In Islam, spiritual healing is a combination of our faith in Allah (swt), putting that faith in practice and taking care of our personal well-being. For Muslim women, this involves aligning physical, emotional, and spiritual needs with Islamic teachings. This article explores spiritual healing from an Islamic perspective, including relevant Quranic verses, Hadith, and Sunnah practices, and examines how these can be complemented by other healing methods.

The many barriers Muslim women face when accessing support often revolve around having to explain themselves and the fear of not being understood or acknowledged. With our unique experiences and identities, we want to feel heard and understood without being judged or made to feel like we are being judged.

We've all heard of excellent charities that provide a service to those who need a listening ear. We can all probably name a handful of ways to get help and advice. We're bombarded with their adverts when we watch videos online, or scroll through our social media feeds. And it's fantastic, really, the recognition of the serious need for talk therapy, for counselling, for an outlet for a voice that yearns to be heard. But what's out there for the Muslim woman when she is in a crisis and she worries about the advice of someone who does not share her faith? Who is on the other end of the phone when utmost discretion and understanding is needed when it comes to her culture, her custom, and, most importantly, her creed? 

Inna lilahi wa inna illahi raji'un—To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return. These words offer a profound reminder of our place in the universe and the temporary nature of our worldly existence. Losing a loved one is undoubtedly one of the hardest trials we face in this life. Yet, Allah (SWT) has created us to worship Him and live in communities where we support one another. Talking about our feelings of sadness and loss is an essential step toward healing.

So often, in this strange reality we inhabit, we find ourselves teetering on the brink of being overwhelmed by life's many hurdles and hardships. They are a ready, bottomless pit at our feet, awaiting the moment we can no longer balance at the edge. Echoing in this pit are menacing whispers, encouraging your pain, exacerbating your sorrow, urging you to keep giving up.

Anxiety and depression are types of mood disorders. Depression causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and reduced energy, while anxiety creates feelings of nervousness, worry, or dread. Although these two disorders are different, it is possible to experience both simultaneously. Major depression is a treatable disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, acts, and functions. At any point in time, 3 to 5 percent of people suffer from major depression, and the lifetime risk is about 17 percent.

Compassion fatigue is trauma or trauma by proxy which means exposure to the trauma of other people. This includes continuous care and responsibility, eg a parent, carer, health care workers without support . Lack of self care and insufficient personal or professional boundaries lead to compassion fatigue.

Therapy for Muslim women in the UK is crucial to help countless women suffering in silence. Due to the stigma attached to mental health and the cultural expectations for a woman to carry on despite numerous challenges, many women cannot reach out to their families and friends.

Finding mental health services can be daunting, especially when looking for providers who align with our religious beliefs. Alhamduillah, gone are the days when Muslim therapists and counsellors were as rare as gold dust.