Social network users argue about place of psychology in Islam

Believers should look for answers to their questions in the Koran, and not turn to psychologists, some commentators to the video about the demand for experts of the Association for Psychological Help to Muslims (APHM) believe. However, their opponents assert that in the modern world, people should use everything that works for their benefit.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that from the start of the holy month of Ramadan, APHM experts provide psychological, legal, social and spiritual help to those in need by means of their telephone hotline. They receive calls daily from different regions of Russia, including from the republics of Northern Caucasus.

The APHM notes that Muslim psychologists are in high demand. This is described in the video posted on the "Alif TV" YouTube channel.

Commentators differed in their opinions about whether Muslims should seek help from psychologists.

"When in some locality a religion disappears with its spiritual practices, when there are no spiritual mentors, then people have to turn to psychologists in order to calm down their souls. I think that this a bad trend – an increase of psychologists in Islam and of their importance. It means that there is a serious gap in spiritual practices," the user under the nickname BLOG FOR MUSLIMS has expressed his opinion.

Critics are opposed by other commentators, who believe that in the modern world people should use everything that works for their benefit.

"Psychological help is a global practice. Nothing stands still, many spheres are developing. Now is the modern time, not Middle Ages. [...] Most people need psychologist's help," Natalia Kononenkova has noted.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 16, 2020 at 08:05 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.