Many Muslims in Nigeria wonder whether therapy fits with their faith: whether it’s allowed, whether needing it means weak iman, and whether a therapist will respect them. Here are straight answers.
No, therapy is not haram. Islam encourages seeking treatment for illness: the Prophet said Allah created no disease without also creating its treatment. Therapy can sit alongside salah, dhikr and ruqyah, and you can choose a therapist you’re comfortable with.
Is it haram to see a therapist?
Islam encourages seeking treatment when you’re ill, and that includes illness of the mind.
- The Prophet said there is no disease Allah has created without also creating its treatment. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5678)
- When people asked whether they should use medical treatment, he told them to, because Allah has not made a disease without a remedy. (Sunan Abi Dawud 3855)
- When a man asked whether to tie his camel or simply trust in Allah, the Prophet told him to tie it and trust. (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2517)
Therapy is a form of treatment. If you’d like a ruling for your own situation, ask a scholar you trust.
Does depression mean my iman is weak?
No. Sadness and distress are part of being human, and the Qur’an shows them in the lives of the best of people. Prophet Yaqub grieved for Yusuf until his eyes turned white with sorrow, and he said he complained of his anguish and grief only to Allah. (Qur’an 12:84–86) Maryam, in the pain of labour, cried out that she wished she had died before it. (Qur’an 19:23)
Their faith didn’t stop them feeling pain. It shaped where they took it. Depression is an illness, not a verdict on your faith. Read more about depression.
What about jinn and the evil eye?
Many Muslims believe in jinn and the evil eye, and ruqyah is part of the tradition. That belief doesn’t mean every struggle has a spiritual cause. Illness is part of the world Allah created, and so is its treatment. Many people do ruqyah and see a doctor or therapist at the same time.
Be wary of anyone who beats, chains, starves or isolates a person in the name of treatment. That isn’t from the religion, and it is illegal in Nigeria: the National Mental Health Act bans chains and shackles, including in faith-based centres. Our guide to choosing a rehab centre explains the law.
Muslims helped shape mental health care
In the ninth and tenth centuries, the scholar Abu Zayd al-Balkhi wrote Sustenance for Bodies and Souls. He described fear and anxiety, anger, sadness and depression, and obsessive thoughts, and he recommended treatment through talking and through changing patterns of thought, much like therapy today. In our own time, the Sudanese psychologist Malik Badri (1932–2021) pioneered what is now called Islamic psychology.
Seeking help for the mind has deep roots in Muslim scholarship.
Suggested read: Earn rewards with bounties on Mytherapist.ng
Can I see a therapist of the opposite gender?
Many Muslims prefer a therapist of the same gender, and you can choose one: therapist profiles show who you’d be speaking to. Some people are comfortable with either, especially for voice or chat sessions. If you’re unsure what’s right for you, ask a scholar you trust.
Will a therapist respect my faith?
A good therapist works within your values. You can say at the start: “My faith matters to me, and I want it to be part of how we work.” Some therapists specialise in faith-based counselling.
If a therapist suggests something that conflicts with your faith, say so. You set the goals, and a good therapist will adapt.
What about keeping family matters private?
Islam values concealing other people’s faults, and many Muslims worry that therapy means exposing the family. Therapy is confidential: what you say stays between you and your therapist, with one limit, which is a serious and immediate risk to life. Our guide to confidentiality in online therapy explains how it works.
Can therapy work alongside salah and dhikr?
Yes. Many people find prayer and therapy support each other. Some therapy skills, such as slowing your breathing or noticing your thoughts without being ruled by them, sit easily alongside dhikr.
If you’re having thoughts of suicide
Having these thoughts doesn’t make you a bad Muslim. Please tell someone today.
- If you’re in immediate danger, call 112, or 767 in Lagos.
- Safe Place Nigeria, 0800 800 2000, is toll-free and answered 24 hours a day. Our helplines page lists more.
What if my family says it’s shameful?
Our piece on answering “just pray about it” has words you can use with family, including what the hadith say about seeking treatment. When you’re ready, you can browse therapists here.
Frequently asked questions
Is therapy haram in Islam?
No. Islam encourages seeking treatment for illness, and therapy is a form of treatment. The Prophet said Allah created no disease without also creating its treatment.
Is depression a sign of weak iman?
No. The Qur’an describes the deep grief of Prophet Yaqub and the distress of Maryam. Depression is an illness, not a measure of faith.
Can I do ruqyah and therapy at the same time?
Yes. Many Muslims use both. Avoid anyone who harms or restrains people in the name of treatment.
Suggested read: Traditional Healers and Mental Illness
Can a Muslim woman see a male therapist?
Many Muslim women prefer a female therapist, and you can choose one. If you’re unsure what’s right for you, ask a scholar you trust.
How do I find a therapist who respects Islam?
Tell any therapist at the start that your faith matters to you, and look at therapists who list faith-based counselling. A good therapist will work within your values.
