Assignment no 2:

Submitted By:
Abuzar 02:
Bashar 03:
Ammar 06:
Esha 024:
Malaika 040:
Submitted To:
Mam Palvasha:
Psychology and islam:
Muslim Psychology is a growing field today that helps people in a number of
areas. You can learn to live with others better, learn to cope with yourself, and
the daily activities that happen in your life. Psychology is not a simple matter
that you can do by yourself; an expert in the field is needed for it to be effective.
It is a very powerful and transformational discipline that helps people find their
purpose and helps them celebrate life, as well as be grateful of what they have.
Islam and Psychology are almost related with one another since their ultimate
goal is for people to attain personal well-being.
History of Islamic Psychology
It was during the Golden Age of Islam when Islamic scholars have took a keen
interest in the concept of psychology and its connection to mental health. It was
then at that time in which mental disorders were carried out and treated in
hospitals. Even though psychiatric hospitals were already constructed in
Baghdad in 705, as well as in Cairo in 805, it wasn’t until Bakar Muhammad
Zakaria Al-Razi, a Muslim physician, first introduced the concept of
psyhcotherpay  in 925 CE that the Islamic scholars and the entire Islamic
community started understanding mental health in a different light.  It was
Islamic scholars who started equating mental illness with physical ailments and
that the mind and body shared a tangible link. Bakar Muhammad Zakaria Al-
Razi bravely tackled the definition, misconceptions, and symptoms of mental
health.
Although psychotherapy was popularly developed by Westerners, it was
actually a part of treating mental disorders even before the Western Society had
introduced the notion. In the early 20th century, the Islamic psychotherapy was
not only making headway in Muslim countries but as well as in Western
perspectives. This led to the many advances in the study of the mind, setting up
more psychiatric hospitals, and the recognition of Islamic physicians in a wide
range of mental ailments.
Overview of Islamic Psychology
Islamic Psychology, or commonly known with Muslims as Ilm al-Nafs, is both
a medical and philosophical study of the nafs [self or psyche] from an Islamic
point of view. It was written in the scripture that the mentally ill must be cared
for, must be treated humanely, and be told good words by a custodian or the
state itself. It was also learned that mental illness is associated with physical
sickness; thus, the study of Psychology flourished in the Islamic culture.
Islamic Psychology is fascinating to learn as you learn about yourself and learn
to feel good and trust Allah at the same time, you can earn His love. As you also
learn about behavior modification, you can learn to motivate yourself to give up
bad acts, forgive those who caused you harm, control your irritation, rage and
anger, and live more happily and peacefully . The most important part is you
becoming a better person and nurturing your relationship with Allah. The
clinician may use in clinical practice both psychological interventions and
religious and spiritual exercises to aid therapy.

Islamic Psychology Today

However, today it was becoming evident that there is little to no consideration
about the use of Psychology on the variety of mental and emotional turmoil and
instability experienced by a number of Muslims. Contemporary Psychology has
been neglected and religious rituals like prayers and fasting are given focused
to achieve healing and peace. If you examine Muslims today, a number of them
are experiencing a number of psychological problems that need to be
addressed. Islam and Psychology, although these have a number of similarities,
they must still function mutually to achieve remarkable results. One must not be
chosen to be superior or effective over the other. Medication and therapy
should be done to re-balance the body which religious rituals and practices
alone might fail to achieve. Islam is offering preventive measures as it
integrates mental and physical aspects to balance human dimension, but if you
need curative procedures, making use of Psychology really helps the individual.
The problems of the mind and body must be dealt with properly. It is believed
that if the body is sick, the psych fails to reach its maximum potential and vice
versa. Achieving this balance between the mind and body will benefit many
aspects of your life especially the spiritual aspect. Here are some ways that
healing your mind and body has great effects for you:
 
1. You will become happier. As you improve your mood, you can enhance
your relationships with other people especially with your loved ones.
2. You will become more accepting with your own and other people’s flaws,
thus making you less judgmental.
3. You will become more tolerant and respectful of others even those with
varying beliefs and principles as yours.
4. You become more compassionate, sympathetic and forgiving
5. You begin to feel more peaceful and serene; difficulties will become more
manageable and controllable.
Conclusion
Empowering yourself with the knowledge of Islamic Psychology will give you
more opportunities for introspection and understanding your own emotions
which in turn will produce heart warming and satisfying relationships.
Learning Psychology in the light of Qur’an helps you improve your life in
general. Islamic Psychology must be encouraged in Islam and the work of a
therapist or counsellor must be appreciated and seen as very beneficial to the
whole Muslim society.