Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question: Assalamu alaykum
I wanted to know if Islam permits muslims to seek cognitive therapy, hypnosis or talking therapy in order to remeber a traumatic past that has been irking them and causing anxiety for many years?
Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh
Thank you for your question.
Yes, using to forms of therapy is permissible in Islam, but one must bear in mind that any form of healing comes from Allah alone, and that we simply take the most effective means (Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar). The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Allah has not sent down any illness except that he has send a cure for it too’ (Bukhari).
In cases where the symptoms caused by trauma are severe – such as suicidal tendencies, extreme rage which affects one’s family etc – seeking an effective means to remedy the issue may even be obligatory. This is especially the case if it affects one’s religious practice, or if someone is likely to traumatise their children because their own traumatic experiences have not been resolved. The Messenger of Allah told us, ‘No harm [can be done to others] and reciprocating with harm [is not allowed either] (Ibn Majah).
Many a time people find themselves with the baggage of trauma, such as psychosomatic pain, depression, and OCD to name a few, yet they are not to blame for the cause. This is part of the tests Allah decreed for someone in order to forgive, reward and raise them to the ranks He wishes them to attain. However, one should see themselves as being responsible for seeking a cure if the above situations occur.
Sometimes it is possible to resolve minor issues on your own through various simple therapies such as EFT, or PSTEC – which is based on Nobel Prize winning research. The former can be learned easily via a quick search online, and the latter is available as a free audio file online.
Should the symptoms not leave, worsen, or if the cause was a long term issue or developmental trauma, one should seek the help of a professional.
May Allah heal all those from the Umma of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) who are ill.
Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat