Prof Hamim: Ramadan as a Momentum to Maintain and Strengthen Mental Health
Fasting during the month of Ramadan not only provides benefits for physical health but also positively impacts mental health. Ramadan serves as an important moment for Muslims to improve their overall well-being, both physically and spiritually.
Professor at IPB University, Prof Hamim, explained that the unique atmosphere of Ramadan, distinct from other months, can create inner calm that helps reduce stress and anxiety.
“Ramadan is a very important moment for Muslims, because during this month, Allah SWT creates an environment and circumstances different from ordinary months. In one of His teachings, the Prophet Muhammad SAW conveyed that ‘the devils are chained’,” he stated.
According to Prof Hamim, mental health issues can arise due to various factors, such as environmental pressures, life challenges, or past experiences. These conditions may lead an individual to feel emotionally burdened and experience unusual psychological states.
He added that one of the sources of mental health problems comes from past experiences. From the perspective of Islamic psychology, the solution offered is to draw closer to Allah SWT.
“Make Ramadan a month to strengthen your closeness to Allah by increasing dhikr and reading the Qur’an. In doing so, the soul becomes calmer, and we can seek forgiveness for all sins to live a better life in the future,” he explained.
Furthermore, Prof Hamim emphasized that Ramadan does not exempt individuals from their daily activities. On the contrary, activities such as studying, conducting research, engaging in discussions, and working can become acts of worship if carried out with sincere intentions.
“I am confident that activities such as lectures, research, discussions, and work will not be disrupted during Ramadan. In fact, for a Muslim, all of these activities can be considered acts of worship,” he elaborated.
In the context of mental health, Prof Hamim noted that Ramadan provides an opportunity for individuals who feel psychologically burdened to release that load. Feelings of guilt and inner pressure can be alleviated as spiritual awareness grows.
“Gradually, a person will return to Allah with a clearer state of mind and renewed spirit. Allah SWT encourages that goodness should not be mixed with wrongdoing. Good intentions and proper actions will produce good outcomes,” he revealed.
He added that Islam encourages its followers to achieve an optimal life balance during Ramadan. Allah SWT promises forgiveness for those who perform Ramadan rituals with sincere faith and devotion.
“If a person fasts during Ramadan with full faith and sincerity, Allah SWT will forgive past sins, no matter how severe those sins may be,” he said.
Concluding his explanation, Prof Hamim encouraged all Muslims to make Ramadan a moment to harmonize worldly life with a vertical relationship with Allah SWT.
“This is the time to balance and align our daily lives with our vertical relationship with Allah, as regulated by religion, in a unified manner,” he concluded. (AS) (IAAS/FHD)
