It is with great enthusiasm that I begin this blog in the hopes of integrating two of my greatest passions in life – Islam and Social Work. For those of you who may not be too familiar with the premise of Social Work, it is essentially a field where the primary focus is to improve the quality of life for others, and especially more vulnerable populations. This is done through various means including, psychosocial counseling, linking clients with resources, and advocating for clients as needed. There are a number of frameworks that guide Social Work practice; among them is the bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective. As the name suggests, this perspective is unique in that it enables practitioners to focus on the individual within his or her environment by examining all the different facets of their life. Whereas a doctor may only focus on the physical symptoms a patient presents, a Social Worker draws information from all parts of a client’s presenting situation. What this does is that it widens the lens of “helping,” leading to more holistic approach when working in human services.
As a Muslim American woman, I am fascinated by Islam’s rich social service history and the amount of congruency between modern cognitive therapies and the essentials of Islamic spirituality at personal and collective level. From the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to the management of the caliphates following his death, to the countless Qur’anic verses and ahadith (Prophetic traditions) revolving around social service, it becomes evident that Islam and Social Work really are two peas in a pod. Understanding western ideas about the field and linking them back to this growing faith can be a monumental in appropriately serving the needs of Muslim clients. While non-Muslim Social Workers should certainly make an effort to learn the basics of the religion, in the name of cultural competence, Muslim Imams, service providers, and caregivers should also strengthen their understanding of modern Social Work concepts and frameworks. This mutual interest in learning can pave the way for localized Social Work practice with Muslim Americans.
What you will find here:
- Practical methods of working with clients and Muslim clients in particular
- A fresh, Islamic perspective on many Social Work concepts
- Stories from the lives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions as they relate to Social Work
- Personal experiences from my field work at various settings
- Resources and links
- Reflections on Islam and Social Work
What you will not find here:
- Islamic fatawa (rulings)
- Entirely opinion-based articles
- Religiously one-sided arguments
- Guest writers
Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you’ll visit again as I progress through my journey as a Muslim American Social Worker.