Islamic Counseling vs Western Counseling

7/28/2019 Islamic Counseling vs Western Counseling

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ISLAMIC COUNSELING VS. WESTERNCOUNSELING

NUR EZZATI NABIHAH BT MOHAMAD ALI

BDA 11029733 (5A)

Islamic counseling is holistic. It focuses on prevention on measures as well as addressing

immediate concerns and issues. It considers the whole person as an integration of mental,

physical, and emotional aspects, as well as an expression of lifestyle and social

environment. Most importantly, it looks upon spiritual development as the cornerstone for

healing and prevention of future problems. The ultimate purpose is to enable the client to take

full responsibility for his or her own choices, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors; and to embrace

the exciting opportunity for self-discovery and growth in all areas of being and life. By doing

that, a healthy and strong personality and as a believer every mankind is molded and this leads to

the overarching goal of worshipping Allah Almighty as delineated by Prophet Muhammad,

peace be upon him. The Islamic model of counseling distinguishes itself from other models of


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counseling by being derived from a divine source. Thus spiritual and moral values, as well as

human values, stand at the core of mental and emotional healing, and its subsequent behavior

modification. At the same time, the Islamic model of counseling does not shy away from

drawing on both classical and contemporary knowledge. According to the narration of Prophet

Muhammad peace be upon him: Wisdom is the lost property of the believer; so wherever he

finds it, he has the better right to it. (Al-Tirmidhi). Muslims may, therefore, benefit from

Western thought, science, and practical application wherever it accords with Islamic beliefs and

principles ( Kamal Shaawary 2011). Some basic values of western society have shaped the

present body of counseling and therefore need to be critically probed in relation to the Islamicvalue system.

Self Fulfilling Life-style vs. Righteous Benevolence. Western counseling is

comprehended to be an individual based and individual focused process. An individual is

considered to be individualistic, competitive and motivated by their self interest to maximize

profit. As the western mode of living is targeted at personal achievement and satisfaction,counseling also use these values. It thus becomes instrumental in enhancing an individuals

assertiveness, so that he or she can be more competitive and striving for personal achievement.

Counselors in the West, regardless of work setting or theoretical orientation, are linked by the

common belief that a person has both capacity and the right to choose the most satisfying

direction or activity ( Engelkes and Vandergoot 1982). Islam, in contrast, is not concerned with

the welfare of the individual only. It seeks to achieve the wider social well-being. While ensuring

the individuals freedom, it places equal stress on the principle of mutual responsibility. This

principle is two-dimensional: the individual achieves balance between thought and action


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(internal) while caring for the collective welfare of society (external). This internal consonance is

best realized through total submission to the will and pleasure of God.

The same Islamic principle is the regulating force for mutual advice and counseling. The

Prophet said the right way of life is sincere advice, the Prophet advised help your brother

whether he is the oppressor or the oppressed. This clear contrast indicates that Islamic

counseling may not be bound by ego -strengthenin g, assertiveness - promoting and growth -

gendering western therapies. Islamic counse ling, on the other hand, promote selflessness,

healthy altruism, perfection of oneself and happiness for others.

Materialistic vs. Holistic Outlook. In the western value system, the criteria of individual

success are based on the materialistic accomplishments. The pursuit of excellence, physical

fitness, attainment of high social status, and material rewards are the ultimate life goals for a

common western individual. Counseling means of achieving the same end. However, in their

quest for the maximization of human potential, some other fundamentally important aspects of

human development are ignored. Conversely, Islam encourages its adherents to seek holistic

growth in both the physical and spiritual domains. But spiritualism and materialistic activities are

not compartmental, Islam urges its followers to base pattern their activity after the concept of

worship. The creation of human beings is conceived as purposeful, which is to submit to God.

The ultimate objective is to seek the pleasure of God, for human beings experience their

fullest actualization once they align their thought and action with Gods divine will. Mental andspiritual well-being inseparable. The concepts related to pleasure, satisfaction and actualization

are also governed by the two contrasting belief systems. A materialist finds pleasure when

worldly targets are achieved. Counseling becomes instrumental in enhancing goal-oriented


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ambitions by instilling achievement-oriented behaviors. Islam introduces the concept of

salvation, which brings eternal contentment even if the individual is destitute in material terms, for

material gains are only a means of subsistence. A whole hearted effort for advancement is

encouraged by a matching commitment for spiritual purification.

Unlimited vs. Bounded Freedom. The western value of freedom has a profound impact

on personality development. The worldview of counseling theorists has a common factor in that

an individual can pursue personal objectives without any religious constraint. As religion and

morality are considered personal or private matter, an individual can choose a course of action

within the confines of this freedom. Abortion and alcoholism are just some of the symptomatic

expressions of this freedom. Changes of loyalty, lack of commitment and evasion of

responsibility are some of the commonly displayed behaviors. Such behaviors naturally have an

effect on family and community life.

Islam, on the contrary provides a freedom that is bound within the confines of the

shari ah. Limits are clearly prescribed for both private and public behavior. The consciousness

that one is being observed constantly and is accountable for every action regulates thought and

action in such a way that the distinction between private and public life becomes irrelevant.

Guilt Rationalization vs. Repentance. The western value of overcoming wrong-doing

provides a rationalization for undesired behavior in order to facilitate rehabilitation.

Unconditional positive regard and acceptance are treated as being among the core conditions for psychotherapy. Islam accords an entirely different treatment to sin and sinful conduct. The

therapy of repentance is a means of correcting and modifying behavior. Repentance is promised

to everyone who is committed to fulfilling its condition. Guilt-rationalization seems to be the


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driving value behind western counseling. Islam does not give the authority to condone sinful

conduct to any human being. However, it has a corrective institution that checks the repetition of

sinful conduct while providing an opportunity for the offender to obtain the feeling of spiritual

purification.

At the present time, there is no discipline or field of practice known as Islamic

counseling. Western empirical methods are inappropriate from an Islamic viewpoint. Islamic

counseling would be based on a set of core conditions, therapeutic strategies, counselor training

programs and use of models. The Islamic value system will provide guidelines for model

development. As the most perfect and effective model for behavior modification is the Prophets

person and personality.

REFERENCEMumtaz F. Jafari. (1992). Counseling Values and Objectives : A Comparison of Western and

Islamic Perspectives

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Islamic Counseling vs Western Counseling