When Should I Seek Help From a Religious Scholar Vs a Therapist?
As Muslims, our religion plays an integral part in our lives and we seek solutions to all our problems from an Islamic perspective. Mental health is no exception.
Mental health problems can affect us in every aspect of our lives, determining our level of functioning socially, professionally, academically, and even religiously or spiritually. In terms of religion and spirituality, even a devout, observant Muslim may feel paralyzed and stuck when attempting to perform prayers (especially on time and with presence of mind), reciting Qur’an and du’aa/supplications, or abiding by Islamic guidelines in other parts of their lives. As such, Muslims are not immune from feelings of hopelessness, guilt, mental and physical fatigue, and worthlessness, which can affect us, regardless of who we are.
Is mental health addressed in Islam and are there solutions directly available from our religious texts? God acknowledges in the Qur’an that we are anxious beings [1] and provides solutions, such as prayer (being mindful of Him), remembering the Day of Judgment, giving charity, etc. [2] God also states that with His remembrance comes rest for the hearts. [3] We are also reminded that the difficulties we may face in life are all tests from God, including fear, hunger, and loss of wealth and possession, and that those who are patient will receive their rewards. [4] Moreover, we are encouraged to seek help through patience and prayer multiple times.[5]
Reflecting on Qur’anic verses and Islamic traditions will give us appropriate ways to cope with many of life’s struggles. However, at times it may not be enough to pray or fast, or to simply exercise patience, despite how much belief we have in God’s mercy and power. Just as we may suffer from paralyzing physical illnesses, mental illnesses too can be just as debilitating if not treated properly. Seeking comfort in God’s words and adopting measures that bring us closer to Him is beneficial and encouraged in all cases—multiple studies have shown the effectiveness of prayer and spiritual coping strategies on our mental health. However, when does it become more appropriate to seek professional mental health treatment?
It may be confusing at times to determine when we should seek help from a religious scholar vs a therapist, especially if our mental health problems are affecting not only our behavior, but also the fulfillment of our religious obligations and practices. For example, if one is depressed and does not feel that they have the energy or motivation to pray or they are too anxious to visit the mosque and gather with others from their community, then they may attribute those symptoms to a deficiency in religious faith as opposed to larger problems, like clinical depression and anxiety.
Addressing this issue requires a proper understanding of both the individual seeking help as well as the religious scholar who might be consulted. Many times, religious scholars have the awareness to know that a person’s problems may be outside their scope or professional competency level, which leads them to refer those in emotional distress to a mental health professional. The importance of this cannot be overstated because certain mental health conditions cannot be treated or properly remediated without professional intervention. These issues are beyond the scope of a religious scholar’s professional skill set, and more importantly, it is not a violation of religious rules if a person seeks mental health treatment.
As for the individuals who are suffering from these issues, one question to ask is the following: “Are my issues restricted solely to performing my religious duties and achieving spiritually at a certain desired level or do they extend to other parts of my life (professionally, academically, socially, etc.)? If the answer is the former then seeking a religious scholar’s assistance may be appropriate, while the latter will certainly require more focused and professional mental health treatment.
It is important to note that the issues may be overlapping as well, and not always so clear-cut. In such cases, it is not discouraged to seek help from both religious and mental health authorities. The main problem is if one has a mental health problem and only seeks a religious solution, which would be denying themselves of the help they need. Answering questions about the parts of their lives that are affected by their problems will be a good start to getting the necessary and appropriate help. Consulting with a religious scholar and therapist and asking them clearly about what help their services can provide will also be an effective way to determine which direction to choose.
Finally, coping with mental health problems is best achieved by tackling problems using multiple approaches, such as reframing our thoughts, understanding and processing our feelings, and changing our behaviors. Adding spiritual coping skills, such as prayer and mindfulness, remembrance of God and the Day of Judgment, connecting with stories of hardship from the Qur’an and Islamic history, as well as reciting dua and speaking with Him directly, can all greatly improve our mental wellbeing. It is important to remember during these moments that we are not alone, and that in seeking help, even if it is to have someone just listen, we will likely find the means by which our issues can be resolved.
[1] Qur’an 70:19-21
[2] Qur’an 70:22-35
[3] Qur’an 13:28
[4] Qur’an 2:155
[5] Qur’an 2:153
