Muraqaba as a Mindfulness-Based Therapy in Islamic Psychotherapy.
Nazila Isgandarova
Journal of Religion and Health August 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-018-0695-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | muraqaba |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Body-mind techniques Islamic psychotherapy Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Mindfulness-based stress reduction Muraqaba Transcendental meditation |
| Key points | Proposes that muraqaba techniques can be adapted for mindfulness-based therapies and may have value for treating anxiety, depression, and pain, but clinicians need proper training in Sufi traditions. |
Abstract
This article first describes Sufism, the mystical/spiritual tradition of Islam then move to define Islamic psychotherapy and the various aspects of muraqaba by providing an overview of the Sufi literature. I will also highlight how the techniques used in muraqaba can be adapted and used as mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, meditation, transcendental meditation, mind-body techniques (meditation, relaxation), and body-mind techniques. Although muraqaba might not be effective for all mental health issues, I suggest a possible value of muraqaba for treating symptomatic anxiety, depression, and pain. Furthermore, Muslim clinicians must be properly trained in classical Sufi traditions before using muraqaba techniques in their clinical practice.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Academic Burnout and Perceived Stress among Muslim Students: A Quasi-experimental Approach Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal May 20, 2023
- Traditional Islamic spiritual meditative practices: powerful psychotherapies for mental wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- Reducing parenting stress among Muslim mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic through spiritual mindfulness training Humanitas Indonesian Psychological Journal August 28, 2023
- EFFECTS OF DHIKR SPIRITUAL MEDITATION PRACTICE ON THE RECOVERY OF DRUG ABUSER: A PHENOMENOLOGY STUDY International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling June 30, 2024
- Using Islamic Mindfulness-Based Interventions as a Compass for Improving Muslim Mental Health Outcomes: A Scoping Review Harvard Review of Psychiatry August 26, 2026
and 8 more in the library
Cites 4
- Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition Choice Reviews Online July 1, 2005
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- Mevlana Jalāl-ad-Dīn Rumi and mindfulness. Journal of Religion and Health December 1, 2012
- Meditation and mindfulness in clinical practice. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America July 1, 2014