Islamic Beliefs in Healing of Loss and Grief By Nooria MehrabyMD Kabul, MM (Pathology) Kabul, M.Counsel UWSCounsellor/Project Officer (Middle Eastern CommunitiesThe N.S.W. Service for the Treatment And Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (S.T.A.R.T.T.S)Afghan Refugees/Cross Cultural Counselling

1979 - 1989 RUSSIAN OCCUPATION1989 - 1992 CIVIL WAR1992 - 1994 CIVIL WAR (ISLAMIC GOVERNMENT) 1996 Taliban Occupies and destroys KABUL2001 Taliban rules 85% of the country(Taliban =Knowledge Seekers)2001 US War against Terror26 December 2001 : Interim Government

2 MILLION INTERNALLY DISPLACEDMORE THAN 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE KILLED 5 MILLION AFGHAN REFUGEES AROUND THE WORLD

Afghanistan: MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF WAR

Pashtun 38% Tajik 25% Uzbek 6% Hazara 19%

Minor ethnic groups:(Chahar Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others)Ethnicity:

Islam: - Sunni 84% - Shi'ite 15%Other: 1% (Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Zoroastrian and others)Religion:

5 MILLION AFGHAN REFUGEES AROUND THE WORLD

Afghan refugee children playing in the cemetery at Naser-Bagh Refugee Camp (Peshawar, Pakistan)Photo: Nooria Mehraby

Afghan refugees and a general view at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

Tents at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

Mud-brick house at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

Repairing a Mud brick house at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

Child helping to build her house at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

The Clinic at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

Water Supply at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehrabi

Amputee Survivor of the war at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

Dying of cancer at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

Children helping their relatives to build a mud-brick house at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

Child caring for her brother at the door of their house at Naser-Bagh Refugee CampPhoto: Nooria Mehraby

Common Psychological Problems Post traumatic Stress Symptoms Depression Generalized Anxiety Panic disorder Psychosomatic problems(50%) Grief and loss Psychosis

Counselling Afghan Clients Concept of Counseling Safety Exploration Social reconnection Practical Assistance Spiritual Healings

Five Practices:The Shahada that is bearing witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad, p.b.u.h. (Peace be upon him) is the last messenger of Allah,Establishing regular prayer, (Salat)Fasting for the whole month of Ramadan Giving to charity regularly (Zakat),Pilgrimage to The Holy City of Mecca (Haj) once in a lifetime if one can afford it.

Islamic Burial and Death Customs Burial Funeral Mourning

Type of lossBabies and children Still BirthMiscarriage and abortionSpouseParents

Suicide The Quran says Do not Commit Suicide ,as God is merciful to you (Quran:Surah 4,verse 29)

Predominant Affects Muslims consider a person who committed suicide, as someone who has turned his/her back on Islam; ShameGuilt AngerDisgraceStigmaFear

Quotes from Scriptures.. A Hadith states that the actions of a person, acting out of a disturbed mind cannot be held against the person.

If a person has in the heart the goodness to the weight of one atom, and has said, there is no God but Me, he/she shall come out of Hell-fire Quran (21:47)

Divine DecreeMuslims believe that Allah creates every soul and life, and that life is a gift from God.

Divine Decree contMuslims believe that there is life after death, that Allah appoints

a time for each person to pass from this

existence into the next and that death is

unavoidable and will take place when the time is right.

Trial and Test Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives and the fruits of your toil, but give glad tiding to those who patiently persevere. Who say, when afflicted with calamity: To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return(Quran: 2:155).

Patience Brings RewardI have no reward other than paradise for my believing servant who is patient when I take away one of his beloved from among his companions of the world Quran: 63

what ever trouble, illness, anxiety, grief, pain and sorrow afflicts a Muslim, even if it is the pricking of a thorn-Allah removes some of his sins because of itHadith

Self InitiativeSurely God does not change the condition in which people are until they change that which is in themselvesQuran (13:11).

Positive ThinkingSo the fact is that along with every hardship there is also ease, indeed, with every hardship there is also ease Quran(94:5-6)

It may well be that Allah brings about ease after hardship Quran(65:7).

You should know that victory comes with patience, and relief comes after distress, and that with every hardship there is also ease.Hadith

Devotion to AllahHe guides to Himself those who turn to Him in penitence, those who believe and whose heart has rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest. (Quran 13:27-28).

Mercy and ForgivenessAnd I have said: seek forgiveness from your Lord. He was ever forgiving Quran 71:10

Professional AssistanceSeek treatments slaves of Allah, for Allah did not create a disease except He created a cure for itHadith

Looking after your self is the obligation of each Muslim. Hadith

Culturally Appropriate Counselling TechniquesChallenging and reframing distorted thinking

Prayer for Gods mercy and forgiveness

Psycho-spiritual education

Final NoteWhatever we are given is a gift from Allah. We are not its owner. Everything belongs to Allah and returns To Him.To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return. Amen