Navigating Grief Through Islamic Perspective

Grief is a human experience, which is a response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something which holds significant importance to the person’s life. Grief is a very personal process that involves physical, emotional, and psychological responses but how people deal with the loss can differ greatly.

Different religious beliefs provide different ways of coping strategies to deal with the grieving process. However, in every belief Acceptance serves as the first step. In Islam, the faith provides unique practices and ways that help people to find power, strength and resilience to deal with crisis. This article aims to understand the beliefs and practices followed in Islam to support people with grief and help them cultivate peace.

Religion as the Coping Mechanism

Research has shown evidence that people who have seen the death of a close one are more likely to experience grief than others. Islam believes that death is a part of Allah’s plan. Everyone who is born into this world must leave it according to God’s will; grief and sadness may be expressed as long as one does not begin to criticize or question the divine decision.

There is an official mourning period of three days when the family will remain at home and be brought food by friends and relatives. But after the completion of the three days of mourning, people are instructed to start their daily life activities and responsibilities to continue with their lives. Studies have shown that people who don’t believe in god or lack strong faith in god, i.e. strong and full confidence in their religion or god in their lives are likely to become more depressed and remain depressed longer (after the loss) than those who have a strong connection with god. (Bonelli, 2012)

Core Islamic Beliefs that Offer Strength at Time of Grief

Many Islamic beliefs and teachings are mentioned in the Quran for people at times of crisis or loss. These are the principles that provide support and increase cognitive strength during difficult times:

Sabr (patience): Patience is the most important concept that is considered as the basis of Islamic belief, viewed as a multifaceted concept that encompasses endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness in the face of adversity. Patience emphasizes that Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity and encourages believers to have the patience to seek His help through prayer dua.

Tawakkul: Tawakkul or trust in God, is an Islamic principle that provides support during times of grief or loss. This belief comprehends that everything happens according to God’s will and wisdom, even if the reasons are not clear to us. By placing complete trust in God’s plan, individuals can find peace and acceptance in their loss, acknowledging that there is a higher purpose behind every event of life. This sense of faith and confidence in God helps to ease the emotional burden and ensures inner peace.

Strategies used by Messengers of God

Messengers of God are called as prophets, those chosen by god to convey the message of Islam and guide people towards humanity and compassion. Most of the time different prophets have set ways to process grief, following these practices is vital for understanding strength and power at the time of grief, for better understanding these practices are explained in emotional, spiritual and problem-focused strategies:

Emotion-Focused Coping: One of the coping styles employed by different Prophets was emotion-focused coping, which involves dealing with the emotional aspects of grief and loss such as crying, and 3 days of mourning.

Spiritual-Focused Coping: Prophets utilized spiritual-focused coping strategies, emphasizing secure attachment to Allah and positive religious coping strategies as ways to manage their grief like regular praying and dua.

Problem-Focused Coping: Another coping style employed by Prophets was problem-focused coping, which involves actively addressing the practical challenges and problems related to the loss. This coping strategy focuses on taking practical steps to manage and overcome the stressor, such as seeking solutions and making efforts to change the situation for the better.

Community Support During Times of Grief

Gathering as a community is very important in Islam, all through the life cycle of Muslims. Worship during communal prayers at (Friday) Jummah, and during Muslim holiday feast days, gathering as a mosque community is in religious belief. Community support plays an important role in helping individuals navigate challenges. Supporting people in a community can have a significantly positive impact on a person’s grief. Support from the community provides a sense of belongingness, and sharing feelings with others who care can be deeply reassuring. This community support can validate the feelings and help them feel less alone in their time of grief.

Conclusion

The Islamic perspective on grief provides a unique way for understanding and navigating the complex emotions at the time of loss. Rooted in core beliefs such as patience (Sabr), trust in God (Tawakkul), and coping strategies and examples inspired by the Messengers of God, Islam provides individuals with resilience and inner peace during times of crisis. Community support further enhances this process, providing a sense of belonging. By embracing these teachings and beliefs, individuals can find strength and ultimately cultivate peace during adversity.

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