THE CONCEPT OF LOVE IN ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY, AS A POSITIVE EMOTION TO REDUCE ANXIETY IN THE CONTEXT OF ATTACHMENT THEORY

Abstract

Considering the importance of mental health, which plays a key role in every aspect of our social life, it is very essential for man to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety. Mental health is severely affected by environmental traumas, economic imbalances, and social pressures.

Psychology has been exploring the causes and solutions of mental stress and anxiety for long. In this context, John Bowlby (1969) proposed 'attachment theory' to address fear and other traumas in childhood and adolescence. They concluded that it is much easier to deal with these issues if there is a caregiver or a protector in one's life.

When researchers turned to spirituality to find solutions to mental disorders in humans, the 'Attachment to God' (ATG) theory was propounded by Christian scholars. They claimed that this theory could provide a framework to solve anxiety and stress problems. Islamic spiritual scholars also have been addressing psychological problems and emotional instabilities in the context of love and attachment to Allah Almighty. Time demands that new dimensions of this knowledge should be developed on a scientific basis in the light of Islamic spirituality, and more threads related to mental health and closeness to Allah should be explored.

This paper will discuss only, how attachment to Allah al- mighty, His prophets, and spiritual mentors can help a Muslim to remain calm, relaxed, and contented in times of calamities and traumas. It will also present different degrees or stages of love with Allah, by achieving these levels one can attain greater inner and spiritual peace. To find this we will review some Islamic and spiritual texts; Quranic verses, sayings of Rasool- ul-Allah s.a.w, and some spiritual work of Islamic scholars and Sufis. Qualitative and historical research methods will be adopted in this research.