A believer has full faith and trust in Allah and in His divine decree, yet may nonetheless suffer from psychological issues that require assistance from a therapist. Modern secular psychology does not tend to consider the impact or benefits of religion and spirituality on our well-being, even though these are often the most important aspect of a Muslim’s life. This can often not only increase distress and suffering, but also lead to a crisis of faith.

In A Reference Guide for Character Development, Dr. Feryad A. Hussain blends modern psychology with verses from the Qur’an and authentic hadiths. Through an Islamic reframing of eighty-five therapeutic themes – including self-control, patience, accepting advice, anger/aggression, being grateful, confidence, coping, flexibility, guilt, and many more – Dr. Hussain draws on her extensive experience as a clinical psychologist to offer alternative understandings based on Allah’s message to humankind. The text provides logic and divine comfort to help clients and therapists resolve their issues through faith, contemplation, and prayer.