Introduction to Islamic Counselling

COU215 Islamic Counselling

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Learning objectives
• Explain the concept of Islamic counselling

• Understand the role of counselling in Islamic history

• Contrast between Islamic and western mainstream approaches to counselling

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• Islamic counselling is a form of counselling that incorporates
spirituality into the therapeutic process.

• Islamic counselling emphasizes spiritual solutions, based on love and

fear of Allah and the duty to full our responsibilities as the servants of
Allah

• In traditional Muslim communities, counselling was given in various

forms, the most common of which were giving advice and sharing
wisdom
(Rassool, 2016)

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The aims of Islamic counselling include:

• to address a variety of underlying psychosocial and spiritual needs from a

faith-based perspective

• to change the negative behaviours of the individual for his or her own
benefit and the benefit of the community

• to instill Islamic values

• to enable the client to reflect on the relationship with the Creator

(Rassool, 2016)

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Islamic vs mainstream counselling approaches

• Discuss in groups of four or five students.

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Differences between Islamic and mainstream
counselling approaches
Mainstream counselling
Has a Judeo-Christian orientation
Has a more secular and oppositional relationship with
religion
Knowledge is derived from man-made theories,
empirical and parochial sources
Sees illnesses as caused by biopsychosocial factors
Sounds mental health can be achieved without divine
intervention
Materialistic values, has a socio-moral value structure
Limited focus on the physical world
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(Rassool, 2016)
Islamic
Islamic orientation based on Islamic values and
principles
Has an integrated perspective of religion
Knowledge is derived from divine revelation and
sunnah
Sees illnesses as caused by biopsychosocial-spiritual
factors
Sounds mental health can be achieved through
submission to god and the integration of material and
spiritual life
Islamic values and morality, recognizes spiritual and
divine will, is god conscious
Focus on the physical and spiritual world
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Differences between Islamic and mainstream
counselling approaches (Rassool, 2016)

Mainstream counselling Islamic

The purpose is to promote personal growth and self- The purpose is to promote clear purpose and meaning
understanding of life
The process is individual based and individual focused The process takes into account mutual responsibility
and social obligation
Responses to illnesses are seen as psychological Responses to illnesses are seen as spiritual reactions
reactions
Mind–body interaction Mind-body-soul interaction
Has the notion that human beings have unlimited Has the notion that human beings have unlimited
freedom freedom
Based on humanistic, cognitive behavioral and Based on humanistic, cognitive behavioral and
psychoanalytical interventions spiritual interventions
Undesired behaviors can be rationalized Undesired behaviors are addressed through therapy
of repentance
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 Readings for the week

• Rassool (2016) Chapter 2

• Rassool (2016) Chapter 15
• Keshavarzi et al (2021) Chapter 1

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