Baby Blues from a Quranic Perspective
Reflections on Maternal Mental Health through the Story of Maryam
Keywords:
Baby Blues, The Story of Maryam in the Qur'an, Postpartum Maternal Mental Health
Abstract
The phenomenon of baby blues is a psychological condition commonly experienced by mothers after childbirth, characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability, and emotional exhaustion. This article aims to examine the baby blues phenomenon from the perspective of the Qur'an by analyzing the story of Maryam in Surah Maryam, verses 16–26. The study employs a thematic interpretation (tafsir maudhū'ī) combined with a religious-psychological approach to explore the meaning and psychological relevance of Maryam's story in relation to the mental health conditions of contemporary mothers. The findings indicate that Maryam experienced severe psychological pressure during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as reflected in her verbal and emotional expressions. The Qur'an, through this narrative, conveys significant messages about empathy, spiritual support, and the importance of social assistance for women undergoing psychological distress after giving birth. This study contributes to the discourse on Islamic psychology by proposing a Qur'anic-based reflective framework that integrates spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions in addressing maternal mental health.
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References
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Parwati, NWM, & Gayatri, NLP (2024). The Relationship between Postpartum Blues and Quality of Life in Postpartum Mothers in Denpasar. 15(2).
Rachel Buhagiar & Elena Mamo. (2023). Postpartum depression and the role and position of cognitive behavioral therapy. Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Disorders.
Rachel Vanderkruik, Lauren A. Kobylski, Madison M. Dunk, Miranda H. Arakelian, Margaret L. Gaw, Hannah Dineen, Margaux Kanamori, Marlene P. Freeman, & Lee S. Cohen. (2024). The lived experiences of individuals with postpartum psychosis: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 348, 367–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.12.069
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Ritaewati, NA (2020). Social Ethics in the Qur'an Contained in Surah Maryam. Insight Journal: Journal of Communication, Psychology and Counseling, 1, 1–11.
Rothman, A., & Coyle, A. (2018). Toward a Framework for Islamic Psychology and Psychotherapy: An Islamic Model of the Soul. Journal of Religion and Health, 57(5), 1731–1744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0651-x
Samria, S., & Indah Haerunnisa, IH (2021). The Relationship Between Husband's Support and the Incidence of Postpartum Blues in Urban Areas. J-KESMAS: Journal of Public Health, 7(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.35329/jkesmas.v7i1.1952
Saundra M. Albers, et.al. (2023). Postpartum psychosis during delivery hospitalizations and postpartum readmissions, 2016–2019. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, 5(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100905
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Syed Abdul Rahman, SMH, Mohammed Dawam, R., & Mohd Azhar, MH (2020). Understanding the Concept of al-Ibtila' in Islam Through the Concept, Classification, Form, Purpose and Benefits. Online Journal of Research in Islamic Studies, 7(1), 31–45. https://doi.org/10.22452/ris.vol7no1.3
Syifa, MI, & Huda, TN (2024). Islamic Psychotherapy: Insights from Diverse Psychological Perspectives. Taujihat: Journal of Islamic Counseling Guidance, 5(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.21093/tj.v5i2.9910
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Temitope O. Okunola, Jacob Olumuyiwa Awoleke, Babatunde O, & Babatunde R, Sunday.O, Abidemi O. Olubiyi. (2021). POSTNATAL BLUES: A MIRAGE OR REALITY. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100237
Verda, Nanda Kusuma & Anisa Nuraidha. (2022). Coping Strategies In Post-Party Mothers To Anticipate The Occurrence Of Baby Blues. Jurnal Sudut Pandang, 2(12).
Yolanda, H., Putri, RH, & Palupi, R. (2024). Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Baby Blues Syndrome in Postpartum Mothers. Journal of Nursing Education & Practice, 4(1), 31–42.
Yousriatin, F., Anggreini, YD, & Kirana, W. (2022). The Relationship Between Spiritual Self-Care and Anxiety in Third Trimester Pregnant Women. Khatulistiwa Nursing Journal, 4. https://doi.org/10.53399/knj.v4i0.178
Afita Rokhimawaty, et al. (2025). Quality of Life of Postpartum Mothers: Concepts, Factors, and Evaluation in Midwifery. Kaizen Media Publishing.
Alessandra Biaggi, & Katie Hazelgrove, Freddie Waites, et.al. (2024). Predictors of mother-infant interaction quality in women at risk of postpartum psychosis: The role of emotion recognition. Journal of Affective Disorders, 367, 562–572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.180
Alexandra Landman & Sarah Tebeka. (2024). Le blues du post-partum, est-ce un problem? Postpartum blues, is it an issue? La Presse Médicale Formation, 5(5), 347–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpmfor.2024.06.001
Andini Via Janahti Putri. (2023). Dynamics of postpartum depression in postpartum mothers. Raden Mas Said State Islamic University, Surakarta.
Andréa Gerlone, et.al. (2022). Connaître les facteurs associés au baby blues pour mieux le prendre en chargeIdentifying the factors associated with the baby blues to better manage them. Sages-Femmes, 21, 39–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sagf.2021.11.010
Arroisi, J., Arif, S., & Rahmadi, MA (2024). Ibn Sina's Biopsychosocial Balance: Insights for Mental Health Preservation and Islamic Psychology. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 14(2), 125–139. https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.142.08
Arsal, FR, & Marlina, L. (2023). The Legitimacy of the Qur'an on the Concept of Mental Health. MAGHZA: Journal of Qur'anic Science and Interpretation, 8(2), 297–315. https://doi.org/10.24090/maghza.v8i2.9632
Bohari, Nurul Hidayah., Suryani As'ad, et.al. (2020). The effect of acupressure therapy on mothers with postpartum blues. Enfermería Clínica, 30, 612–614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.07.173
Chechko, N., Losse, E., Frodl, T., & Nehls, S. (2024). Baby blues, premenstrual syndrome and postpartum affective disorders: Intersection of risk factors and reciprocal influences. BJPsych Open, 10(1), e3. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2023.612
Deniati, EN, Annisaa, & Agnesfadia, S. (2022). The Effect of Sports on the Phenomenon of Baby Blues Syndrome (Postpartum Blues) in Postpartum Mothers: 5th International Conference on Sport Science and Health (ICSSH 2021), Malang, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.2991/ahsr.k.220203.010
Fajrussalam, H., Hasanah, IA, Asri, NOA, & Anaureta, NA (2022). The Role of Islam in College Students' Mental Health. Al-Fikri: Journal of Islamic Education Studies and Research, 5(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.30659/jspi.v5i1.21041
Hafidz Khusnadin, M., & Shihab, M.F. (2025). Al-Ghazali's Concept of Tazkiyatun Nafs as a Method in Moral Education. Oasis: Scientific Journal of Islamic Studies, 9(2), 151. https://doi.org/10.24235/oasis.v9i2.19732
Indriani, I. (2022). Handling Baby Blues Syndrome in the Qur'an. FiTUA: Journal of Islamic Studies, 3(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.47625/fitua.v3i1.340
Kurniati, Yessy. et al. (2020). Postpartum blues syndrome: Serum zinc and psychosocial factors. Enfermería Clínica, 30, 18–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.07.019
Michael H. Connors, Jessica Gibbs, & Matthew M. Large, & Peter W. Halligan. (2024). Delusions in postpartum psychosis: Implications for cognitive theories. Cortex, 177, 194–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2024.04.018
Mujahid, M.Z. (2024, January 6). "Ta'wilat Ahl al-Sunnah" Book of Tafsir by Imam Al-Maturidi. Tafsir Al Quran | Tafsir Reference in Indonesia. https://tafsiralquran.id/tawilat-ahl-al-sunnah-kitab-tafsir-karya-imam-al-maturidi/
Nabila, P. (2022). Overcoming the Baby Blues al-Qur'an Perspective on the Story of Maryam. 8(2).
Nanda Nurlina & Bashori Bashori. (2025). The Concept of "Nafs" in the Qur'an: A Semantic Analysis of the Psychological and Spiritual Dimensions in the Process of Character Formation. Semantik: Journal of Research in Educational Sciences, Language and Culture, 3(3), 200–214. https://doi.org/10.61132/semantik.v3i3.1819
Norwidya Priansiska & Hardianti Aprina. (2024). Psychology in Postpartum Mothers. NEM Publisher.
Nurmala Sinta A, et al. (2024). Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Baby Blues. Innovative: Journal of Social Science Research, 4(6), 3852–3867.
Parwati, NWM, & Gayatri, NLP (2024). The Relationship between Postpartum Blues and Quality of Life in Postpartum Mothers in Denpasar. 15(2).
Rachel Buhagiar & Elena Mamo. (2023). Postpartum depression and the role and position of cognitive behavioral therapy. Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Disorders.
Rachel Vanderkruik, Lauren A. Kobylski, Madison M. Dunk, Miranda H. Arakelian, Margaret L. Gaw, Hannah Dineen, Margaux Kanamori, Marlene P. Freeman, & Lee S. Cohen. (2024). The lived experiences of individuals with postpartum psychosis: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 348, 367–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.12.069
Razi, F. al-DM ibn 'Umar (with Robarts - University of Toronto). (1862). Mafatih al-ghayb. [Al-Qahirah] al-Matba'ah al-Misriyah al-'Amiriyah. http://archive.org/details/mafatihalghayb06raziuoft
Ritaewati, NA (2020). Social Ethics in the Qur'an Contained in Surah Maryam. Insight Journal: Journal of Communication, Psychology and Counseling, 1, 1–11.
Rothman, A., & Coyle, A. (2018). Toward a Framework for Islamic Psychology and Psychotherapy: An Islamic Model of the Soul. Journal of Religion and Health, 57(5), 1731–1744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0651-x
Samria, S., & Indah Haerunnisa, IH (2021). The Relationship Between Husband's Support and the Incidence of Postpartum Blues in Urban Areas. J-KESMAS: Journal of Public Health, 7(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.35329/jkesmas.v7i1.1952
Saundra M. Albers, et.al. (2023). Postpartum psychosis during delivery hospitalizations and postpartum readmissions, 2016–2019. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, 5(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100905
Susanto, AS, & Nurrohim, A. (2025). Mental Resilience in the Story of Maryam in QS. 19: 23-26. Proceedings of ISETH (International Summit on Science, Technology, and Humanity). https://doi.org/10.23917/iseth.5478
Syed Abdul Rahman, SMH, Mohammed Dawam, R., & Mohd Azhar, MH (2020). Understanding the Concept of al-Ibtila' in Islam Through the Concept, Classification, Form, Purpose and Benefits. Online Journal of Research in Islamic Studies, 7(1), 31–45. https://doi.org/10.22452/ris.vol7no1.3
Syifa, MI, & Huda, TN (2024). Islamic Psychotherapy: Insights from Diverse Psychological Perspectives. Taujihat: Journal of Islamic Counseling Guidance, 5(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.21093/tj.v5i2.9910
Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surah Maryam verses 16-21. (2015, July 23). noble Qur'an. https://alquranmulia.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/tafsir-ibnu-katsir-surah-maryam-ayat-16-21/
Temitope O. Okunola, Jacob Olumuyiwa Awoleke, Babatunde O, & Babatunde R, Sunday.O, Abidemi O. Olubiyi. (2021). POSTNATAL BLUES: A MIRAGE OR REALITY. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100237
Verda, Nanda Kusuma & Anisa Nuraidha. (2022). Coping Strategies In Post-Party Mothers To Anticipate The Occurrence Of Baby Blues. Jurnal Sudut Pandang, 2(12).
Yolanda, H., Putri, RH, & Palupi, R. (2024). Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Baby Blues Syndrome in Postpartum Mothers. Journal of Nursing Education & Practice, 4(1), 31–42.
Yousriatin, F., Anggreini, YD, & Kirana, W. (2022). The Relationship Between Spiritual Self-Care and Anxiety in Third Trimester Pregnant Women. Khatulistiwa Nursing Journal, 4. https://doi.org/10.53399/knj.v4i0.178
Published
2026-03-13
How to Cite
Indriani, Irma, and Nurlaila Nurlaila. FiTUA: JURNAL STUDI ISLAM 7, no. 1 (March 13, 2026): 13-24. Accessed May 5, 2026. https://ejournal.stitbima.ac.id/index.php/fitua/article/view/1072.
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Articles
Copyright (c) 2026 Irma Indriani, Nurlaila
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
