Entering the month of Muharram, Muslims are invited to reflect on the meaning of hijrah in greater depth, especially in the context of modern life. In addition to marking the turn of the Hijri year, this momentum is considered highly relevant for self-evaluation to build strong mental health and strengthen emotional bonding within the family. This emerged in a study held by LPPOM at the Global Halal Center (GHC) office with Ustaz Suhendi Alkhathab.
In his presentation, Ustaz Suhendi, who is a preacher for the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) as well as a lecturer at Fatahillah, explained that the essence of hijrah is not merely moving physically. Hijrah is an ongoing process of self-improvement, leaving bad habits behind, and drawing closer to the Creator. He reminded that a person's piety is also reflected in how they lead and bring peace into their own household.
Regarding the increasingly discussed issue of mental health, Ustaz Suhendi emphasized that being mentally healthy does not mean living a life free of problems. The main characteristic of a healthy soul is gratitude and inner satisfaction with the blessings one has. By being grateful, a person will not constantly compare their fate with others, making their heart more peaceful and serene.
Furthermore, mental health is also closely correlated with productivity that brings benefits to others, as well as the ability to manage stress wisely. In Islam's view, the strongest foundation of mental health comes from the spiritual aspect. Through routine worship such as Tahajjud prayer, reading the Qur'an, and dhikr, a servant can find the best place to lean on to calm emotional turmoil.
On the other hand, family warmth is now often eroded by busy schedules and excessive use of gadgets. Therefore, rebuilding warm communication, dining together, and spending time praying in congregation are important efforts to create family resilience. Through this spirit of Muharram, the community is invited to migrate from complaints to gratitude for the realization of a harmonious and mentally healthy household.
