Chapters by Nazila Isgandarova
Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling, 2018
There appears to be a great deal of discussion among non-Muslim healthcare professionals, especia... more There appears to be a great deal of discussion among non-Muslim healthcare professionals, especially nurses and physicians, about medical assistance in dying. However, the discussion of medical assistance in dying among Muslim health caregivers including physicians, social workers, spiritual caregivers, etc. remains insufficient. A thorough analysis of the content of available resources revealed that we need more literature to analyze the attitude of Muslim health caregivers towards medical assistance in dying. This article describes the general attitude towards medical assistance in dying among non-Muslim. This will allow us to observe the challenges and dilemmas faced by Muslim healthcare professionals around medical assistance in dying.
This article first describes Sufism, the mystical/spiritual tradition of Islam then move to defin... more 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 cog-nitive 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.
Touch in the Helping Professions, 2017
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, a... more JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.
Navigating Religious Difference in Spiritual Care and Counseling, 2019
This chapter focuses on the religious locations of Muslim counselors and discusses the practice o... more This chapter focuses on the religious locations of Muslim counselors and discusses the practice of relational-ethical spiritual care and counseling with non- Muslim clients. I will provide theological reflection, via the writings of the great Andalusian Sufi Muyi al-Din Ibn al-VArabi (d. 1240), that offers insights for practicing the religious values of love, mercy, and empathy in a way that enables counselors not only to become highly tolerant to religious differences but to accept those differences as the client’s universal truth. I will also draw upon insights from counselor education and the social sciences to describe how Muslim spiritual caregivers and counselors can engage non-Muslim clients and address the unique challenges that may arise because of their own personal and religious locations. I argue that in order to deal with cultural issues effectively, clinical work needs to be grounded not only in theory but in the knowledge of clients’ cultures in order to accurately evaluate clients’ responses and varied behaviors.
This paper presents a brief historical narrative of the secular Muslim feminist movements in Azer... more This paper presents a brief historical narrative of the secular Muslim feminist movements in Azerbaijan in order to examine the effects of patriarchy and colonization on the status of women and the emergence of Muslim feminist movements in Azerbaijan. I argue that the understanding of the theological and ideological positions of Muslim feminist movements during the Russian colonization is important for comprehending the historical emergence of feminism in Azerbaijan. Resources have been taken from the writings of the Muslim men and women in Azerbaijan. The first part of this paper provides a general background on the secular feminist movements of the Muslim women and their struggle for equality in Azerbaijan in order to answer the question “What role did the struggles of particular women (e.g. the struggles against colonialism and patriarchy) play in the emergence of the feminist movements in Azerbaijan?” The second part of the paper deals with the emergence of the feminist movements. Finally, we provide examples of the achievements and struggles of the Azerbaijani feminists, especially in terms of women’s right to education.
Spirituality and health: multidisciplinary explorations, 2005
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce to the Western reader the basic teachings of spiritua... more The purpose of this chapter is to introduce to the Western reader the basic teachings of spiritual care in Islam, since the act of caring in Islam is not widely covered in Eurocentric literature. It is impossible to present the depth and breadth of Islam in this chapter; my intention, therefore, is to provide the average reader with some insights into the subject that will help him/her appreciate the principles for which Islam stands
Papers by Nazila Isgandarova
This is a qualitative research study that addresses the problem of domestic violence perpetrated ... more This is a qualitative research study that addresses the problem of domestic violence perpetrated on pregnant
women in Azerbaijani society to discover whether pregnant Muslim women in Azerbaijan who are subjected
to domestic violence find the role of Islam helpful in tackling the violence against them. Although this
study is descriptive in its nature and the findings from the data are limited to the research participants only,
a dire need exists for further study in this area to identify and eliminate the risk factors pregnant women
face in Azerbaijan. The results suggest that domestic violence against pregnant women is significantly
reduced during pregnancy. However, some cultural and religious factors play a significant role in reducing
or increasing the incidence of violence against pregnant women. For example, the Azerbaijani government
recently adopted several measures to tackle violence against women. Nevertheless, applying progressive
Islamic teachings can increase the moral and spiritual values of these social, educational, and legal initiatives
in tackling domestic violence against pregnant women in Azerbaijan.
This is a qualitative research study that addresses the problem of domestic violence perpetrated ... more This is a qualitative research study that addresses the problem of domestic violence perpetrated on pregnant women in Azerbaijani society to discover whether pregnant Muslim women in Azerbaijan who are subjected to domestic violence find the role of Islam helpful in tackling the violence against them. Although this study is descriptive in its nature and the findings from the data are limited to the research participants only, a dire need exists for further study in this area to identify and eliminate the risk factors pregnant women face in Azerbaijan. The results suggest that domestic violence against pregnant women is significantly reduced during pregnancy. However, some cultural and religious factors play a significant role in reducing or increasing the incidence of violence against pregnant women. For example, the Azerbaijani government recently adopted several measures to tackle violence against women. Nevertheless, applying progressive Islamic teachings can increase the moral and spiritual values of these social, educational, and legal initiatives in tackling domestic violence against pregnant women in Azerbaijan.
The article investigates the correlational approach to Islamic spiritual care as a framework for ... more The article investigates the correlational approach to Islamic spiritual care as a framework for a new perspectives on Islamic spiritual care. by presenting the correlational approach to Islamic spiritual care, the subject matter is located at the intersection of Islamic theology and the social and human sciences, addressing developmental theory, grief theory and gender studies among other things. The article emphasizes multidimensional assessment and the different application of spiritual, therapeutic, supportive, educational, and resource management strategies in Islamic spiritual care with respect to the role and importance of the correlational approach.
Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling: Advancing theory and professional practice through scholarly and reflective publications, 2014
This article highlights some significant aspects of the new regulations and the benefits of the C... more This article highlights some significant aspects of the new regulations and the benefits of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario (CRPO) with regard to the spiritual care and counseling practice of Muslim spiritual caregivers, including imams.
The muteness in the Qur’an about suicide due to intolerable pain and a firm opposition to suicide... more The muteness in the Qur’an about suicide due to intolerable pain and a firm opposition to suicide in the hadith literature formed a strong opinion among Muslims that neither repentance nor the suffering of the person can remove the sin of suicide or mercy ‘killing’ (al-qatl al-rahim), even if these acts are committed with the purpose of relieving suffering and pain. Some interpretations of the Islamic sources even give advantage to murderers as opposed to people who commit suicide because the murderers, at least, may have opportunity to repent for their sin. However, people who commit suicide are ‘labeled’ for losing faith in the afterlife without a chance to repent for their act. This paper claims that Islamic spiritual care can help people make decisions that may impact patients, family members, health care givers and the whole community by responding to questions such as ‘What is the Islamic view on death?’, ‘What is the Islamic response to physician-assisted suicide and other forms of euthanasia?’, ‘What are the religious and moral underpinnings of these responses in Islam?’
The paper deals with historical approaches to Islamic theological studies and a discussion of the... more The paper deals with historical approaches to Islamic theological studies and a discussion of the new initiatives that inspire Islamic practical theology. The author argues that there is a need for practical theology in Islamic studies. The question is how practical Islamic theological studies may help Muslim religious leaders and clergy to connect their theological understanding to the everyday experience of Muslims in the community, society and the world. The second question in this paper relates to the daily life practice of our faith and tradition: "How do the daily life practices gain an 'epistemic weight' in the production of new knowledge in practical Islamic theology, where Islamic doctrine, tradition, philosophy, and the 'living human document' hold a central position?
The primary goal of this article is to describe spiritual and religious considerations of music i... more The primary goal of this article is to describe spiritual and religious considerations of music in Islamic spiritual care for enhancing spiritual care to Muslims. In medieval times in the Muslim world, music played an important role in healthcare practices. For example music was used not only to enhance spirituality of patients but also to improve their health. Many Muslim scholars and musicians used musical theory and techniques as a way of connecting patients with the Divine, inspiring hope and finding meaning in their crisis, suffering and illness. Therefore music can be used in spiritual care for Muslims as a tool to connect patients with spiritual sources of strength.
The findings also suggest that God was a main symbol of hope for
Khojali women whose spiritual an... more The findings also suggest that God was a main symbol of hope for
Khojali women whose spiritual and religious beliefs had a great deal to
do with their health outlook, their coping mechanisms, etc. Despite the
intensive emotional turmoil of rape and its effects, the Khojali women
maintained relationship between themselves and the divine. This relationship
had taken different forms, including but not limited to prayer,
practices such as holding of symbolic tools and objects, etc. This was a
strong evidence of their desire for healing, help, and succor.
This article highlights some significant aspects of the new regulations and the benefits of the C... more This article highlights some significant aspects of the new regulations and the benefits of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario (CRPO) in regards to the spiritual care and counseling practice of Muslim spiritual caregivers and imams. Currently, not all chaplains, spiritual care providers, and pastoral counselors, including Muslim spiritual caregivers in Ontario need to register in the College. Nonetheless, the scope of the practice of Muslim spiritual caregivers and imams includes the practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Therefore, Imams, and other Muslim spiritual caregivers may decide to join the new College in order to engage in the practice of psychotherapy in an ethical manner.
Multifaith Views In Spiritual Care, (Daniel S. Schipani, Ed.), Jan 2013
Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Nov 2012
The criteria for what constitutes an Islamic spiritual care in contemporary era are not fixed to ... more The criteria for what constitutes an Islamic spiritual care in contemporary era are not fixed to tradition but rather redefined "as society's need for and definition of professions change in response to societal conditions and values" (Humphreys & Dinerman, 1984, p. 182). The author tries to raise an awareness that to be an effective profession, Islamic spiritual care givers need to use adequate holistic concepts without which Islamic spiritual care would neither achieve a coherent scientific knowledge base nor be able to serve its various Muslim population.
Abstract: In Canada, Muslim communities turn to Muslim spiritual caregivers, especially to imams,... more Abstract: In Canada, Muslim communities turn to Muslim spiritual caregivers, especially to imams, for help with various problems. Research has shown that many Muslim spiritual caregivers are familiar with the Arabic language and Islamic values but have limited ...
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Chapters by Nazila Isgandarova
Papers by Nazila Isgandarova
women in Azerbaijani society to discover whether pregnant Muslim women in Azerbaijan who are subjected
to domestic violence find the role of Islam helpful in tackling the violence against them. Although this
study is descriptive in its nature and the findings from the data are limited to the research participants only,
a dire need exists for further study in this area to identify and eliminate the risk factors pregnant women
face in Azerbaijan. The results suggest that domestic violence against pregnant women is significantly
reduced during pregnancy. However, some cultural and religious factors play a significant role in reducing
or increasing the incidence of violence against pregnant women. For example, the Azerbaijani government
recently adopted several measures to tackle violence against women. Nevertheless, applying progressive
Islamic teachings can increase the moral and spiritual values of these social, educational, and legal initiatives
in tackling domestic violence against pregnant women in Azerbaijan.
Khojali women whose spiritual and religious beliefs had a great deal to
do with their health outlook, their coping mechanisms, etc. Despite the
intensive emotional turmoil of rape and its effects, the Khojali women
maintained relationship between themselves and the divine. This relationship
had taken different forms, including but not limited to prayer,
practices such as holding of symbolic tools and objects, etc. This was a
strong evidence of their desire for healing, help, and succor.
women in Azerbaijani society to discover whether pregnant Muslim women in Azerbaijan who are subjected
to domestic violence find the role of Islam helpful in tackling the violence against them. Although this
study is descriptive in its nature and the findings from the data are limited to the research participants only,
a dire need exists for further study in this area to identify and eliminate the risk factors pregnant women
face in Azerbaijan. The results suggest that domestic violence against pregnant women is significantly
reduced during pregnancy. However, some cultural and religious factors play a significant role in reducing
or increasing the incidence of violence against pregnant women. For example, the Azerbaijani government
recently adopted several measures to tackle violence against women. Nevertheless, applying progressive
Islamic teachings can increase the moral and spiritual values of these social, educational, and legal initiatives
in tackling domestic violence against pregnant women in Azerbaijan.
Khojali women whose spiritual and religious beliefs had a great deal to
do with their health outlook, their coping mechanisms, etc. Despite the
intensive emotional turmoil of rape and its effects, the Khojali women
maintained relationship between themselves and the divine. This relationship
had taken different forms, including but not limited to prayer,
practices such as holding of symbolic tools and objects, etc. This was a
strong evidence of their desire for healing, help, and succor.
Muslim spiritual and religious caregivers are the main providers of Islamic spiritual care. When visiting the sick in hospitals, prisons, etc., Muslim spiritual and religious care givers do not have sacraments to administer and there are no formal rites to perform. However, all devout Muslims consider their prayers important. In the case of terminal illness and death, many families turn to mosques or other Islamic institutions for help. The majority prefer imams to visit the hospital during these difficult times. The therapeutic or healing relationship of Muslim spiritual and religious care givers with a client is a face-to-face individual interaction that is mainly based on the “therapeutic relationship,” which is a healing relationship between patients and the spiritual care givers. Such relationships involve the most essential techniques - talking, modeling, and creating awareness in the client.
Muslim Women, Domestic Violence, and Psychotherapy reconciles newly emerging Islamic practical theology with the findings and theories of contemporary social sciences. It is an inquiry about the lived experience of the Islamic tradition and its application in Islamic counseling with Muslim women subject to domestic violence. By incorporating a holistic examination of the worldview, personhood, and understanding of social and religious obligations of Muslim women in counseling, this book shows how practitioners can empower clients facing trauma and abuse to explore feasible solutions and decrease worry, anxiety, and other negative emotions.