Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! We of course believe that giving and receiving counsel is congruent with our identity as Muslims. Islamic texts are replete with encouragement to help each other. Mutual support is not possible to achieve as a community until we both give and accept help. The Prophet Muhammad (sala Allahu alayhi wa sallam) both gave and received counsel in personal affairs. For example, he matchmade between couples and mediated their disagreements; others did the same for him with his wives. Engaging a professional counselor or psychotherapist is recommended by many prominent Muslim jurists worldwide for individuals experiencing mental health problems and their families. Many masjid Imams and other Muslim community leaders in our DMV area network with mental healthcare workers and systems to provide needed services.

Misconceptions around the acceptability of counseling in Islam have contributed to feelings of shame and behaviors of underutilization of mental health services in the Muslim community. Underutilization of services can take the form of waiting until the situation is dire or the problem has caused irreparable harm or even abstaining from services altogether. Sadly, social stigma, misconceptions about mental healthcare, and other cultural barriers lead to preventable deaths in the Muslim community related to unaddressed mental health needs. Many Muslims experience prolonged distress, decreased productivity, unnecessary conflict and relationship damage, and other problems that could be prevented by engaging in mental health support services.