Religious Beliefs as a Practical Therapeutic Tool — Part 3 of 3
Religious beliefs are, in essence, a complete and safe system of life — preventive and therapeutic. They provide continuity, reduce anxiety, tension, and depression, and help a person accept illness and hardship.
Faith as a protection system.
The religious conscience reduces the space for conflict and problems and stands as a barrier against psychological disorder, addiction, and self-harm.
- Dr. Mehaidat provided a number of patients with a file containing Quranic verses and hadith related to health and illness, along with wise sayings and proverbs.
- Some photographed many of the pages. Some requested complete copies. Some reported that this material had a significant effect — approximately 90% — in improving their psychological state.
- Family members of patients also expressed relief and gratitude.
Building on what the patient already carries.
People instinctively turn to God when misfortune strikes, because the faith foundation exists — particularly belief in divine decree — and this itself provides a degree of natural psychological self-healing.
When a patient says "Alhamdulillah — this is from God," this signals an opening: the therapist can build on this to deepen the patient's engagement with divine decree, strengthening their connection with God. This helps achieve psychological balance and relief from tension, anxiety, and depression.
Reminding the patient of Quranic verses relevant to their situation lifts them toward elevated meanings beyond the illness and its difficulties. This is itself a cognitive-behavioral intervention.
Timeless human experiences — for the patient in front of you.
When we present patients with stories of faith, reliance on God, and patience, we present a set of events, thoughts, and behaviors. These interact with the patient's cognitive functions — affecting their feelings, their behavior, opening horizons of optimism, peace, and problem-solving.
Prophet Yusuf (Joseph)
Trials that lasted forty years — for both him and his father Yaqub. Yet the ending was joyful. A story of endurance, patience, and the certainty that God's plan unfolds in its own time.
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
He began life searching for God by instinct, opposing his people in their worship of idols. They sentenced him to be burned — spending four months preparing the fire — yet God's care protected him.
Prophet Musa (Moses)
Trials began in his infancy when God commanded his mother to place him in the river. When commanded to deliver his mission, he turned to God:
"My Lord, expand for me my chest and ease for me my task."Communication with the Creator.
Reframing, not denial.
Belief in divine decree is closely connected to patience. Patience involves the stabilization of the self and the management of emotions — leading to an increased capacity to bear responsibility.
The therapist can help the patient reframe the experience of illness or disability. Instead of "you are disabled," one might say: "You are in a test of faith and patience — in reality, you can live your life like others: you live with your family, you sleep safely in your home — while there are physically healthy people who cannot find food or shelter."
Nourishing the soul alongside the body.
The human being is made of body and soul. Both have needs that require satisfaction. We feel psychological comfort and peace when the spiritual needs are met — achieved through the soul's connection with its Creator.
The Prophet ﷺ would say at the time of the call to prayer: "Give us rest through it, Bilal" — meaning: let us pray to nourish our souls.
A comparative study was conducted on two groups of patients — one that listened to the Quran, and one that did not. The group that listened to the word of God showed faster improvement. Positive effects were also observed among non-Muslim patients when listening to the Quran.
Religious beliefs exist within every Muslim person regardless of the level of their faith. This creates a shared foundation for the therapeutic relationship — one that other therapeutic approaches cannot assume.