Maristāns and Islāmic Psychology

by Rania Awaad, Merve Nursoy-Demir

Maristāns and Islāmic Psychology outlines how the novel methods, tools, and approaches for treating psychological illnesses developed in the maristāns (hospitals) of the Muslim world can be utilized today in formulating a practical implementation of Islāmic Psychology. As a trademark of the Islāmic Civilization, the maristāns were institutions of healing that boasted the world’s first treatment centers for treating psychological illnesses. They also served as the center where theoretical concepts developed by early Muslim scholars— physicians, theologians, and philosophers— who contributed to the creation of Islāmic Psychology were translated into practical, clinical applications.

A detailed examination of the treatment modalities within these historical treatment centers provides a promising model for creating a holistic approach to psychological healing that is grounded in Islāmic heritage. The text completes such an examination, highlighting the practical Islāmic Psychology treatment methods in 14 maristāns geographically spread throughout the Muslim world in order to bridge this centuries-long model of psychological care to the modern context.

As part of the Islāmic Psychology and Psychotherapy Focus series, this book provides a foundation for mental health professionals who either directly deliver psychotherapy services or are involved in creating theories, institutions, or spaces of Islāmic Psychology and psychotherapy.

146 pages, Hardcover

Published December 30, 2024