Will I be Accountable if I Practice Counselling and Psychology According to the Western Ways? – Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
My question is related to halal jobs. I am a student of psychology and am looking forward to being a counselor. However, what we study and how we practice and treat the clients is solely based on the works of the West. Here, I am very much aware of the term Islamic psychology and wholeheartedly believe that the ruh should be taken into consideration during treatment, something which the West doesn’t believe. The practices of Islamic psychology also work on getting the client closer to the Creator, which is an obligation upon every human being.
So, will I be sinful if I continue to follow and treat my clients according to the Western ways, will I be held accountable for it? Should I completely abandon Western practices?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
Counseling is an extremely important profession. Scholars say that when one studies, one should also study with rooting understanding in Islamic principles reading the works of Pro. Malik Badri, doing well grounded courses, like the nine-month part time Online Diploma in Islamic Psychology, ( see link below), consulting practicing Muslim counselors and scholars along with the Western theories, and then should work open-mindedly as a culturally sensitive counselor and be able to support others, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. This way, it can open up doors to guidance to Islam too.
Beneficial Knowledge
Pray to Allah Most High for beneficial knowledge. This way, Allah will guide and direct you in your work and counseling, Insha Allah.
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace would say:
اللهم انفعني بما علمتني، وعلمني ما ينفعني، وزدني علما،
Allahumman fa’ni bima ‘allamtani wa ‘allimni ma yanfa’uni wa zidni ‘ilma
Translation: O Allah! Benefit me with that which You have taught me, and teach me that which will benefit me and increase me in knowledge. [Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related
Articles
Podcast
I would like you to go through this 2-hour long podcast. It will be highly beneficial
and guide you through.
- Being Balanced – Emotional and Mental Health – Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat (seekersguidance.org) (podcast)
Video
- Shaykh Dr Asim Yusuf Approaches to Depression and Anxiety in Classical Islam – YouTube
- (1267) Shaykh Dr. Asim Yusuf – Islamic Cognitive Therapy – YouTube
- Shaykh Faraz Rabbani on Seeking Beneficial Knowledge –
- (1261) International Association of Islamic Psychology – YouTube
Courses
ONLINE DIPLOMA IN ISLAMIC PSYCHOLOGY | Cambridge Muslim College
Telegram Channel
A channel to share books (Pdfs) and relevant articles and papers (videos) on psychology, counseling, and mental health – Islamic and conventional.
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org)?
I pray this helps with your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied within UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan and Turkey.
He started his early education in UK. He went onto complete hifz of Qur’an in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in UK where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then travelled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in UK with his wife. His personal interest is love of books and gardening.
