Personal Reflection on The Dilemma of Muslim Psychologists by Sahara Iman “You would tread the same path as was trodden by those before you inch by inch and step by step so much so that if they had entered into the lizard’s hole, you would follow them in this also” These were the words the Prophet Mohammad (SAW) used to warn his companions about the wretched fate of Muslims who’d recklessly traded Islam for social norms. Similar to those who preceded them and deviated from Islam, they too would fall into a dwelling so revolting that darkness spills through its every corner, akin to a lizard’s hole. In his book, The Dilemma of Muslim Psychologists, Dr Malik Badri, an illustrious Muslim psychologist, forewarned fellow Muslim psychologists of their impending fate in lizard’s holes if they indiscriminately adapt to the ideologies of Western Psychology. When I first read the cautionary advice of Dr Badri, as a Muslim who pledged a commitment to psychology, I impulsively retaliated, “How can our field contradict Islam if our stance on religion is impartial?”. When I reached the third chapter of his book, I decidedly closed my case and confessed my imprudence. So, what was my offence? Admittedly, I recognized models of human nature that spoiled our integrity as creations of Allah SWT. Freud, the most controversial figure in psychology, programmed an entire generation to believe that unconscious sexual drives fashioned human personality. Nonetheless, I tolerated these outlandish ideas and obscured the intuition to disagree. If not for Dr Badri, who debunked the atheistic ideologies behind these theories, I would never realize that I was heading into a lizard’s hole too. His revelations hit me hard. His book hurled a series of uncomfortable questions. Altogether, too quick and forceful, these queries gave me no chance to dodge. First blow, straight into my fragile heart, “Did I believe in these un-Islamic ideas because my Imaan is weak?”. Aah! The twisting angst in my chest weakened my knees. Even before I could steady myself, the interrogation continued, “Was it convenient to be deaf and blind to the truth?”. By this time, I fell on the ground. Grass poking through every nerve on my skin, I could barely hear the allegation thrown at me, “Was I an ally of those who denied that God designed human nature?”. Sweat, icky and salty, trickled all over me. Exhausted, I said yes to them all! Affirming that my calling is a misguided path is maddening. When one reaches a breaking point, the only sane choice is to search for a breakthrough. I found mine – Islamic Psychology. Alhamdulillah, even before I discovered the dangers in modern psychology, I already took the steps towards Islamic Psychology. I just never had to unlatch the strings of Western Psychology that dishonors the centrality of Islam and Imaan in human psychology. Although there are plenty of ideas in Western Psychology that exclude God from their formulation, there are more that provide sound theories and therapies that don’t harm our Imaan or mock Islam. A Muslim psychologist must filter these ideas using the principles of Islamic Psychology or Ilm ul An-Nafs. It is a broad and coherent field of study that bases the understanding of human psychology in authentic Islamic knowledge, which is sourced from the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the works of early Muslim scholars. It sounds normal for a Muslim to fully commit to Islamic Psychology. Why not, right? Truthfully speaking, it is a choice that requires humility to admit ignorance of it, firmness to deviate from the normal mode of psychology, and courage to revive what is lost from the consciousness of modern Muslims. Reading The Dilemma of Muslim Psychologists turned into an immersive experience of what is within me. It served as a challenge to reflect on this calling to be a healer of minds and hearts. After all, the truth is uncomfortable. Gaining clarity is painful. Although, the idea it poses — which is that Islamic Psychology facilitates well-being through the basic principles of Tawheed – sustains me in spite of it all. May the Ummah find relief and tranquillity in Allah’s mercy. Aameen.
Category Archives: Book Review
Review & Reflections by Rushna Ali Khan “ Be happy, at peace, and joyful; and don’t be sad.” Don’t be Sad by Dr. ‘A’ id al-Qarni is one book which enlightens the readers about the Islamic way of dealing with the trials and tribulations of this world. Based on references from the Qur’an and Sunnah, this book also takes into consideration the philosophies of many Western and Eastern thinkers which align with the truth. The author’s writing style is clear and simple, making the reader understand the words effortlessly. The book is divided into small sections with timely verses from the Qur’an, Hadith of our beloved Prophet PBUH, poetry verses, excerpts, pauses to reflect upon, and anecdotes making the book more interesting rather than monotonous. This was the first book that came to my mind when I thought of writing a book reflection for the ISIP blog. This book has taught me the thick and thin, black and white, good and bad of this through the eye of Islam. If I start writing the reflections from this book, I can write pages and pages but let me mention the top 5 lessons from this book which have changed the perspective of my life. The author reasonably points out that we humans ignore dealing with the present, brood over the past and dream about the future. Just like we cannot return the sun to its place of rising nor the baby to its mother’s womb, similarly we cannot undo what’s already done. The trees shed their leaves welcoming the new season and so should we. Being mindful and living in the present saves us from the regrets of the past and anxieties of the future. We should plan the course of our day thinking today is all that we have. Our day should revolve around obeying Allah (SWT) and planning to part ways with this world. We should live as if today is our last day in this world. Rushing for things that haven’t yet come will only make our living worse. We will engage in constant hope for the future neglecting the blessings with which Allah (SWT) has already bestowed upon us. “The important thing to know is that tomorrow is from the world of the unseen, a bridge that we do not cross until it comes,” says Dr. Qarni. 2. Patience is most fitting – One achieves success after a journey full of hardships. Patience is the key to everything. We must put our trust in Allah (SWT) and arm ourselves with patience. Difficulties need to be faced with firm resolution and patience needs to be displayed. Once time passes by, the one who is patient will be rewarded with success. Be patient. Certainly, Allah does not let the rewards of those who do good go to waste (Quran 11:115) 3)Do not carry the weight of the globe on your shoulders- They think that every cry is against them (Quran 63:4) The author mentions that some people have a heart that is like a sponge absorbing all kinds of fallacies and misconceptions. Such a heart is troubled and shaken by hardships. We must have a brave heart and firm faith to overcome the challenges that life throws upon us. We must be more ferocious than the winds of calamity whereby we are putting our complete trust in Allah (SWT). He knew what was in their hearts. So He bestowed inner peace upon them and rewarded them with a victory near at hand….. (Quran 48:18) 4. The blessing of knowledge- Read! In the Name of your Lord, who has created all that exists (Quran 96:1) “The soul, by its very nature, longs for the acquisition of new knowledge to stimulate it and the mind.” If we crave happiness then we should seek knowledge. Knowledge is a light that leads to wisdom. Through knowledge, the path to reach our goals becomes clear, making us get rid of anxiety, depression and grief. 5. Do not grieve. There is another life to come- Quoting a verse by an Arab poet, “If the minister and his delegates rule despotically, And the judge on earth is unjust in his judgments, Then woe, followed by woe after woe Upon the judge of the Earth from the judge Who is above.” Dr Qarni realistically puts forward the ultimate truth, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon ( Verily we belong to Allah and verily to Him do we return)” Life of this world is temporary and there is another permanent life to come. The day will come when Allah will gather together the first of the creation and the last of it. There will be no grievance and injustice in that life. Surely, one should live like a traveller in this world preparing for a world hereafter. Subhanallah! These are my top 5 reflections from this book. Indeed, one cannot find true peace and happiness without putting their trust in Allah (SWT). One must follow the divine truth, and be patient. All this will make the course of our lives in this world much easier.