Is It Okay for Muslims to Go to Therapy?
Throughout my years as a therapist, I have heard and seen many concerns that Muslims have when seeking therapy. It is not until they try it that they understand the benefit. However, these concerns regarding therapy can cause many Muslims to be wary of or avoid therapy altogether. These barriers unfortunately prevent Muslims from seeking help, ultimately causing more harm. I hope this article provides information to address these concerns.
Is counseling halal in Islam?
Yes.
As long as there are no aspects of haram in counseling, such as treatment that is in contradiction with Islam and the Qur’an, then it is permissible.
Allah encourages us to seek knowledge and improve ourselves. Allah says, “Indeed, Allah will not change a condition of a people until they change what is in themselves” (Qur’an 13:11). Sometimes we need professional and unbiased counsel from others to help us make changes in our lives to benefit ourselves. When we take care of ourselves it also benefits our families and communities.
Is talking about people in therapy backbiting?
No.
In therapy, you would not be gossiping or backbiting with your therapist. You are not talking about another person for the sake of speaking badly about them. The purpose of therapy is to learn, grow, and improve yourself. When you talk about how you were upset or hurt by something someone did, your therapist can help you understand the situation from different perspectives, explore what about the interaction upset you and how to address the underlying issue, as well as resolve the conflict in an appropriate manner.
Can I expose my sins to a therapist?
Yes.
Therapy is confidential and your therapist is ethically not allowed to share information about you with other people, so it will not be spread.
Additionally, in the context of therapy, exposing your sins is not the same as telling others about it. The purpose of therapy is to help you learn and grow. This may include learning from previous mistakes. Therapy can actually be helpful in preventing you from falling into more sin. If you explore with your therapist what is causing you to sin, you will be able to address the issue and it can help you find halal ways to cope. Sometimes, in efforts to cover our sins, we try to bury them down and ignore them. When it is a sin that you are repeatedly falling into, this does not help you stop it.
In the book, Secrets of Divine Love, A. Helwa presents and explores the idea that falling into sins repeatedly is a result of an unmet need such as love, peace, or purpose. She frames sinning as a form of spiritual disconnect and when we are honest about it and explore what really causes us to sin, we may actually strengthen our relationship with Allah.
For example, people who turn to drugs and alcohol as a way of coping tend to do so to numb emotional pain. The underlying issue is the emotional pain and if that isn’t addressed, then the person will always find an unhealthy way to numb it even if they no longer turn to drugs or alcohol.
When a person shares that they are struggling with addiction in therapy, they are seeking help. We are then able to explore and understand what the underlying issue is, what is contributing to it, what treatment is required for the person to heal, and ultimately healing is what prevents people from falling into the same sin.
Shaytan whispers to us and tries to have us follow him instead of the right path. Shaytan exploits human weaknesses including shame, guilt, and our traumas. He uses our struggles in life to justify our sins. When we feel shameful and guilty for committing sins, he uses those feelings to make us believe that we are too far gone and Allah will not forgive us. Remember Allah says, “O my servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Quran 39:53).
If I struggle with my emotions, doesn’t that mean I have weak iman and I need to seek spiritual guidance?
No.
Allah mentions and normalizes emotions and the difficulty that comes with many times in the Qur’an. The lives of the Prophets detail many situations in which they have felt fear, sadness, grief, and emotional pain as they experienced trauma and hardship. If Allah’s most beloved creations experienced these things, then we are not exempt. Allah gave us these stories as lessons and examples to guide us through our own personal hardships.
For example, Prophet Yaqub (عليه السلام) went blind from crying because he missed his son Yusuf (عليه السلام). He was grief stricken, and at the same time his actions, maintaining hope and making sincere du’a, defined him as a man of sabr jameel (beautiful patience). Many people believe that you can’t believe in Allah and struggle with your emotions or become overwhelmed by them, but this isn’t true. For centuries Muslim scholars have discussed the role of psychology in caring for one’s well-being. In fact, the first cognitive psychologist was a 9th century Muslim scholar!
There’s no shame in seeking mental health care. Allah wants you to have tawakkul and tie your camel too. It’s important to do all that you can as Allah provides for us in the form of other people, opportunities, and resources. Therapy is a tool available to help you and can be aligned with your faith and values.
May Allah give you ease on your healing journey!
