness is the practice of being present with your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations, rather than constantly running from them. For Muslims, this can be closely connected to our worship.
You might try:
Slowing down your breathing before starting salah
Focusing on the meanings of the words you recite
Repeating a short dhikr, such as SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, or La ilaha illa Allah, while noticing your breath
Taking a few minutes to sit quietly after prayer, simply observing what you feel without judging it
Over time, these practices can calm the nervous system and gently reduce everyday anxiety. They do not replace professional support when needed, but they are powerful tools for managing stress and reconnecting with Allah in the middle of a busy life.
Final Thoughts: Your Mental Health Matters to Allah
Many of us have heard phrases like, ‘Whatever you’re going through, just pray about it.’ Salah and du‘a are essential, but when these phrases are used to shut down real pain, they can leave people feeling even more alone:
Maybe my iman is weak.
Maybe Allah is punishing me.
Maybe I should just get over it.
Mental health conditions are not laziness, attention-seeking, or a sign that you are far from Allah’s mercy. They are as real as heart disease or diabetes. The same way you would not ignore physical symptoms, we should not ignore persistent sadness, panic, or emotional overwhelm.
Caring for your mind and heart is part of caring for your deen. Therapy, social support, lifestyle changes, and spiritual practices can all work together.
If you are a Muslim in Manchester or the Northwest and feel it might be time to talk to someone, I offer confidential, culturally aware and Islamically informed counselling. You deserve to be heard with compassion and without judgement.
If you are in immediate crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please contact your GP, NHS 111, or emergency services straight away. Your life has immense value, and reaching out is a courageous step.
Common Questions About Islamic Counselling
Is it Islamic to see a therapist?
Yes. Islam encourages us to seek treatment for our difficulties. Just as we would see a doctor for a physical illness, we can seek a counsellor or therapist for emotional and psychological struggles. This does not replace du‘a and worship, it works alongside them.
How is Islamic counselling different from regular counselling?
An Islamic counsellor will:
Respect your beliefs and religious practices
Understand Muslim family and community dynamics
Be able to integrate Islamic concepts such as tawakkul, sabr, and qadr into the work where appropriate
The core therapeutic skills (such as empathy, active listening and evidence-based techniques) remain, but the approach is more aligned with your faith and values.
Do I have to be really struggling to start counselling?
No. Many people seek counselling when they notice they are not coping as well as before, or when they feel stuck in a pattern. You do not need a diagnosis to benefit from therapy. In fact, seeking help early can prevent problems from worsening.
Can I speak to a Muslim female counsellor in Manchester?
If you are a Muslim woman in Manchester or the Northwest, you may prefer to speak to a female Muslim therapist who understands your background. My practice offers confidential, faith-sensitive counselling with this in mind, whether face-to-face or online.Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
