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Advice for Psychotherapists: Islam is Not Just Culture

July 4, 2026

One word may seem ordinary, yet it can reflect an entire perception of man, religion, and therapy.

Is Islam reduced to being a 'culture' that must be considered? Or is it the reference from which the Muslim derives his understanding of himself, the meaning of his life, his trials, and his responsibilities?

This is not merely a linguistic debate, but an issue that touches upon the foundation upon which counseling and therapeutic models are built when the beneficiary is a Muslim.

Critique of the Term "Islamic Culture" in the Therapeutic Context

An important piece of advice for my brothers, the psychiatrists, and all professionals working in psychological therapy and counseling: the word "Islamic culture" is frequently used in discussions about Muslims in the context of psychological therapy and counseling. It is often said, "Therapy that respects Islamic culture."

In reality, this term is both inadequate and misleading because it reduces Islam to social customs, cultural preferences, or relative perspectives. Islam, however, is not merely a culture; it is a divine system of revelation that dominates a Muslim’s perception of humanity, life, purpose, meaning, responsibility, and trials.

The Centrality of Divine Revelation in Self-Understanding

Therefore, when discussing the needs of a Muslim in counseling or therapy, the matter is not merely about respecting their cultural background. Rather, the therapeutic approach must be rooted in the centrality of divine revelation in their understanding of self, their relationship with God, people, and life. Islam does not accept being a marginal element in the lives of its adherents; it is the highest reference framework that guides understanding, judgments, and behavior.

Suggestions for Scientific and Research Terminology

For this reason, I advise my brothers working in this field—whether participating in conferences or writing academic research—to use precise phrases such as:

"Islamically Grounded Counseling Support"

or

"Counseling Grounded in Islamic Worldview."

In English, these terms can be briefly explained as:

Faith-Informed Counseling Grounded in Islamic Understanding of Human Being and Life

Toward Building an Authentic Islamic Psychological Theory

Of course, while the precision of terminology is important, the greater priority is for specialists to move beyond merely replacing one phrase with another. Instead, they should work toward developing a comprehensive Islamic psychological theory rooted in divine revelation, which can then be formulated into therapeutic and counseling models that do not derive their centrality from Western philosophies.

May God grant success, and peace be upon you.