What is the psychological impact of recitation of the Qur'an?

Pars Today- An expert of family issues said, "Studying the verses of the Qur'an and pondering on them soothes the heart and teaches man a sort of self-cognizance, so that he gets familiar with his abilities and defects."

Pars Today, quoting from Hossein Alizadeh Kuzekonan, specializing in family issues, said on the impact of reciting of the Qur'an on the spirit in view of psychology, "The Qur'an gives a special reference to meaning-therapy (logotherapy) and we will realize the meaning of the divine word through recitation of the verses. For instance, we seek a meaning for whatever we do so that it is [done] for God's pleasure. In that case, no matter if we fail or triumph, we are successful since God Himself is our customer."

Alizadeh added, "Studying the text of the verses of the Qur'an calms the hearts and puts the body and spirit in the course of the same text. The tongue is controlled, the eyes look correctly, the hands are clean and the human feet walk in the right path and the path of truth. The result of this process will be the training of a faithful and righteous man."

Creation of joy and exhilaration

This expert of family issues stated on the psychological effects of the Qur'an, "As the verses of the Qur'an are the word of God and have been revealed for human guidance and sublimity of spirit, the content of the verses is in a way that it is compliant with human psychological and personality characteristics. Even when non-Muslim persons hear the divine verses and think over them, they say that these words cause a kind of hope, joy and happiness as if they were speaking of their missing things."

Mutual friendship

Alizadeh continued, "The Messenger of God and the Infallible Imams (Blessings of God upon them) have been quoted as saying that even looking at the verses of the Qur'an calms the human heart and brings about inner purity. Therefore, anyone who loves the Qur'an, the Qur'an will love him, too. In fact, the relation with the Qur'an is the relation with good things as God has mentioned good things and whatever leads man to happiness in the Qur'an, and he who is related with good things, will remain good."

Self-cognizance lesson

The author of the book, "Dignity-inducing Behaviors in Children's Education" went on to say, "God has talked about the psychological, personality, physical, behavioral and faith characteristics of individuals in the Qur'an. Then he who recites the verses of the Qur'an and reflects on their meaning, he will learn a kind of self-cognizance and will become acquainted with his own abilities and defects."

Alizadeh Kuzekonan, also, said, "The relation with the Qur'an will make the reciter of the divine verses familiar with the Qur'anic vocabulary and, little by little, his words and remarks will be Qur'anic. Familiarity with the Qur'anic vocabulary will lead human mind and organs in the same path and the individual will gradually get a Qur'anic conduct."

Firm psychological support

Alizadeh made it clear, "One of the important impacts of the Qur'an is that it constantly calls on humans towards good deeds, and emphasizes that victory is with the good ones, and that nobody's reward will be disturbed, and this good news is a firm psychological support for humans to continue good deeds."

Balance of behavior

This expert of family issues then stated, "Studies reveal that relation with and recitation of the divine verses [of the Qur'an] will create a beam of spirituality, propriety, serenity and healthy behavior in human being, and the individual will consider himself in the presence of the Book of God; hence, he will be ashamed of sinning. Recitation of the divine verses, especially with understanding their meaning, reduces pugnacity, balances behaviors and strengthens hope in God in human beings."

Prevention of despair

The author of the book, "Educational Writings" said, "Many of the low psychological ailments, jealousy, arrogance, comparing oneself with others and despair perish with recitation of the verses of the Qur'an and attaining Qur'anic morality, and the individual will be calmed psychologically and behaviorally."

Molding healthy personality

He went on to say, "Familiarity with the divine traditions and the fact that truth is always victorious and falsehood is bound to perish, has psychologically important effects in human beings. A faithful person always considers God as his support and believes that God is with him. This belief, which has been gained from the Qur'anic verses, will create a healthy, dignified and hopeful personality which is patient in the face of problems."

Creation of pragmatism

This teacher of family issues concluded, "The verses of the Qur'an put emphasis on human pragmatism because mere faith is not enough; hence, to turn faith into practice, it requires to have righteous deed and, now, psychologists maintain that one of the ways to cure stresses and depressions is to do good deeds."  

RM/UR