Religious Coping in Parenting Special Needs: Insights from Islamic Teachings

Abstract

This study explains the religious coping in parenting special needs children (SNC), focusing on insights from Islamic teachings. It aims to understand how Islamic principles and practices can support parents in managing the unique emotional and psychological challenges associated with raising SNC. A qualitative approach was employed through document analysis, analyzing contemporary research articles on religious coping, and relevant verses from Qur’ān and Ḥadītḥ. The findings indicate that religious coping, rooted in Islamic teachings, significantly contributes to emotional regulation. Three key Islamic concepts, namely, ṣabr (patience), tawakkul (trust in Allah), and iḥtisāb (seeking reward) are validated as pivotal in helping individuals manage their emotions. This research bridges the gap between Islamic religious teachings and the psychological needs of parents raising SNC by highlighting the effectiveness of these religious practices in maintaining healthy and positive emotional well-being. Keywords: Religious Coping, Special Needs Children, Parenting