The modern therapy room is not the sterile, value-free environment many psychologists and psychotherapists assume it to be. Despite the belief that therapy is a neutral, scientific, and technical practice, it is deeply influenced by the broader forces of politics, philosophy, economics, and culture. The language of selfhood, the ideals of happiness, and the very definition of well-being that shape therapeutic conversations are all products of the prevailing worldview outside the therapy room.
For Muslim clients, this presents a significant challenge. When therapy is conducted through the lens of secular, materialistic, or neoliberal values, it inevitably conflicts with their deeply rooted Islamic worldview. Thus, for an Islamic counsellor, it is essential to recognise that counselling cannot be divorced from the socio-political and ideological forces shaping the modern psyche. To truly support Muslim clients, an Islamic counsellor must operate from an Islamic worldview- one that offers a holistic understanding of the self, human purpose, and healing.
The Fallacy of a Value-Free Therapy Room
There is a common but misguided notion that therapy is a value-neutral, scientific endeavour. Many therapists, perhaps unintentionally, treat the therapy room as an insulated space where only the personal struggles of the client matter. However, the external world- the dominant cultural narratives, socio-political dynamics, and prevailing philosophies- seeps into every corner of that room.
The language therapists use when discussing “self-worth,” “success,” or “healing” is shaped by their own philosophical and cultural assumptions. In a neoliberal society, the concept of self-actualisation is often synonymous with personal gain, career success, or individualistic self-improvement. In contrast, Islam defines ‘self actualisation’ through spiritual submission, moral refinement, and the pursuit of Allah’s pleasure.
Thus, when Muslim clients seek counselling, they are often presented with therapeutic models that reflect the values of the society in which they live- values that may contradict or erode their faith based principles. The claim of value-neutrality in therapy is, therefore, an illusion. Every therapeutic approach carries within it a worldview, whether explicit or hidden.
The Modern Psyche: Shaped by Secular and Neoliberal Values
In Secular societies, where religion has largely been relegated to the private sphere, psychology has often stepped in to address the fundamental existential questions once answered by religious traditions. In the absence of theological frameworks, therapy has become the new confessional, offering secular answers to questions of purpose, identity, and suffering.
However, this modern psychological landscape is deeply intertwined with neoliberal materialism. The dominant ethos promotes individualism, self-optimisation, and the pursuit of happiness through consumption and self-gratification. Even mental health narratives often reflect this: depression is framed as a biochemical imbalance, and healing is reduced to symptom management rather than addressing deeper spiritual or existential struggles.
For Muslims, whose worldview is shaped by the Qur’an and Sunnah, such a reductionist framework is insufficient. The Qur’an teaches that true contentment does not arise from material gain or mere psychological ease, but from spiritual connection:
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (13:28)
Islamic psychology recognises that the human being is a composite of body, mind, and soul. Emotional and psychological struggles cannot be separated from spiritual health. However, when therapy is conducted through a purely secular lens, this dimension is ignored, leaving Muslim clients with a fragmented and incomplete approach to healing.
The Crisis of Selfhood in Modern Therapy
Modern psychology’s conceptualisation of the “self” is also shaped by materialistic and postmodern ideologies. The self is often viewed as fluid, self-defined, and autonomous. The contemporary obsession with self-esteem, self-love, and self-empowerment frequently promotes an individualistic and self-centered paradigm.
In contrast, Islam offers a different notion of selfhood- one defined by servitude to Allah. The self (nafs) in the Qur’an is not something to be idolised but something to be purified and disciplined:
“And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it with discernment between wickedness and righteousness. He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who corrupts it.” (91:7-10)
When Muslims enter a therapy room influenced by secular ideals, they may be implicitly encouraged to prioritise self-expression over self-discipline, self-indulgence over spiritual accountability. This subtle yet significant conflict highlights the need for Islamic counsellors to approach therapy with an Islamic conception of the self- one where healing is not merely about symptom management, but about restoring the soul’s harmony with its Creator.
Islamic Counselling: An Integrated Approach**
To effectively serve Muslim clients, Islamic counsellors must be anchored in an Islamic worldview. This requires more than simply offering culturally sensitive therapy; it necessitates a holistic integration of Islamic metaphysics, spiritual principles, and ethical values into the therapeutic process.
- Spiritual Meaning in Suffering
In modern therapy, suffering is often seen as something to be eliminated. However, in Islam, suffering carries deeper spiritual significance. Hardship is not a ‘disorder’ to be cured but a trial that can lead to spiritual purification and nearness to Allah:
“Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tested? But We have certainly tested those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful and He will surely make evident the liars.” (29:2-3)
Islamic counselling does not simply aim to reduce suffering- it seeks to help clients find meaning and spiritual growth through their trials.
- Fitrah-Oriented Healing
Islamic counselling is grounded in the belief in fitrah- the natural disposition towards faith and virtue. Healing in this context involves restoring balance to the fitrah by removing spiritual veils, fostering taqwa (God-consciousness), and promoting righteous actions.
- Tawakkul and Acceptance
Whereas modern secular therapy often emphasises control and self-determination, Islamic counselling reminds clients of tawakkul (reliance on Allah). It encourages surrender to Allah’s decree while still exercising personal responsibility. This balance between divine trust and personal effort offers a unique therapeutic framework that cannot be replicated by secular models.
The Responsibility of Islamic Counsellors
Muslim therapists cannot adopt secular psychological models wholesale without critical examination. They must be aware of the ideological underpinnings that influence mainstream secular therapy and assess their compatibility with Islamic principles. This requires intellectual rigor, knowledge of the Islamic tradition, and an understanding of the socio-political forces that shape the modern psyche.
Islamic counsellors should aspire to do more than simply offer emotional support; they should guide clients towards spiritual well-being, helping them cultivate qualities such as patience (sabr), gratitude (shukr), and reliance on Allah. The Prophet ﷺ emphasised the importance of spiritual care in times of distress:
“There is no affliction that befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even if it were a prick from a thorn.” (Bukhari)
This Prophetic wisdom offers a therapeutic paradigm where suffering is not meaningless but transformative- a perspective that is often missing in secular therapy.
The therapy room is not an isolated, value-free space- it is polluted by the dominant cultural, political, and philosophical forces of the age. For Muslim clients, entering this space without a robust Islamic framework risks further disconnection from their faith-based identity.
Islamic counsellors, therefore, must not be mere technicians of mental health but bearers of an Islamic worldview- one that views the human being as a spiritual, moral, and social being, whose ultimate healing lies not in self-worship but in servitude to Allah. Only by anchoring therapy in this worldview can Muslim clients find true healing- both in this life and the next.
