Young Columnist Program
Tears are one of the inevitable aspects of human existence. When a person engages in the behavior known as crying, tears are produced. Some people cry when chopping onions, while others cry when bereaved or when achieving success. Occasionally, we also randomly cry. It can be triggered by a variety of feelings. But why do tears exist?
The production of tears in the human body is facilitated by the lacrimal gland, which is situated on the surface of the eye. This fluid consists of salt and water, serving to maintain the lubrication and health of the surface of your eye. Oil and mucus are produced by the meibomian glands, which are oil glands located in the eye. It can be found at the outer edge of your eyelid, where your eyelashes are situated. Both of these components are essential for tears to function properly. As you blink, these substances will accumulate and disperse across the surface of the cornea of the eye. It then travels into the tear ducts, small holes in the inner corners of the eyelids, and down through the human nose, where it either evaporates or is reabsorbed.
There are three types of tears, which are basal tears, irritant tears and emotional tears. Each tear has a different kind of job. First, basal tears are usually found on the ocular surface of the eye where they maintain nutrients and moisture throughout the day. As well as provide protection against eye dryness and safeguard the cornea from harm. Blinking causes the distribution of tears to be uniform over the eye’s surface. Furthermore, basal tears can enhance your visual acuity and concentration. It also attempts to remove dirt and germs so that your eyes remain healthy and infection-free. Even if you’re unaware of it, your eyes are perpetually producing basal tears.
Second, reflex tears or irritant tears are the result of irritation of the eye by foreign particles or the presence of irritants around the eyes, such as vapors from onion slices, any form of perfume, tear gas, or pepper spray. These tears can also be triggered by exposure to glaring light, heat, or pepper on the tongue or mouth. Additionally, they are linked to vomiting, sneezing, and yawning. Reflex tears create more tears than basal tears. The purpose of both basal and irritant tears is to protect the eye.
Lastly, the act of shedding emotional tears is commonly known as crying or weeping. These tears are linked to a wide range of emotional states and are frequently triggered by intense emotional states such as distress, anger, anxiety, depression, or physical discomfort. However, crying is not solely limited to negative emotions, as individuals may also experience tears of joy in response to humorous situations and extreme laughter. These tears can also communicate a person’s emotions to others nonverbally.
However, excessive weeping is detrimental to human health as well. Excessive crying, also known as pathological crying, can have both emotional and physical consequences for an individual. Emotionally, continuous crying may reflect the presence of underlying mental health conditions including sadness, anxiety, or grief. It can result in emotions of powerlessness, seclusion, and exasperation. Excessive crying can put a burden on personal relationships as others find it difficult to comprehend and provide support to the individual going through intense emotional distress. If left unaddressed, these emotional consequences can lead to a detrimental cycle of feedback, perhaps worsening the underlying problems and making it difficult for the individual to manage their daily life.
From a physical standpoint, an abundance of crying can lead to many symptoms and health issues. It can result in headaches, exhaustion, and disturbed sleep cycles, which can have a negative impact on one’s general state of health. The act of crying itself can elicit bodily manifestations such as ocular redness, swelling, and nasal congestion. Chronic emotional distress and its corresponding physiological reactions may also affect the immune system, rendering individuals more vulnerable to infections. To effectively address the underlying reasons for excessive crying, it is essential to provide emotional support, therapy, or medical intervention. This is necessary in order to reduce both the emotional and physical effects and enhance the overall quality of life.
Now, let’s take a look at the existence of tears from the point of view of Islam. Weeping and crying out to Allah, the Almighty is considered the highest form of worship in Islam. This is because pouring tears psychologically acknowledges the intimate proximity to God, therefore bringing a person closer to Him. In Quran, Allah states that, “And they fall down on their faces weeping” [17:109].
This is an eloquent depiction of crying. It is the duty of all seekers of knowledge to reach this level of understanding so that they feel awe and regret when listening to the Qur’an, remembering the sacrifice of the prophet Muhammad SAW and the greatness of Allah SWT. Therefore, use the blessing of crying that God has given you and be a servant who submits and fears and obeys Him.
This article is written by Yusrina Natasha Razali, a 3rd Year student, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia(USIM).
References:
Levine, H. (2023, October 5). What are tears made of? AARP. https://www.aarp.
2. Asghar Ridwani, A. (2016, December 15). Crying from the Viewpoint of the Holy Qur’an and Traditions. Al-Islam.org. https://www.al-
3. Khan, S. (2023, July 28). Can crying too much make you sick? eMediHealth. https://