Human symbols and divine signs in Psychotherapy and Psychological Counseling: Islamic discourse

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problems of using symbols in religious-oriented psychological assistance to Muslims. The author analyzes approaches to the symbol concept in Psychology and Philosophy, as well as develops the theory and practice of using symbols in Psychotherapy. Symbols are considered in the context of Islamic divine signs, which are provided by Allah in order to contemplate, to understand and to disclose them in the nature and personality of a man, as well as in historical events from the past described in holy scriptures. Based on the analysis of the text of the Qur’an, the author emphasizes the connection between symbolic Qur’anic images and the inner world of a person, the state of their intellectual and spiritual development. Based on the works of Islamic authors of the past and present, the article suggests methods for using symbolic images presented in the Qur’an in the practice of counseling and psychotherapy, as well as substantiates the basic principles that must be observed in the process of providing psychological assistance to Muslims.