Abstract
This article first describes Sufism, the mystical/spiritual tradition of Islam then move to define Islamic psychotherapy and the various aspects of muraqaba by providing an overview of the Sufi literature. I will also highlight how the techniques used in muraqaba can be adapted and used as mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, meditation, transcendental meditation, mind-body techniques (meditation, relaxation), and body-mind techniques. Although muraqaba might not be effective for all mental health issues, I suggest a possible value of muraqaba for treating symptomatic anxiety, depression, and pain. Furthermore, Muslim clinicians must be properly trained in classical Sufi traditions before using muraqaba techniques in their clinical practice.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdullah, K. (2007). A peaceful ideal, violent realities: A study on Muslim female domestic violence survivors. In M. B. Alkhateeb & S. E. Abugideiri (Eds.), Change from within: Diverse perspectives on domestic violence in Muslim communities (pp. 69–90). Alexandria, VA: The Peaceful Families Project.
al-Balkhi, A. Z. (2013). In Malik Badri (Ed.), Sustenance of the soul: The cognitive behavior therapy of a ninth century Physician. Herndon, VA: International Institute of Islamic Thought.
al-Ghazali, A. H. (1993). Revival of religious learning (Ihya Ulum-id-Din). (Fazl ul-Karim, Trans.). Karachi: Darul-Ishaat
al-Jawziyah, M. I. A. B. I. Q. (1981). al-Fawa’id. Beirut: Dar al-Nafa’is.
al-Jawziyah, M. I. A. B. I. Q. (1994). Miftāḥ dār al-saʻādah wa-manshūr wilāyat al-ʻilm wa-al-irādah. Bayrut: Dasr al-Jil.
al-Suhrawardi, A.-N. (1975). A Sufi rule for novices (Kitāb ādāb al-murīdīn of Abū al-Najīb al-Suhrawardī). An abridged translation and introd. by Menahem Milson. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Awaad, R., & Ali, S. (2015). Obsessional disorders in al-Balkhi’s 9th century treatise: Sustenance of the body and soul. Journal of Affecrtive Disorders, 180, 185–189.
Azal, R. (2015). Healing with Islamic meditation (Muraqaba). http://www.theartofislamichealing.com/healing-with-islamic-meditation-muraqaba/. Accessed 4 Sept 2018.
Azeemi, K. (2005). Muraqaba: The art and science of Sufi meditation. Houston: Plato.
Badri, M. (2000). Contemplation: An Islamic psychospiritual study. London: IIIT.
Chishti, A. G. M. (1985). The book of sufi healing. New York: Inner Traditions International, Limited.
Chittick, W. C. (2001). Sufism: A short introduction. Oxford: Oneworld Publications.
Chittick, W. C. (2005). Sufism: Beginners guide. Oxford: Oneworld.
Chittick, W. C. (Ed.). (2007). The inner journey: Views from the Islamic tradition. Sandpoint, ID: Morning Light Press.
Daneshpur, M. (2012). Family systems therapy and postmodern approaches. In S. Ahmed & M. M. Amer (Eds.), Counselling Muslims: Handbook of mental health issues and interventions (pp. 119–134). New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor, and Francis Group.
Dharamsi, S., & Abdullah, M. (2012). Islamic-based interventions. In Sameera Ahmed & Mona M. Amer (Eds.), Counselling Muslims: Handbook of mental health issues and interventions (pp. 135–160). New York, NY: Taylor and Francis Group.
Dwairy, M. (2006). Counseling and psychotherapy with Arabs and Muslims: A culturally sensitive approach. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
Ernst, C. E. (2011). Sufism: An introduction to the mystical tradition of Islam. Boston: Shambhala.
Green, N. (2012). Sufism: A global history. Oxford: Wiler-Blackwell.
Haque, A., Khan, F., & Keshavarzi, H. (2016). Integrating Islamic traditions in modern psychology: Research trends in last ten years. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 10(1), 75–99. https://doi.org/10.3998/jmmh.10381607.0010.107.
Hayes, S. C. (2004). Acceptance and commitment therapy and the new behavioral therapies: Mindfulness acceptance and relationship. In S. C. Hayes, V. M. Follette, & M. Linehan (Eds.), Mindfulness and acceptance: Expanding the cognitive behavioral tradition (pp. 1–29). New York: Guilford.
Hussein, J. W. (2018). The social–psychological and phenomenological constructs of spirituality in the culture of dhikr in Eastern Ethiopia. Culture & Psychology, 24(1), 26–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354067x16672415.
Isgandarova, N. (2008). Muslim spiritual care and counselling. In T. O’Connor, E. Meakes, & C. Lashmar (Eds.), The spiritual care givers guide to identity, practice and relationships: Transforming the honeymoon in spiritual care and therapy (pp. 135–256). Waterloo: WLU Press.
Isgandarova, N. (2012). Effectiveness of Islamic spiritual care: Foundations and practices Of Muslim spiritual care givers. Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, 66(3), 1–14.
Isgandarova, N. (2018). Muslim women, domestic violence, and psychotherapy: Theological and clinical issues.. New York: Routledge.
Isgandarova, N., & O’Connor, T. (2012). A redefinition and model of Canadian Islamic spiritual care. Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, 66(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/154230501206600207.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness based interventions in context: Past, present and future. Clinical Psychological Science Practice, 10, 144–156.
Keshavarzi, H., & Haque, A. (2013). Outlining a psychotherapy model for enhancing Muslim mental health within an Islamic context. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 23, 230–249.
Khan, H. I. (1983). The Music of Life. Santa FE, N.M.: Omega Publications.
Linehan, M. (1993). Cognitive behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. New York: Guilford Press.
Mirdal, G. (2012). Mevlana Jalāl-ad-Dīn Rumi and mindfulness. Journal of Religion and Health, 4, 1202–1215.
Murata, S., & Chittick, W. C. (1994). The vision of Islam. New York: Paragon House.
Nasr, S. H. (2007). The garden of truth: The vision and practice of Sufism. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco.
Picken, G. (2011). Spiritual purification in Islam: The life and works of al-Muhasibi. London, UK: Routledge.
Podikunju-Hussain, S. (2006). Working with Muslims: Perspectives and suggestions for counseling. In G. R. Walz, J. Bleuer, & R. K. Yep (Eds.), VISTAS: Compelling perspectives on counseling (pp. 103–106). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Society.
Rahman, F. (1966). Islam. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago press.
Sabry, W., & Adarsh, V. (2013). Role of Islam in the management of psychiatric disorders. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(6), S205–S214.
Sadr al-Din al-Qunawi, M. I. I. (1949). I’jaz al-bayan fi tafsir umm al-Qur’an. Hayderabad al-Dakan Matba’at Majlis Da’irat al-Ma’arif al-’Uthmaniyah.
Saniotis, A. (2018). Understanding mind/body medicine from Muslim religious practices of Salat and Dhikr. Journal of Religion and Health, 57(3), 849–857.
Schimmel, A. (2011). Mystical dimensions of Islam. Chapel Hill: The University of North Caroline Press.
Segal, Z. L., Williams, M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse. New York: Guilford Press.
Sells, M. A. (1996). Early Islamic mysticism: Sufi, Qur’an, mi’raj, poetic and theological writings. New York: Paulist Press.
Shihadeh, A. (2005). From Al-Ghazali to al-Razi: 6th/12th century developments in Muslim philosophical theology. Arabic Sciences and Philosophy, 15, 141–179.
Shirazi, S. (2003). The Bustan of Sa’di: The Orchard. Islamabad: Alhamra.
Simkin, D. R., & Black, N. (2014). Meditation and mindfulness in clinical practice. Child, Adolescence Psychiatric Clinical, 23(3), 487–534.
Valiante, W. C. (2003). Family therapy and muslim families: A solution focused approach. Arabpsynet. http://www.arabpsychnet.com/archives/op/OP.FamilyTherapy&MuslimFamilies.htm. Accessed 23 Sept 2016.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Isgandarova, N. Muraqaba as a Mindfulness-Based Therapy in Islamic Psychotherapy. J Relig Health 58, 1146–1160 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0695-y
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0695-y