The Integration of Maqasid Al-Shariah in the Study of Mental Health: Towards an Islamic Holistic Well-Being Framework

Siti Aisyah Ismail; Ulfa Nabila Salahuddin; Anies Alyaa Azman; Nur Zakirah Asmawi

doi:10.55265/al-maqasid.v6i1.321

Authors

Siti Aisyah Ismail Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Ulfa Nabila Salahuddin Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Anies Alyaa Azman Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Nur Zakirah Asmawi Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55265/al-maqasid.v6i1.321

Keywords:

Maqasid al-Shariah, Mental Health, Islamic Well-being Framework, Western Psychology, Holistic Approach

Abstract

The growing rates of mental health problems reveal the shortcomings of current psychological approaches that tend to disregard the spiritual and moral aspects of well-being. This study examines how Maqasid al-Shariah can be integrated into the field of mental health to create an Islamic framework for holistic well-being. While classical Islamic teachings emphasise the protection of intellect (aql), faith (din), and self (nafs) as fundamental for human well-being, present mental health concerns demand treatments that integrate traditional principles with contemporary psychological understanding. The main objective of this study is to examine mental health from both Islamic and Western perspectives, analyse theoretical models used in psychology, and propose a framework grounded in Maqasid al-Shariah that supports holistic well-being. This study employed a qualitative method that adopts a library-based methodology, examining classical Islamic sources alongside contemporary literature on psychology and well-being. The analysis examines Western theoretical models alongside Islamic perspectives on din, aql, and nafs, highlighting points of convergence and divergence. Preliminary findings suggest that Maqaṣid al-Shariah offers a comprehensive framework for fostering holistic well-being through spiritual resilience, moral integrity, and social harmony. The study concludes that using Maqasid al-Shariah in understanding mental health promotes a more inclusive, faith-based approach, adding Islamic ethical and spiritual guidance to current psychological practices.

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