Abstract
A religious approach is one of the matters emphasized in counseling today. Many researchers find that there is a need to apply the religious element in counseling because religion is important in a client’s life. The purpose of this research is to identify aspects of the Islamic approach applied in counseling clients by counselors at Pusat Kaunseling Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Sembilan (PKMAINS). In addition, this research also analyses the Islamic approach applied in counseling at PKMAINS with reference to al-Quran and al-Sunnah. This is a qualitative research in the form of case study at PKMAINS. The main method used in this research is interview. The research instrument used is interview protocol. The respondents in this study include 9 counselors who serve in one of the counseling centers in Malaysia. This study also uses questionnaire as an additional instrument, distributed to 36 clients who receive counseling service at the center. The findings of the study show that the Islamic approach applied in counseling at PKMAINS may be categorized into three main aspects: aqidah (faith), ibadah (worship/ultimate devotion and love for God) and akhlaq (moral conduct). Findings also show that the counseling in these aspects is in line with Islamic teachings as contained in al-Quran and al-Sunnah.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdullah, Numsuk (1994). Manhaj al-Imam al-Syawkani fi al-Aqidahh. Beirut: Muassasah al-Risalah.
Al-Bagha, Mustafa Dib (1997). Nizam al-Islam fi al-Aqidahh wa al-Akhlaq wa al-Tasyri’. Lubnan: Dar al-Fikr al-Mu’asir.
Al-Banna, Hassan (1978). Al-Aqa’id. Kaherah: Dar al-Syahhab.
Al-Bayanuni, Muhammad Abu al-Fath (1984). al-‘Ibadah Dirasah Manhajiyyah Syamilah fi Daw‘i al-Kitab wa al-Sunnah. Kaherah: Dar al-Salam.
Al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid Muhammad Ibn Muhammad (1994). Majmu‘ah Rasa’il al-Imam al-Ghazali. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiah.
Al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid Muhammad Ibn Muhammad (2000). Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din. Kaherah: Dar al-Taqwa li al-Turath.
Al-Qaradawi, Yusof (1993). al-‘Ibadah fi al-Islam. Beirut: Muasssah al-Risalah.
Al-Syak‘ah, Mustafa (1996). Al-Islam bila mathahib, Kaherah: al-Dar al-Misriyyah al-Lubnaniyyah.
Al-Tirmidhi, Abu `Isa Muhammad ibn `Isa (1999). Sunan al-Tirmidhi. Kaherah: Dar al-Hadith.
Bergin, A. E. (1991). Values and religious issues in psychotheraphy and mental health. American Psychologist, 46, 394–403.
Burke, M. T., Hackney, H., Hudson, P., Miranti, J., Watts, G. A., & Epp, L. (1999). Spirituality, religion, and CACREP curriculum standards. Journal of Counseling & Development, 77(3), 251–257.
Cornish, Marilyn A., & Wade, Nathaniel G. (2010). Spirituality and religion in group counseling: A literature review with practice guidelines. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(5), 398–404.
Graham, S., Furr, S., Flowers, C., & Burke, M. (2001). Religion and spirituality in coping with stress. Counseling and Values, 46(1), 2–13.
Hall, C. R., Dixon, W. A., & Mauzey, E. D. (2004). Spirituality and religion: Implications for counselors. Journal of Counseling and Development, 82(4), 504–507.
Hamdan, Aisha (2008). Cognitive restructuring: An islamic perspective. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 3, 99–116.
Hasyimi, Abd Hamid Muhammad (1986). al-Tawjih wa al-Irsyad al-Nafsiyy. Jeddah: Dar al-Syuruq.
Hofmann, L., & Walach, H. (2011). Spirituality and religiosity in psychotherapy—a representative survey among German psychotherapist. Psychotherapy Research, 21(2), 179–192.
Jankowski, Peter J. (2002). Postmodern spirituality: Implications for promoting change. Counseling and Values, 47, 9–79.
Kathir, Ibn (2000). Tafsir al-Quran al-‘Azim. Kaherah: Muassah Qurtubah.
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (1989). Designing qualitative research. London: Sage Publication.
Martinez, J. S., Smith, T. B., & Barlow, S. H. (2007). Spiritual interventions in psychotherapy: Evaluations by highly religious clients. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(10), 943–960.
Mat Akhir, Noor Shakirah (2008). Al-Ghazali and his theory of the soul a comparative study. Penang, Malaysia: University Science Malaysia.
Mc Leod, J. (1994). Doing counselling research. London: Sage Publication.
Muhammad Abdullah, al-Khatib, & Muhammad Abdul-Halim, Hamid (1995). Nazarat fi Risalah al-Ta’alim. Kaherah: Dar al-Tiba’ah wa al-Nasyr Islamiyyah.
Mulhim, Ahmad Salim (2004). Makanah al-‘Ibadat fi Daw‘i al-Quran wa al-Sunnah. Urdun: Dar al-Nafa’is.
Musa, Muhammad Ali (1984). Al-Islam Din al-Insaniyyah. Beirut: Alam al-Kutub.
Sabiq, al-Sayyid (1985). al-‘Aqa’id al-Islamiyyah, Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-‘Arabi.
Schulte, Daniel L. (2002). Religious and spiritual issues in counseling psychology training. The Counseling Psychologist, 30(1), 118–134.
Shafranske, Edward P., & Malony, H. Newton (1996). Religion and the clinical practice of psychology: A case for inclusion (pp. 561–586). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.
Smith, Daniel J. (2006). Rehabilitation counselor willingness to integrate spirituality into client counseling sessions. Journal of Rehabilitation, 72(3), 4–11.
Stanley, M. A., Bush, A. L., Camp, M. E., Jameson, J. P., Philipss, L. L., Barber, C. R., et al. (2011). Older adults’ preferences for religion/spirituality in treatment for anxiety and depression. Aging and Mental Health, 15(3), 334–343.
Turnbow, Roland C. (2008). Spiritual and religious intervention: Psychotherapist and client perspective, Dissertation, School of human services, Capella University, Minnesota, United States.
Yong, J., Kim, J., Park, J., Seo, I., & Swinton, J. (2011). Effects of a spirituality training program on the spiritual and psychosocial well-being of hospital middle manager nurses in Korea. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 42(6), 280–288.
Young, J. Scott, Wiggins-Frame, M., & Cashwell, Craig S. (2007). Spirituality and counselor competence: A national survey of American counseling association members. Journal of Counseling & Development, 85, 47–52.
Zahran, Hamid ‘Abd Salam (1980). al-Tawjih wa al-Irsyad al-Nafsiyy, Kaherah : ‘Alam al-Kutub.
Zaqzuq, Mahmud Hamdi (2000). Mawsu’ah al-Mafahim al-Islamiyyah al-‘Ammah. Al-Qaherah: Majlis al-A’la lil Shu’un al-Islamiyyah (baru jumpa balik rujukan ini…).
Zaydan, ‘Abd al-Karim (2000). Usul al-Da‘wah, Cet. ke-vii. Beirut: Muassasah al-Risalah.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hanin Hamjah, S., Mat Akhir, N.S. Islamic Approach in Counseling. J Relig Health 53, 279–289 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9703-4
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9703-4