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When Islamic and Western Modes of Psychology Align - The ‘Success Helper’ Aql Thinking Approach

As a student of the Islamic World view I have become acquainted with the concept of ‘tarbiyah.’ Tarbiyah encourages us to look beyond narrow definitions of what a ‘learner’ is and to consider the many facets of being a person. Students are not just anonymous clients in a system, potential units of production, conditioned to service the needs of society. There are ‘physical, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions of the human being’ to consider and in a school system, the teachers and school leaders are charged with the responsibility to address a child’s development in a holistic way. 

Where do we begin? If we are, as educators and leaders, to optimise our ability to develop the child in a holistic manner, Islamic wisdom encourages us to address the tarbiyah of the self. How do we develop all the dimensions of our humanity so that we can become a model (Murabbi) of what we are in a total sense, so that our students see us walk our talk?

The process of ‘inner transformation’ is ongoing as we review and refine the inward attributes, dimensions of the ‘physical, the spiritual, and the intellectual.’ The more practiced we become in attending to these personal qualities, they become habit, and how we present ourselves to others is automatic, intuitive. This is the outward expression of the inward integrity of the ‘physical, spiritual and intellectual dimensions of the human being,’ which is nurtured and monitored, reviewed, and practiced as we go, so that we are self-aware and ready to help others.

I had the honour of presenting at the 9th Annual Australian Islamic Schooling Conference. As a rational emotive behaviour counsellor/educator I wanted to share how a theory of psychotherapy has synergy with Islamic psychology and the Islamic World View i.e., Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT).

REBT is the creation of renowned psychologist, Dr. Albert Ellis. It aligns strongly with Islamic principles of reason and reflection (‘aql) and its connection to how we feel and how we behave. The following quote illustrates clearly that Islamic and Western psychology has resonance with each other, and Islamic psychologists who employ the REBT method have used the term Islamic-Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (I-REBT) and say it is an appropriate psychotherapy modality that is in consonance with Islamic values.

“The integration of REBT with Islamic values is considered important because principles such as self-control, rationality, patience, tawakal (trust), and muhasabah (self-reflection) have conceptual alignment.”(Sya'ban et Ummi Kalsum, Muhammad Arif Syailendra al., 2024).

My presentation puts forward a way of bringing a counselling modality into the school and classroom in a way that honours the Islamic intention of developing the child’s ability to understand how thinking, beliefs (‘aql) is connected to how they feel and behave. It offers a way for the individual, teacher, parent, and student to manage themselves successfully emotionally and behaviourally. It is the inner work that we attend to so our outward posture, demeanour, behaviour reflects Success Helper thinking (‘aql) such as unconditional acceptance of self, others, and life. It also helps students develop internal locus of control and frustration tolerance so that they can proceed with confidence, self-awareness and with positive intent.

The 9th Annual Australian Islamic Schooling Conference was

 presented by The Centre for Islamic Thought and Education


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