Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah Madinah.
JSI by IAI TABAH is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.
0 International License.
Submitted Revised Published 15 February 2025 04 March 2025 23 Marc 2025 DOI: https://doi.
org/10.
58518/madinah.
IMPROVING BRAIN NEUROPLASTICITY IN CONCENTRATION,
EMOTIONAL CONTROL.
AND COGNITIVE POWER THROUGH
DHIKR
Rifqatul Husna Universitas Nurul Jadid Probolinggo.
Indonesia E-mail: rifqatulhusna@unuja.
Arina Isa Salsabila Universitas Nurul Jadid Probolinggo.
Indonesia E-mail: iat.
2110200042@unuja.
Salih Abdulrahman Alsounusi Al-Asmarya Islamic University Libya.
Libya E-mail: salih.
assenhaji01@gmail.
ABSTRACT: This study aims to identify the effect of dhikr on brain neuroplasticity and its implications for mental health.
Using the thematic tafsir method, this study collects and analyses Qur'anic verses related to dhikr and mental health and examines books of tafsir as primary data sources.
In contrast, secondary data are taken from books and scientific journal articles.
The results show that the practice of dhikr can form new neural pathways related to concentration, emotional control, and improved cognitive abilities.
Regular dhikr activities are proven to strengthen the brain's synaptic connections and improve the optimization of brain function through engaged focus.
These findings indicate a convergence between spiritual practices and scientific findings, making dhikr an effective way to improve mental health and overall quality of life.
Keywords: Al-Quran.
Dhikr.
Neuroplasticity.
Emotional Control.
Cognitive Power ABSTRAK: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi pengaruh dzikir terhadap neuroplastisitas otak dan implikasinya terhadap kesehatan mental.
Dengan menggunakan metode tafsir tematik, penelitian ini menghimpun dan menganalisis ayat-ayat Al-Qur'an yang berkaitan dengan dzikir dan kesehatan mental, serta mengkaji kitab-kitab tafsir sebagai sumber data primer, sedangkan data sekunder diambil dari buku-buku dan artikel jurnal ilmiah.
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa praktik dzikir dapat meningkatkan kerja neuroplastisitas otak dengan menghasilkan pembentukan jalur saraf baru yang berhubungan 29 Rifqatul Husna et.
Improving Brain Neuroplasticity.
Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah dengan konsentrasi, pengendalian emosi, dan peningkatan kemampuan kognitif.
Aktivitas dzikir secara rutin terbukti memperkuat koneksi sinaptik otak dan meningkatkan optimalisasi fungsi otak melalui fokus yang terlibat.
Temuan ini menunjukkan adanya konvergensi antara praktik spiritual dan temuan ilmiah, menjadikan dzikir sebagai cara yang efektif untuk meningkatkan kesehatan mental dan kualitas hidup secara menyeluruh Kata Kunci: Al-QurAoan.
Dzikir.
Neuroplastisitas otak
INTRODUCTION
Mental health is an important aspect to maintain for every individual to ensure a good quality of life.
With good mental health, individuals can enjoy life In Indonesia, mental decadence is an undeniable content.
This is evidenced by the increasing number of cases of mental disorders.
Data from the Indonesian Community Mental Health Index Year 2023 shows that around 20 million people experience mental health problems, including anxiety and depression with suicide among adolescents.
Many adolescents report having attempted suicide influenced by physical, emotional and social factors.
1 Public awareness about mental health is still relatively low and limited access to mental health services is a major obstacle.
One approach that can be pursued is an approach that integrates spiritual and scientific dimensions to improve mental health, for example through the practice of Islamic meditation called dhikr.
Meditation is often associated with religious or spiritual practices.
However, today many meditation techniques are applied in a medical context without involving religious elements.
Dhikr provides positive spiritual benefits on mental health through the brain's neuroplasticity process.
The brain can adapt, repair, and reshape neural pathways based on repeated experiences and habits.
The practice of Islamic meditation .
is through the repetition of holy words or sentences, which can help build positive mindsets and emotions that have an impact on brain structure and function, to get closer to God which has implications for inner calm.
By remembering Allah consistently, individuals can achieve greater emotional stability, allowing them to deal with life's stresses more effectively.
This activity not only promotes inner calm but also helps in managing daily stress and 4 The Qur'an encourages Muslims to always dhikr .
emember Alla.
as a 1 Nazula Hidayatul MaAorufa.
Assyifa Nur Rumaisha, and Fuad Nashori.
AuPengaruh Terapi Zikir Istigfar Terhadap Depresi Pada Mahasiswa,Ay Psychopolytan : Jurnal Psikologi 7, no.
: 52Ae61.
2 Rifqatul Husna.
Ach Zayyadi, and Dwiki Oktafiana.
AuThe Relationship of Faith and Tolerance in The Film One Amen Two Faith: Living QurAoan Perspective,Ay Jurnal Islam Nusantara 6, no.
1Ae10.
3 Dwi Engel and Nazwa Zakiatus Salma.
AuTinjauan Literatur: Manfaat Dzikir Dalam Regulasi Emosi,Ay Jurnal Pendidikan Islam dan Sosial Agama 03, no.
: 289Ae301, https://journal.
id/index.
php/annajah/article/view/289-301.
4 Emilia Mustary.
AuTerapi Relaksasi Dzikir Untuk Mengurangi Depresi,Ay Indonesian Journal of Islamic Counseling 3, no.
: 1Ae9, http://ejurnal.
id/index.
php/ijic.
30 Rifqatul Husna et.
Improving Brain Neuroplasticity.
Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah way to gain peace of mind, thus having an impact on mental health.
There have been several of these previous studies by Sarihat .
in the article AuThe Secret of Soul Tranquility in the Qur'an: A Thematic Tafsir StudyAy This study examines Qur'anic verses related to faith and peace of mind.
The results show many verses that emphasize calmness, such as Surah Al-Fajr 27-30.
Peace of mind can be achieved through dhikr (Surah Ar-Ra'd .
and other worship practices such as prayer, fasting, zakat, and reading the Qur'an.
Umar Latif's research .
entitled AuDhikr and Mental Spiritual Fulfillment Efforts in the Perspective of the Qur'anAy aims to explore the concept of dhikr and understand its meaning in a spiritual and psychological context.
This research shows that dhikr plays an important role in shifting the focus of the individual's mind from worldly matters to awareness of God and the afterlife.
Regular practice of dhikr can improve emotional control and reduce anxiety, which has a positive impact on mental health.
Dhikr is a spiritual practice that helps overcome anxiety and negative thoughts.
6 Other research was found on the exploration of dhikr and its effects on mental health that focused on non-religious approaches .
ethods that do not involve the belief of religious norm.
such as Meanwhile, the focus of this research is on the process of brain neuroplasticity through dhikr which has implications for mental health, which has not yet been found.
This suggests that there is still a lack of understanding of the impact of dhikr on the brain and mental health, especially on the brain's ability to adapt and form new neural networks.
Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effect of dhikr as an Islamic meditation practice on mental health through the process of brain neuroplasticity by referring to Quranic verses.
In addition, dhikr is also explored by researchers on how it affects brain neuroplasticity and its implications for mental health.
METHOD
This research is a qualitative study.
Qualitative studies emphasize the aspect of deep understanding of a phenomenon and assume that every phenomenon must have a pattern that can be revealed.
8 The type of research used is library research, which examines some literature related to dhikr, brain neuroplasticity, and its impact on mental health.
To achieve these goals, this 5 Sarihat.
AuRahasia Ketenangan Jiwa Dalam Al-QurAoan,Ay MAGHZA: Jurnal Ilmu Al-QurAoan dan Tafsir 6, no.
: 30Ae46.
6 Umar Latif.
AuDzikir Dan Upaya Pemenuhan Mental-Spiritual Dalam Perspektif Al-QurAoan,Ay AtTaujih : Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam 5, no.
: 28.
7 Putri Paula Nathania Chrisna and Rudangta Arianti.
AuMeditasi Agama Buddha : Sejahtera Psikologis Dengan Mindfulness,Ay Jurnal Pendidikan dan Konseling (JPDK) 5, no.
: 2808Ae2816, https://journal.
id/index.
php/jpdk/article/view/13682.
8 Rukminingsih.
Gunawan Adnan, and Mohammad Adnan Latief.
Metode Penelitian Pendidikan.
Penelitian Kuantitatif.
Penelitian Kualitatif.
Penelitian Tindakan Kelas.
Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, vol.
53, 2020.
31 Rifqatul Husna et.
Improving Brain Neuroplasticity.
Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah research uses primary data sources in the form of interpretations of Quranic verses and secondary sources such as books and scientific journal articles.
The thematic interpretation method will be implemented to collect Qur'anic verses related to dhikr.
The thematic interpretation method allows the researcher to determine key themes in the Qur'anic verses and relate them to the broader context, including psychological and neurological aspects.
In this regard, researchers can grasp the essence of the deep meaning of dhikr from a spiritual and scientific perspective, as well as understand how the practice of dhikr can contribute to positive changes in brain structure and function.
Using the thematic interpretation method, this study aims to present a more comprehensive perspective on the relationship between spiritual practices and mental health.
Descriptive analysis was also applied to describe the characteristics of the data without generalizing.
DISCUSSION
Dhikr (Islamic Meditatio.
and Mental Health Dhikr has a deep and varied meaning.
Dhikr comes from the Arabic aOae aE aA-aE a a a eEA- which means "to mention" or "to remember" Allah and things related to Allah.
In the Qur'an, dhikr is often interpreted as a way of praising Allah by upholding all forms of worship that the servant does to God.
9 According to al-Ghazali, dhikr is one of the very strong pillars of taqarrub ilallah.
This remembrance can also be termed the guru's tariqah, where one never comes to God physically but is always present with their heart through the regular and continuous practice of dhikr.
From the definition above, dhikr can be called Islamic meditation, dhikr is the most common form of Islamic meditation, in which a person repeatedly mentions the names of Allah or sentences such as "Subhanallah" (Glory be to Alla.
, "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Alla.
, and "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is Grea.
This activity not only affects peace of mind but also has a spiritual purpose, which is to get closer to Allah to achieve peace of mind.
In several verses of the Qur'an.
Allah commands His servants to always remember Him.
QS.
Surah al-Ahzab (Surah .
, verse 41:
ca aAOaOac aNaEacaOIa aIIaOae aE aOA
AOA
U aAcEEa a eE Ua aEA AuO you who believe, remember .
n the name o.
Allah, as much as possible.
Ay This verse invites every believing individual to remember Allah a lot.
This verse contains an order for believers to remember Allah consistently and Misbakhul Khaer.
AuMakna Dzikir Dalam Perspektif Tafsir SyaAorAw (Studi Analisis Terhadap Tafsir Surat Al-RaAod Ayat .
,Ay AQWAL Journal of QurAoan and Hadis Studies 2, no.
: 151Ae168.
10 Ismi Rahma Marwiyah.
AuImplementasi Dzikir Sebagai Terapi Sufistik Untuk Mencegah Stres Pada Ibu Rumah Tangga,Ay Gunung Djati Conference Series 19 .
: 530Ae540.
Abd Basid.
Ach Naufal Maulana, and Wahid Robith Lutfillah.
AuTaAowil Al-QurAoan Imam Al-Ghazali: Telaah Metodologis Atas Kitab Tafsir Al-Imam Al-Ghazali Karya Muhammad Al-Rihani,Ay Firdaus: Jurnal Keislaman.
Pemikiran Islam, dan Living QurAoan 2, no.
: 147Ae165.
11 Sabarudin.
AuKonsep Dzikir Perspektif Hadis,Ay Minaret Journal Of Relegious Studies 1 .
: 81Ae86.
32 Rifqatul Husna et.
Improving Brain Neuroplasticity.
Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah intensively, both through the heart, tongue, and actions.
The word "dhikron katsiron" .
uch dhik.
indicates the importance of the continuity of dhikr as a form of devotion and closeness to Allah.
This verse also emphasizes that dhikr is one way to maintain a spiritual connection with Allah, provide peace of mind, and practice sincerity in worship.
Dhikr connects the human soul to Allah and makes it always feel the presence of Allah SWT.
Indeed, the most obvious dhikr is prayer.
every word, movement, and even the second beat of the heart should be directed to Him.
But the explanation in the book of Tafsir al-Misbah by Quraish Shihab, he quotes from Thahir Ibn 'Ashur that dhikr contains two things, the first is dhikr with the tongue, including reading the Qur'an, studying, and conducting studies and research.
The second is dhikr with the heart.
Dhikr with heart means remembering Allah in all His commands and prohibitions.
Ibn Atha'illah al-Sakandary argues that dhikr serves as a way to keep away from negligence and always remember Allah wholeheartedly.
This is in line with the view of 'Abdal-Mun'im Hifni, who sees dhikr as a way out of negligence towards full awareness .
In this process, there is a feeling of fear .
and deep love for Allah, which is expressed through certain sentences that are repeated, according to the will of the person doing dhikr.
14 Thus, dhikr becomes a verbal activity that is a high spiritual awareness to get closer to Him.
This practice promotes better mental health by fostering a sense of calmness, hope, and emotional strength in the face of stress.
Dhikr, which means remembering Allah, is one way of practising the teachings of the Qur'an.
By doing dhikr, a person remembers and reflects on the verses of Allah, which will have an impact on the peace of the soul.
As in Surah Al-Isra verse 82, dhikr is one of the ways to feel the AuantidoteAy promised by Allah for believers.
Allah ta'ala said:
ca aIaa aIa aN aOaa a aO a e aIaa aE eE aIe aIIaOIa aO aEaaOa aOA
U AA
a AE aE aIOIa au acEaa aA a AaOIaI aa aEaa aIIa eECa eA " And We have sent down from the Qur'an an antidote and a mercy for those who And the Qur'An does not add to the wrongdoers anything but harm.
Before verse 82.
Allah describes Prophet Muhammad's night journey (Isra') and how he was given revelation.
This shows that the Qur'An is the result of a very important and extraordinary spiritual experience.
In this context, verse 82 reinforces the role of the Qur'An as a result of this journey that brings goodness to 12 Raja.
Mukhammad.
Mahmud Zufriyatun.
Baharuddin.
AuKonsep Dzikir Dalam Al-Quran Surat Al-Ahzab Ayat: 41-42 (Studi Tafsir Al-Misba.
,Ay jurnal madani institute 11, no.
: 41Ae42.
13 Quraish Shihab.
AuTafsir Al- Misbah.
Pesan.
Kesan.
Dan Kreasi Al- QurAoan(Al-Misbah Volume .
,Ay 2007.
14 Mohammad AsyAoari.
AuMenggali Misteri Dibalik Dahsyatnya Dzikir,Ay Sustainability (Switzerlan.
11, no.
: 1Ae14, http://scioteca.
com/bitstream/handle/123456789/1091/RED2017-Eng8ene.
pdf?sequence=12&isAllowed=yhttp://dx.
org/10.
1016/j.
Ahttps://w.
net/publication/305320484_SISTEM_PEMBETUNGAN_TERPUSAT_ STRATEGI_MELESTARI.
33 Rifqatul Husna et.
Improving Brain Neuroplasticity.
Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah Quraish Shihab in his tafsir explains that the word shifa' is usually interpreted as healing or antidote, and is also used in the sense of freedom from deficiency, or the absence of obstacles in obtaining benefits.
Asbabun Nuzul of QS.
Al-Isra' verse 82 is explained by Thabathaba'i in Tafsir al-Misbah quoted by M.
Quraish Shihab, saying that this verse is related to the description of the surah about the characteristics of the Qur'an and its function as proof of the truth of the Prophet Muhammad's nubuwwah.
This verse describes how the Qur'an functions as a cure for mental illness.
In the narration of Ibn Mardawaih through the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Ibn Mas'ud reported that someone approached the Prophet and complained about his chest.
Then the Prophet said: AuLet yourself read the Qur'anAy.
Meanwhile, according to the great Sufi al-Hasan al-Bashri, as quoted by Muhammad Sayyid Thanthawi, based on the narration of Abu-asy-Syeikh: AuAllah made the Qur'an a cure for the diseases of the heart, and did not make it a cure for bodily ailmentsAy.
In this case, the repeated recitation of the Qur'an is also a practice of dhikr in the daily life of a Muslim.
The Qur'an as an antidote is one of the very good readings to be done continuously.
The Qur'an also emphasizes that peace of mind can be achieved by remembering Allah.
Making the Qur'an one of the recitations of dhikr, in addition to being a practical way to absorb the teachings of the Qur'an and get closer to Allah, can also make one's heart calm.
As found in the Qur'an Surah Ar-Ra'd verse 28:
ca acEEa a aEa a eE aA ca aEacaOIa aIIaOa aO ea aIa acIaaCaEaOa aN eIa a eE aA aAOA a aAcEEa ea aIa acIaa eECaEA Au(Thos.
who believe and their hearts are calmed by the remembrance of Allah.
Remember, it is only in the remembrance of Allah that the heart is at rest.
Ay The Munasabah of Surah Ar-Ra'd verse 28 emphasizes that those who receive guidance from Allah and follow His guidance will feel peace in their This tranquillity comes after a period of doubt and is due to dhikrullah .
emembrance of Alla.
and the beauty of the Qur'anic verses.
Thus, with the remembrance of Allah, the heart will be at peace.
Ahmad Musthafa Al-Maraghi explained the meaning of dhikr in surah arRa'd verse 28, he interpreted that dhikr is remembering Allah with the heart, tongue and limbs to glorify and glorify Allah so that with this for people who believe, their hearts will tremble and their faith will increase, then they will not stop remembering Him.
17 For example, if we love someone, we will always 15 Quraish Shihab.
AuTafsir Al Mishbah Pesan.
Kesan Dan Keserasian Al-QurAoan (Surah Ibrahim.
Al- Hijr.
An-Nahl Dan Surah Al-Isr.
,Ay Tafsir Al-Misbah Vol.
7, 2002, https://shorturl.
at/lny37.
16 Quraish Shihab.
AuTafsir Al-Misbah: Pesan.
Kesan Dan Keserasian Al-QurAoan Volume-06,Ay Jakarta :
Lentera Hati, 2002.
17 Izzan Reza et al.
AuThe Concept of Dhikr in the QurAoan and Its Relation to Mental Health: An Analysis of Surah Ar-RaAod Verse 28,Ay Indonesian Journal of Behavioral Studies 1, no.
: 25Ae32, https://journal.
id/index.
php/mashadiruna.
Mohammad MasAoud Ubaidillah.
AuRationalization of the Nusantara Tafsir and the Middle East: A Comparative Study of the Interpretation of Al-FAtihah by KH.
Zaini MunAoim and Ahmad MustafA Al-MarAgh,Ay Mushaf:
Jurnal Tafsir Berwawasan Keindonesiaan 4, no.
: 136Ae161.
34 Rifqatul Husna et.
Improving Brain Neuroplasticity.
Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah mention his name and always remember him.
Therefore, if a person has a love for Allah in his heart, then his heart will always be filled with dhikrullah because dhikr has become food for his soul.
18 However, if a believer has neglected the remembrance of Allah .
then Satan will control him so that his life will continue to be in darkness because Satan, jinn and humans will continue to plunge and tempt him to commit sins and sins that make his life uneasy.
In Tafsir Al-Misbah.
Quraish Shihab explains that the word .
A ) a aEAala is used to ask for the attention of the speech partner regarding what will be said.
This verse is about dhikrullah, which gives birth to peace of mind.
While the word .
A ) ea aIa acIAtathmainnu Thabathaba'i explains the previous word, which is faith.
The explanation of Sayyid Thantawi in his book Tafsir al-Wasith reveals that the selection of the verb form .
A ) ea aIa acIAtathmainnu in the form of mudhari' .
he verb is or will happe.
gives the impression that the tranquillity is sustainable and 19 Therefore, dhikr is highly recommended so that it has a great impact on the peace of the heart.
Dhikr is not only verbal but the heart is also present to remember Allah.
Dhikr is only done verbally without awareness of the heart, it will not be perfect unless the dhikr is accompanied by fear of Him, supervision of Him, and full awareness of His commands and prohibitions.
Based on the interpretation that has been presented above, it shows that dhikrullah or, remembering Allah, whether done verbally, in the heart or by deed, can foster a sense of mental tranquillity in the hearts of believers so that doing dhikr can have a positive effect on mental health.
Brain Neuroplasticity Religious practices such as prayer and meditation can affect the brain, as has been studied by neurotheologist Dr.
Andrew Newberg.
His research indicates that these activities can optimize activity in the parietal lobe and frontal lobe.
The parts of the brain that have important functions in various mental, sensory, and motor activities are the parietal lobe and frontal lobe.
This can strengthen neural connections and improve the brain's neuroplasticity in concentration, emotional control, and cognitive power, all of which are beneficial for mental health.
Neuroplasticity is the ability of nerve cells .
to change, remodel, and reorganize, this aims to achieve better adaptability to new stimulation.
Neuroplasticity is a scientific term that refers to the brain's ability to change and The term neuroplasticity is derived from two words: AuNeuro,Ay which refers to the nervous system, including the brain and all neural networks in the body, while AuPlasticityAy refers to the ability to change, adapt, or reshape.
Thus, neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change in structure, function, and 18 Ainur Rofiq and Sutopo.
AuTafakur Dan Dzikir Dalam Mencapai Ketenangan Hidup,Ay Conseils :
Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam 3, no.
: 1Ae12.
19 Muhammad Sayyid Thantawi.
Au13.
Tafsir Al-Wasith Thantawi - Mulai Ar-RaAod.
Pdf,Ay 1987.
20 Andrew B.
Newberg.
AuThe Neuroscientific Study of Spiritual Practices,Ay Frontiers in Psychology 5.
MAR .
: 1Ae6.
Pedro Mateos-Aparicio and Antonio Rodryguez-Moreno.
AuThe Impact of Studying Brain Plasticity,Ay Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience 13, no.
February .
: 1Ae5.
35 Rifqatul Husna et.
Improving Brain Neuroplasticity.
Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah neuronal connectivity in response to changes in the environment, experience, or 22 Neurons in the brain are distributed throughout, but the process of neuroplasticity occurs in specific brain networks that are active depending on the function or experience involving that part of the brain.
Image of neuroplasticity The image shows the concept of neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to change and adapt its synaptic connections based on experience and learning.
The illustration on the left side shows the initial condition of the brain before neuroplasticity occurs.
The connections between neurons look simpler with synaptic pathways that have been formed but have not undergone many The illustration on the right side shows the brain after changes due to The synaptic connections are more complex and branching, reflecting the formation of new connections or the strengthening of existing This concept explains that the human brain has adaptive properties, allowing a person to learn new skills, recover function after injury, or adapt to evolving experiences.
24 Thus, individuals who have good neuroplasticity will automatically be able to control their mental state.
The connection between neuroplasticity and spiritual aspects, namely dhikr, is very relevant.
Indirectly repeating the readings in dhikr consistently will create a brain reflex that has been formed with several thayyibah sentences so that it can provide peace to the soul.
In addition, the connection between neuroplasticity and spiritual aspects can be found in the Qur'an surah Al-Baqarah verse 269, which connects the neuroplasticity of the brain with wisdom.
in the verse, it is emphasized that Allah bestows wisdom to those whom He wills.
As Allah says in the Qur'an:
Pristina Nur Andayani.
AuNeuroplastisitas: Kekuatan Otak Untuk Berubah Dan Beradaptasi Pristina Nur Andayani,Ay Literasi Note 1, no.
: 1Ae9.
23 Joyce Shaffer.
AuNeuroplasticity and Clinical Practice: Building Brain Power for Health,Ay Frontiers in Psychology 7, no.
JUL .
: 1Ae12.
24 Catherine Agonis.
AuNeuroplasticity Knowledge and Perceived Self-Efficacy in Western Adults: A Qualitative Examination,Ay Graduate Student Journal of Psychology 21 .
36 Rifqatul Husna et.
Improving Brain Neuroplasticity.
Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah a a eAOae aOa eE a eE aIa aI eIaaOaa a aO aI eIaaOaA a AOaa aO aIaOa ac acE aua acEaOEaOa e a eEa U aOaa aO Uea aEA a a eE a eE aIaCaaeaOA AuHe bestows al-Hikmah on whom He wills.
Whoever is bestowed with al-Hikmah, then he has indeed been bestowed with much grace.
And only Ulul Albab can take Ay The Munasabah of the previous verse of Surah Al-Baqarah verse 269 describes two paths, the way of Allah and the way of the devil.
The way of Allah brings peace and improvement in life, making it a wise choice.
However, not everyone chooses this path.
only those endowed with wisdom can understand and make the right decisions in life.
Hikmah comes from the word .
A ) aE aaIAhakama, which means to hinder and refers to the ability to direct towards the good and keep away from the bad.
Those who have a pure mind or a clean heart (Ulul al-Alba.
will be blessed with wisdom so that they can choose the best and avoid the bad.
Meanwhile, those who reject Allah's guidance will experience confusion in thinking and only understand the surface aspects of a problem.
True understanding can only be achieved by those who have the essence of reason.
This is achieved through clear thinking and following Allah's guidance.
In Islam, neuroplasticity and al-hikmah have the same meanings of change, adaptation, and improvement of the quality of life.
Neuroplasticity's transformation process improves brain patterns, while wisdom improves mindset and behaviour towards goodness.
27 Neuroplasticity of the brain plays an important role in the process of improving health for the mentally ill because experience and deep learning can form new neural pathway connections in the brain, this ability is similar to the concept of wisdom which can improve an individual's ability to apply wisdom gained through deep understanding, experience, and reflection.
Power of Concentration Based on a scientific point of view, dhikr is more than just worship, dhikr also has a significant impact on physical and mental health.
On the concentration side, dhikr that is done regularly can train the brain to focus, this process is similar to mindfulness meditation activities, where this activity is carried out to focus the mind on an object or a certain dhikr practice so that the brain can strengthen the ability to focus and reduce mental distractions.
At times when a person faces unpleasant feelings such as disappointment and anger, dhikr becomes one of the effective ways to reduce amygdala activity in the brain .
he part of the brain that regulates stress and emotion.
, so that a person becomes better able to cope with 25 Quraish Shihab.
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37 Rifqatul Husna et.
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Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
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June 2025 https://ejournal.
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In a state of dhikr, a person's condition is very relaxed, calm, and solemn which can produce more electrical signals in the form of brain waves.
Brain waves have two types of waves that are related to focus and calmness: alpha waves and theta waves.
Alpha waves will work when individuals are relaxed but still aware, for example, dhikr or meditation.
These waves can optimize creativity, focus, and memory and can reduce stress.
While theta waves work when individuals are in a very relaxed state, in deep meditation, or when almost asleep.
These waves can improve long-term memory, increase intuition and reduce anxiety which greatly impacts a person's mental health.
Dhikr, mental health, and neuroplasticity have a close relationship through various mechanisms, such as increasing a sense of tranquillity and serenity, overcoming stress and anxiety, increasing focus and concentration, helping to overcome depression, and improving human physiological health.
Hence, the practice of dhikr serves not only as a spiritual act of worship but also as an effective therapeutic tool to improve the psychological well-being of individuals.
29 In a psychological context, dhikr helps individuals to soak in the moment, reducing the negative thoughts that often plague their minds and emotions, thus increasing their ability to deal with challenging situations.
30 Meditation is often associated with reduced levels of stress hormones such as cortisol.
Chronic stress can impair neuroplasticity by shrinking areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, that are important for learning and memory.
By calming the mind, dhikr can help maintain brain health and improve neuroplasticity.
Meditation can also strengthen connections between neurons, as repetitive activities such as dhikr can strengthen synaptic connections in the brain.
This repetitive process involves focused attention, which helps train brain circuits associated with concentration and calmness.
By doing dhikr frequently, the connections between neurons can become more efficient.
32 In addition, dhikr can also increase the thickness of the brain cortex, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, increase awareness and focus, increase positive emotions, and cause long-term changes in brain structure.
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Madinah : Jurnal Studi Islam ISSN : 1978-659X (Printe.
,: 2620-9497 (Onlin.
Volume 12.
Number 1.
June 2025 https://ejournal.
iai-tabah.
id/index.
php/madinah CONCLUSION Dhikr as an Islamic meditation practice has a significant impact on the neuroplasticity of the brain, making us mentally healthier.
Dhikr not only helps individuals achieve peace of mind through the remembrance of Allah but also has profound spiritual implications by bringing humans closer to their Creator.
Based on an analysis of Qur'anic verses and the views of scholars, dhikr affects mental health through peace of mind, emotion regulation and stress reduction.
The new findings outlined in this review explain that the practice of dhikr can also affect the neuroplasticity of the brain, forming new neural pathways associated with concentration, emotional control, and improved cognitive Mental health and brain function can be supported by a therapeutic approach through the practice of dhikr.
Thus, dhikr not only serves as a means of bringing individuals closer to Allah but also helps maintain mental health and enhances the brain's capacity to learn and adapt.
The combination of spiritual practices and scientific findings makes dhikr an effective way to promote a good quality of life, including peace of mind and mental health.
The theoretical implications of this study suggest that spiritual teachings in Islam have scientific relevance in supporting psychological and neurological well-being.
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