This article begins by citing a book, then extends the discussion of how spirituality and well-being are intertwined and the roles they can play in healing the psychological impacts of war. The article is not a research paper, nor a traditional book review, and AI assistance was used to create the image and to conclude some ideas.
While wars may be fought on physical battlegrounds, their repercussions extend far beyond the visible scars. The aftermath of war often lingers in the psyche of individuals and communities, manifesting as emotional disorientation, grief, and a deep sense of loss. Even when the violence ceases and peace is declared, survivors continue to carry the weight of war memories that echo in silence, and wounds that remain unseen. The transition from war to peace is not merely a political or physical process; it is an internal journey that demands emotional and spiritual reconciliation.
For these individuals, while the physical war marked by bloodshed and death may have ended, an internal war often continues indefinitely. The brutality, profound loss, and enduring loneliness do not fade easily. These emotional wounds linger long after the visible ones have healed. Recovering from such trauma is not simple. Achieving emotional healing and making peace with both what remains and what has been lost is an immense, deeply personal challenge.
In this context, pursuing spiritual and emotional well-being becomes essential. Spiritual reflection offers a framework for making sense of suffering, searching for purpose in loss, and fostering a sense of connection and hope. Emotional well-being, on the other hand, provides the tools for resilience through self-awareness, empathy, and the development of coping strategies. Together, they create a path toward healing: not by erasing trauma, but by integrating it into a larger narrative of growth and meaning. For individuals recovering from war, this inner work can be the most profound form of resistance—a reclaiming of peace within, when the world outside has long been at war.
A friend recently brought along two books by the same author as a thoughtful gift when she visited me a few months back. I was immediately drawn to Healing the Emptiness: A Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Well-being, a title that resonated deeply with me. Authored by Yasmin Mogahed and first published in 2022, the book offers profound insights into emotional recovery and spiritual growth. In this article, I aim to explore how the themes in Mogahed’s work closely relate to the process of healing from the trauma of war, particularly the journey toward internal peace after profound external conflict.
The book starts with a few powerful messages I want to share as we continue the discussion. The following paragraphs include a few quotes from Mogahed (2022).
We are misled when we believe that the emptiness we feel can be filled by fulfilling our endless needs. These needs may be exhibited in various forms that may be healthy or unhealthy, such as the need to be loved, to be rich, to have a high status, and a high education or refuge in drugs, online life or activities that may be destructive for us and others. These are all tranquillizers, not ways to heal the emptiness. The wound of Divine separation cannot be healed by any of these. We believe that all such paths can lead to fill our emptiness, whereas ‘we can never be whole without Him’ p.5. ‘Our heart is starving for God.’ P.9.
Acknowledging the wound itself is the first step to healing. How can we start an effective treatment without an accurate diagnosis? Before discussing any other wounds, the first wound considered is the wound of separation from God. ‘We were chosen to come down to this world. It was not a punishment. It was an honour given to humans…and what greater honour could there be than to be a deputy of God, a carrier of God’s light and love in this world?’ p.3. Consequently, the author describes the separation from God as a wound that needs healing: …this is the wound of Divine separation. Even beneath our own consciousness, we have an undeniable need for our deepest wound to be healed by God. It is the very essence of humanness, and our need. Our need for love.’ P.4. Mogahed (2022) further explains that it’s not the need for love only, but also ‘security, acceptance, appreciation, understanding, and significance’ p.4. All our actions and behaviours are driven by these needs. Hidden beneath all these needs is the need to fill the hollowness created by separation from the Divine.
Mogahed (2022) advises that we can heal this emptiness by recognizing that purity and love for God are the only paths to healing. ‘God wants every one of us to be healed and whole in peace.’ P.5. Nonetheless, we have to walk our path to reach the destination of healing. Walking this path is not easy. We may experience pain and pleasure, despair and hope, defeatism and resilience and the capability to thrive while on this journey.
We believe we know what is best for us, but the truth is that only God knows what is best for us! Many times, we are unable to understand the whys of our pain and losses, yet those are the essential parts of our journey toward healing the emptiness.
This concept is similar to what many scholars and philosophers have advocated in the past as well. However, the current author presented her thoughts in the context of Psychology and with real-life examples, making it easier for readers to connect with her explanations.
The human heart was not created for the weight of worldly affairs and pains, especially the traumas of war. If it keeps filling up with desires, love, hatred, envy, jealousy, ego, and other negative feelings —feelings of satan —it cannot establish a good connection with God, as explained by Mogahed (2022).
The advice here is to keep the heart clean for spiritual and emotional health. The heart was created for God, not for people, money, career, status, etc. The heart was created for all positive feelings, so that it stays connected to God and He can have a good space in our hearts. How can we keep God’s house, our hearts full of negative feelings? Our desires, especially wealth and status, are the biggest enemies of a pure heart!
Healing the Heart: A Journey Towards Spiritual and Emotional Wellbeing
The human heart was never designed to carry the weight of this world’s burdens, not the pain of betrayal, the cravings of unchecked desires, nor the poison of envy, ego, jealousy, or hatred. When overwhelmed with such feelings, the heart becomes clouded, its true purpose concealed beneath layers of worldly distractions.
Our hearts were created for something far greater: a deep, unwavering connection with God. They are sanctuaries meant for love, gratitude, compassion, humility, and sincerity. These are the qualities that allow the Divine to reside within us. When we fill our hearts with worldly attachments — wealth, status, and power — we unknowingly invite their harmful consequences into our lives. These attachments become the heart’s greatest enemies, pulling us away from our Creator and from inner peace.
When we step outside the boundaries set by God, we don’t harm Him; we harm ourselves (Mogahed, 2022). His rules are not burdens, but safeguards for our hearts and souls. Consider this: if God is the ultimate Physician, His guidance and commandments are the prescriptions for a healthy heart. When we ignore these divine prescriptions, we invite spiritual illness. The trials and tests we face in life are not punishments but reminders —gentle nudges from our Creator — to return to Him before our hearts harden beyond recognition.
It is often in moments of crisis that the true condition of our heart is revealed. Pain and hardship expose what lies beneath the surface. And as any good physician would tell us, healing begins with diagnosis. We must be courageous enough to examine the root causes of our spiritual ailments. Only then can we begin the journey toward genuine healing.
The Path to Healing the Heart
1. Diagnose the Root Causes
Understand what truly burdens our hearts. Is it pride? Anger? Fear? Loss? Are we holding onto past wounds or chasing fleeting worldly gains? Awareness is the first step toward healing.
2. Remove the Barriers
Like a wound that cannot heal if infected, a heart cannot heal if cluttered with toxic attachments. Let go of resentment, grudges, envy, and harmful desires. Create space within for God’s light to enter.
3. Treat the Wound with Divine Connection
Prayer, reflection, gratitude, and sincere repentance are the medicines for a broken heart. Lean on God in our weakness, and we will find strength. He may not always change our circumstances, but He will surely transform our hearts if we allow Him.
4. Guard the Heart with Mindful Living
Once healed, protect our heart with conscious choices, guard our words, intentions, relationships, and actions. Don’t let old wounds reopen by falling back into harmful patterns.
5. Knowledge That Transforms
Knowledge isn’t just information; it’s a means of transformation. When we learn about God, ourselves, and the true purpose of life, we begin to treat others with more compassion, patience, and understanding, reflecting divine mercy in our everyday actions.
6. Compassion Beyond Cruelty
Choosing compassion in the face of cruelty is not weakness; it is a profound resilience. It reflects the ability to maintain one's values even when tested by injustice or suffering. It encourages a culture where goodness is proactive rather than reactive.
Compassion has the power to heal not only others but also us. It breaks cycles of harm and fosters environments where reconciliation and growth are possible. Whether in personal relationships, social justice, or global conflicts, this principle applies universally. It calls for a higher ethical standard that does not mirror cruelty but transforms it.
7. Trust in Divine Timing and Mercy
Patience (Sab’r) is more than passive waiting; it is active submission to God’s perfect timing. True patience means doing our best while trusting wholeheartedly in His plan, even when the outcomes differ from our desires.
Remember, no sin is too great for God’s mercy. His forgiveness surpasses our comprehension. Shift our focus from the weight of our mistakes to the vastness of His compassion. The journey isn’t about how far we’ve fallen but about how earnestly we turn back to Him.
8. The Power of Gratitude and Service
Gratitude is a powerful key to happiness. When we learn to be thankful in all circumstances for the blessings, the challenges, and the lessons, we unlock peace that transcends understanding. Serving others with love and sincerity strengthens both our hearts and our spirits. Giving meaning to our lives builds resilience and a sense of purpose that no hardship can shake.
Even in loss, God is giving. Even in hardship, He is present. He waits for our call, always ready to respond with love and mercy.
9. The Heart’s Resilience
Be like a tender plant in the storm, soft, flexible, and able to withstand harsh winds. A rigid tree breaks under pressure, but a gentle plant survives because it bends without breaking. The heart, too, must be humble and adaptable to endure life’s trials with grace.
When overwhelmed, pouring our hearts out can help, but only to Allah. His embrace is the safest refuge. The world and its fleeting attractions are temporary; let our hearts be attached to the Eternal instead of the perishable.
Healing the heart is a journey of intentional transformation—one that begins with honest introspection and leads to divine connection. By removing inner barriers and embracing spiritual remedies, we allow God’s mercy to mend what the world
has broken. Compassion beyond cruelty becomes not just a choice, but a reflection of divine strength within us. As we guard our hearts and deepen our knowledge, we cultivate a life of purpose, resilience, and grace. Trusting in divine timing and embracing gratitude empowers us to serve others with sincerity, even in hardships. Ultimately, the heart’s resilience lies in its ability to remain soft, humble, and anchored in the Eternal-thriving not despite trials but through them.
References
Mogahed, Y. (2022). Healing the emptiness: A guide to emotional and spiritual well-being. IDIFY Publishing.
About the Author
Dr. Fizza Sabir is a senior lecturer with over 20 years of experience in teaching and research across Australia and Pakistan. She coordinates and teaches postgraduate courses in wellbeing, research design, educational psychology, and project management. She also supervises Master’s and PhD theses. Her research interests include wellbeing, inclusiveness, spirituality, human behaviour, and teacher-student relationships. Contact: fizza@vastbc.ca
