The specific physiology and psychology of the Ramadan fast.
Everything below was reached through this subject, not through the words you typed. Every row states how it was reached.
Qurʾān
القرآن6 shownVerses named for this subject by hand come first. The rest are found by the subject’s own Arabic and English senses and are shown as lexical matches, not as anchors anyone has confirmed.
Qur'ān 2:185Arabic sense: رمضان | English sense: Ramadan
شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدࣰ ى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتࣲ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرࣲ فَعِدَّةࣱ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُكۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ
It was in the month of Ramadan that the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong. So any one of you who is present that month should fast, and anyone who is ill or on a journey should make up for the lost days by fasting on other days later. God wants ease for you, not hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him for having guided you, so that you may be thankful
Qur'ān 2:183Arabic sense: الصيام, صيام
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God
Qur'ān 2:187Arabic sense: الصيام, صيام
أُحِلَّ لَكُمۡ لَيۡلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآئِكُمۡۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسࣱ لَّكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لِبَاسࣱ لَّهُنَّۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ تَخۡتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمۡ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَعَفَا عَنكُمۡۖ فَٱلۡـَٰٔنَ بَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبۡتَغُواْ مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡۚ وَكُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡخَيۡطُ ٱلۡأَبۡيَضُ مِنَ ٱلۡخَيۡطِ ٱلۡأَسۡوَدِ مِنَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيۡلِۚ وَلَا تُبَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمۡ عَٰكِفُونَ فِي ٱلۡمَسَٰجِدِۗ تِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهَاۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ
You [believers] are permitted to lie with your wives during the night of the fast: they are [close] as garments to you, as you are to them. God was aware that you were betraying yourselves, so He turned to you in mercy and pardoned you: now you can lie with them- seek what God has ordained for you- eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black. Then fast until nightfall. Do not lie with them during the nights of your devotional retreat in the mosques: these are the bounds set by God, so do not go near them. In this way God makes His messages clear to people, that they may guard themselves against doing wrong
Qur'ān 15:15Arabic sense: سحور
لَقَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتۡ أَبۡصَٰرُنَا بَلۡ نَحۡنُ قَوۡمࣱ مَّسۡحُورُونَ
they would still say, ‘Our eyes are hallucinating. We are bewitched.’
Qur'ān 17:101Arabic sense: سحور
وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا مُوسَىٰ تِسۡعَ ءَايَٰتِۭ بَيِّنَٰتࣲۖ فَسۡـَٔلۡ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ إِذۡ جَآءَهُمۡ فَقَالَ لَهُۥ فِرۡعَوۡنُ إِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَٰمُوسَىٰ مَسۡحُورࣰ ا
In the past, We gave Moses nine clear signs- ask the Children of Israel. When Moses came to [the Egyptians], Pharaoh said to him, ‘Moses, I think you are bewitched.’
Qur'ān 17:47Arabic sense: سحور
نَّحۡنُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يَسۡتَمِعُونَ بِهِۦٓ إِذۡ يَسۡتَمِعُونَ إِلَيۡكَ وَإِذۡ هُمۡ نَجۡوَىٰٓ إِذۡ يَقُولُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلࣰ ا مَّسۡحُورًا
We know best the way they listen, when they listen to you and when they confer in secret, and these wrongdoers say, ‘You are only following a man who is bewitched.’
Tafsīr
التفسير6 shownCommentary on the verses above, at most two editions per verse.
en-asbab-al-nuzul-by-al-wahidi on 2:185en-asbab-al-nuzul-by-al-wahidicommentary on an ayah this subject surfaced
The month of Ramadan is that wherein the Qur'an was sent down as guidance. In other words, the month of Ramadan has come to you. He is saying, “Now the month of Rama- dan has turned to the friends. It is a month that both washes and burns. It washes the hearts of the sinners with the water of repentance and burns the bodies of the servants with the fire of hunger.” The word Ramaẓān is derived either from ramẓāÌ or ramaẓī. If it is from ramẓāÌ, it means hot stone, which burns whatever is placed upon it. If it is from ramaẓī, it means rain, which washes whatever it meets. MuṣṬafā was asked, “What is Ramadan?” He replied, “In it God burns the sins of the faithful and forgives them for them.” Anas Mālik said that he heard God's Messenger say, “Ramadan has come. In it the gates of the Garden are opened, the gates of the Fire are shut, and the satans are fettered. If someone reaches Ramadan an
en-al-jalalayn on 2:185en-al-jalalayncommentary on an ayah this subject surfaced
These days of the month of Ramadān wherein the Qur’ān was revealed from the Preserved Tablet to the earthly heaven on the Night of Ordainment laylat al-qadr from Him a guidance hudan ‘a guidance’ is a circumstantial qualifier guiding away from error for the people and as clear proofs lucid verses of the Guidance the rulings that guide to truth and of the Criterion that discriminates between truth and falsehood; So let those of you who are present at the month fast it and if any of you be sick or if he be on a journey then a number of other days this concession has already been mentioned but it is repeated here to avoid the mistaken impression that it has been abrogated by the comprehensive implication of man shahida ‘who are present’. God desires ease for you and desires not hardship for you and for this reason He has permitted you the breaking of the fast during illness or travel this e
en-asbab-al-nuzul-by-al-wahidi on 2:183en-asbab-al-nuzul-by-al-wahidicommentary on an ayah this subject surfaced
O you who have faith! Written for you is fasting. In the tongue of allusion and the clarification of wisdom, He is saying, “O you who have faith, fasting has been written for you. It has been written because you will be the guests of the Real, and tomorrow in paradise He wants to take hungry guests to a banquet. When the generous take someone to a banquet, they like the guests to be hungry so that the feast will be sweeter in their hearts. The Lord of the Worlds created paradise and everything within it for the faithful. None of it is of any use to Him, nor does He have any need for it.” A pir of the Sufis sent out an invitation, but no one came. The pir lifted up his hands and said, “Lord God, if you send your servants into the fire tomorrow, paradise and perfect bliss will be like my table!” The value of a table is for people to sit there and eat. Indeed, the Lord of the Worlds created
en-asbab-al-nuzul-by-al-wahidi on 2:187en-asbab-al-nuzul-by-al-wahidicommentary on an ayah this subject surfaced
(It is made lawful for you to go in unto your wives on the night of the fast...) [2:187]. According to the report of al-Walibi, Ibn �Abbas said: �This is because after the nightfall (�Isha�) prayer during Ramadan, the Muslims were forbidden to have food or sex until the following night. But some Muslims, among whom were �Umar ibn al-Khattab, complained to Allah�s Messenger, Allah bless him and give him peace, about this. And so Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse�. Abu Bakr al-Asfahani informed us> Abu�l-Shaykh al-Hafiz> �Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad al-Razi> Sahl ibn �Uthman al-�Askari> Yahya ibn Abi Za�idah> his father and others> Abu Ishaq> al-Bara� ibn �Azib who said: �After breaking their fast, the Muslims used to be allowed to eat, drink and have sexual intercourse for as long as they did not sleep. Once they went to sleep, they were forbidden to do all these things until the f
en-al-jalalayn on 2:183en-al-jalalayncommentary on an ayah this subject surfaced
O you who believe prescribed for you obligatory for you is the Fast just as it was prescribed for those communities that were before you so that you might guard yourselves against acts of disobedience for it the fast curbs the desires that prompt these acts.
en-al-jalalayn on 2:187en-al-jalalayncommentary on an ayah this subject surfaced
Permitted to you upon the night of the Fast is to go in to your wives in sexual intercourse this was revealed as an abrogation of its unlawfulness during the earliest phase of Islam as well as an abrogation of the unlawfulness of eating and drinking after the night prayer; they are a vestment for you and you are a vestment for them a metaphor for their embraces or their need for one another; God knows that you have been betraying yourselves by having sexual intercourse on the eve of the fast this happened with ‘Umar b. al-Khattāb and others and they apologised to the Prophet s and so He has turned to you relenting before you even turned in repentance and He has pardoned you. So now when it is permitted to you lie with them in sexual intercourse and seek what God has prescribed for you of sexual intercourse or what it produces of offspring; and eat and drink at any time during the night u
Ḥadīth
الحديث6 shownSound narrations only, and never matched by text. A narration appears here because a compiler filed it under a chapter this subject maps to, or because someone read it and anchored it. Each row says which.
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ لِرَمَضَانَ " مَنْ قَامَهُ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ". قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فَتُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالأَمْرُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ كَانَ الأَمْرُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ فِي خِلاَفَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَصَدْرًا مِنْ خِلاَفَةِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما.
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of 'Umar's Caliphate
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رِجَالاً، مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أُرُوا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْمَنَامِ فِي السَّبْعِ الأَوَاخِرِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَرَى رُؤْيَاكُمْ قَدْ تَوَاطَأَتْ فِي السَّبْعِ الأَوَاخِرِ، فَمَنْ كَانَ مُتَحَرِّيَهَا فَلْيَتَحَرَّهَا فِي السَّبْعِ الأَوَاخِرِ ".
Narrated Ibn `Umar:Some men amongst the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) were shown in their dreams that the night of Qadr was in the last seven nights of Ramadan. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to search for it (i.e. the Night of Qadr) should search in the last seven (nights of Ramadan)
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ حَمْزَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، وَالدَّرَاوَرْدِيُّ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ. كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُجَاوِرُ فِي رَمَضَانَ الْعَشْرَ الَّتِي فِي وَسَطِ الشَّهْرِ، فَإِذَا كَانَ حِينَ يُمْسِي مِنْ عِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً تَمْضِي، وَيَسْتَقْبِلُ إِحْدَى وَعِشْرِينَ، رَجَعَ إِلَى مَسْكَنِهِ وَرَجَعَ مَنْ كَانَ يُجَاوِرُ مَعَهُ. وَأَنَّهُ أَقَامَ فِي شَهْرٍ جَاوَرَ فِيهِ اللَّيْلَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يَرْجِعُ فِيهَا، فَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ، فَأَمَرَهُمْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ " كُنْتُ أُجَاوِرُ هَذِهِ الْعَشْرَ، ثُمَّ قَدْ بَدَا لِي أَنْ أُجَاوِرَ هَذِهِ الْعَشْرَ الأَوَاخِرَ، فَمَنْ كَانَ اعْتَكَفَ مَعِي فَلْيَثْبُتْ فِي مُعْتَكَفِهِ، وَقَدْ أُرِيتُ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةَ ثُمَّ أُنْسِيتُهَا فَابْتَغُوهَا فِي الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ وَابْتَغُوهَا فِي كُلِّ وِتْرٍ، وَقَدْ رَأَيْتُنِي أَسْجُدُ فِي مَاءٍ وَطِينٍ ". فَاسْتَهَلَّتِ السَّمَاءُ فِي تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ، فَأَمْطَرَتْ، فَوَكَفَ الْمَسْجِدُ فِي مُصَلَّى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَيْلَةَ إِحْدَى وَعِشْرِينَ، فَبَصُرَتْ عَيْنِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ انْصَرَفَ مِنَ الصُّبْحِ، وَوَجْهُهُ مُمْتَلِئٌ طِينًا وَمَاءً.
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to practice I`tikaf (in the mosque) in the middle third of Ramadan and after passing the twenty nights he used to go back to his house on the 21st, and the people who were in I`tikaf with him also used to go back to their houses. Once in Ramadan, in which he practiced I`tikaf, he established the night prayers at the night in which he used to return home, and then he addressed the people and ordered them whatever Allah wished him to order and said, "I used to practice I`tikaf for these ten days (i.e. the middle third but now I intend to stay in I`tikaf for the last ten days (of the month); so whoever was in I`tikaf with me should stay at his place of seclusion. I have verily been shown (the date of) this Night (of Qadr) but I have forgotten it. So search for it in the odd nights of the last ten days (of this month). I also saw myself (in the dream) prostrating in mud and water." On the night of the 21st, the sky was covered with clouds and it rained, and the rainwater started leaking through the roof of the mosque at the praying place of the Prophet (ﷺ) . I saw with my own eyes the Prophet at the completion of the morning prayer leaving with his face covered with mud and water
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عَمْرَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، - رضى الله عنها - قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَعْتَكِفَ صَلَّى الْفَجْرَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ مُعْتَكَفَهُ وَإِنَّهُ أَمَرَ بِخِبَائِهِ فَضُرِبَ أَرَادَ الاِعْتِكَافَ فِي الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ فَأَمَرَتْ زَيْنَبُ بِخِبَائِهَا فَضُرِبَ وَأَمَرَ غَيْرُهَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِخِبَائِهِ فَضُرِبَ فَلَمَّا صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْفَجْرَ نَظَرَ فَإِذَا الأَخْبِيَةُ فَقَالَ " آلْبِرَّ تُرِدْنَ " . فَأَمَرَ بِخِبَائِهِ فَقُوِّضَ وَتَرَكَ الاِعْتِكَافَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ حَتَّى اعْتَكَفَ فِي الْعَشْرِ الأَوَّلِ مِنْ شَوَّالٍ .
A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) decided to observe i'tikaf, he prayed in the morning and then went to the place of his i'tikaf, and he commanded that a tent should be pitched for him, and it was pitched. He (once) decided to observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. Zainab (the wife of the Holy Prophet) commanded that a tent should be pitched for her. It was pitched accordingly. And some other wives of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) commanded that tents should be pitched for them too. And they were pitched. When the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) offered the morning prayer, he looked and found (so many) tents. Thereupon he said:What is this virtue that these (ladies) have decided to acquire? He commanded his tent to be struck and abandoned i'tikaf in the month of Ramadan and postponed it to the first ten days of Shawwal
وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ سَوَّادٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ، وَهْبٍ أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي سَلَمَةُ بْنُ شَبِيبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْمُغِيرَةِ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَوْزَاعِيُّ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنِ ابْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، كُلُّ هَؤُلاَءِ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ، سَعِيدٍ عَنْ عَمْرَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، - رضى الله عنها - عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم . بِمَعْنَى حَدِيثِ أَبِي مُعَاوِيَةَ . وَفِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ وَعَمْرِو بْنِ الْحَارِثِ وَابْنِ إِسْحَاقَ ذِكْرُ عَائِشَةَ وَحَفْصَةَ وَزَيْنَبَ - رضى الله عنهن - أَنَّهُنَّ ضَرَبْنَ الأَخْبِيَةَ لِلاِعْتِكَافِ .
This hadith has been reported through another chain of transmitters, and there it is mentioned that. 'A'isha, Hafsa and Zainab (Allah be pleased with them) pitched the tents for i'tikaf
Research library, full list
551 to 575 of 889Amin Z (2026)MEDLINE-indexed journal, not yet read by usJournal of religion and health Religious Coping and Moral Injury among Muslim Clinicians: A Mixed-Methods Study of Post-Pandemic Burnout in Healthcare Settings.
This mixed-methods study examines the complex relationship between religious coping, moral injury, and burnout among Muslim healthcare professionals in the post-pandemic context. Quantitative data from 312 clinicians revealed that negative religious coping strongly correlated with both moral injury (r = 0.48, p < 0.001) and burnout (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), while positive religious coping served as a protective factor against burnout (r = - 0.34, p < 0.001) though showed limited impact on moral injury itself. Qualitative findings from 28 in-depth interviews identified four key themes: the dual nature of divine trust (Tawakkul) and predestination (Taqdir), the burden of sacred responsibility (Amanah), spiritual solace in ritual practice, and experiences of institutional and communal invalidation. The study demonstrates that Islamic religious frameworks function as both protective resources a…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Showkat H (2026)MEDLINE-indexed journal, not yet read by usJournal of religion and health Faith and Motherhood: Understanding Cultural Practices in Pregnancy and Childbirth Among Kashmiri Women.
Pregnancy and motherhood are deeply personal; however, socially constructed experiences are often shaped by faith and spiritual practices. Given this backdrop, this qualitative study explores the lived experiences of Kashmiri Muslim women regarding motherhood and spirituality during pregnancy and childbirth. Using a purposive sampling technique, twenty Kashmiri Muslim women were recruited, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Following Glaser and Strauss's grounded theory approach to data analysis, five key themes emerged: (a) traditional beliefs and practices, (b) belief in divine grace and spiritual strength for natural childbirth, (c) sacred embodiment: spiritual bonding with the unborn child, and (d) sacred resilience: spiritual coping and divine intercession. The findings provide an in-depth understanding of how religious beliefs and practices shape these wome…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Pilgrimage and the Therapeutic Processes of Spiritual Reintegration in Medjugorje: A Qualitative Exploratory Study.
While much sociological literature interprets contemporary pilgrimage through fragmentation, commodification, and post-secular hybridity, this study argues that pilgrimage continues to function as a process of spiritual healing and reintegration-a space where transcendence and everyday life are dynamically reconciled. Drawing on Bauman's typology of late-modern identities-the Player, the Tourist, the Vagabond, and the Stroller-reinterpreted through the Deming cycle (Plan-Do-Study-Act) and the Thomistic framework of the cardinal virtues, the article proposes pilgrimage as a therapeutic pathway toward moral, relational, and existential wholeness. Based on qualitative fieldwork in Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina), including interviews with pilgrims (n = 20) and local residents (n = 11), one focus group, and comparative ethnographic observations in Čapljina as a control setting, the analy…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Religiousness-happiness links in Türkiye and Jordan: the role of gratitude and envy.
Happiness is central to psychological well-being, yet less is known about the emotional processes that may help account for its association with religiousness in Muslim populations. The present study examined whether gratitude and two forms of envy (malicious and benign) were statistically associated with the relationship between religiousness and happiness among Muslim adults in Türkiye and Jordan. Participants were 812 Muslim adults who completed validated measures of religiousness, happiness, gratitude, and benign and malicious envy. Path analyses showed that religiousness was positively associated with happiness. In addition, higher religiousness was associated with greater gratitude and lower malicious envy, both of which were in turn associated with higher happiness. Benign envy was not significantly associated with either religiousness or happiness and did not show a significant i…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Halal and healthy: A qualitative study of British Muslim perspectives on meat consumption and plant-based diets.
Reducing meat consumption has the potential to improve both population and planetary health, however approaches to this have not been fully explored, particularly in the British Muslim community. British Muslims consume more meat than the average British person and face disproportionate diet related health risks. Although reducing meat consumption and eating more plant-based is known to reduce such health risks, there is limited understanding of British Muslim perceptions of this dietary transition. This study explored the barriers and facilitators towards British Muslims reducing meat consumption by increasing consumption of plant-based foods. The qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 15 British Muslims from Greater Manchester. Interviews were inductively analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and then deductively mapped to Michie et al.'s (2014) COM-B model. Tw…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Alamgir A, Zaro A, Lawabni R, Ahmad F, Webo J, Alamgir S, Saidi M, Nwanokwale N, Baig M, Abdelwahab M, Hassan A, Taylor A (2026)MEDLINE-indexed journal, not yet read by usJournal of religion and health Religious and Spiritual Behaviors Correlated with Mental and Physical Well-Being Among American Muslims within the Twin Cities.
Previous studies have demonstrated the significant association between religiosity and spirituality (R/S) with well-being. However, little is known if a similar association exists between the religiosity and mental well-being within Muslims in U.S.-based R/S health research, who remain comparatively underrepresented relative to Judeo-Christian samples. This study assesses whether these associations hold true in this population and if they can be explained by demographic factors alone. A total of 337 participants were enrolled from Muslim community centers in the Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota, metropolitan area (completion rate = 47.5%). Participants completed the Muslim Religiosity Scale (MRS) with intrinsic and behavioral subscales. They also completed physical and mental health questionnaires: Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire (HPLP II), General Anxiety Disorder 2 (GAD-…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Mental-Health Help-Seeking Among Muslims in the Liverpool City Region: A System-Informed Qualitative Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices.
Background: Muslims in United Kingdom (UK) minority contexts remain underrepresented in mental health research, despite evidence of unequal access and experience. In deprived and superdiverse settings such as the Liverpool City Region (LCR), culturally unsafe encounters, low service literacy and stigma may combine to delay help-seeking and widen inequities.
Aim: To explore knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to mental health among Muslims in the LCR, and to identify actionable system leverage points to improve access, engagement and culturally responsive care.
Methods: A qualitative study informed by social constructivism. Purposive sampling recruited Muslim adults (n = 11; age 18-59; 6 women/5 men) from diverse backgrounds (Yemeni, Somali, Egyptian, Algerian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi). Recruitment was community-enabled through mosques and community networks. Semi-structured i…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Religious Coping Strategies of Mothers Who Lost Their Children to Cancer in Türkiye: A Qualitative Study.
Perceptions of death can greatly impact the ability to cope with grief, making it either easier or unbearable. Research on the importance of religion and spirituality in the field of oncology, particularly among parents who have lost a child to cancer, is still in its emerging stage. This study aimed to describe the religious coping strategies of Muslim mothers who lost their children to cancer. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 mothers and analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings show that resignation to the 'Will of God', being more religious, and belief in life after death are common coping strategies used by mothers who are grieving the loss of their child. Mothers in pediatric oncology place great importance on religious coping strategies to manage their grief.
matched on Islam (mesh)
Attitude, Literacy, and Social Stigma Toward Mental Illness Among Islamic Religious Leaders (Imams) in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Background: More than 90% of people in Bangladesh are Muslims and a good portion of persons with mental illness visit religious leaders in the country. Attitude, literacy, and stigma toward mental illness affect the referral of persons with mental illness to mental health systems.
Objectives: We aimed to see attitudes, literacy, and social stigma toward mental illness among Islamic religious leaders in Bangladesh.
Methods: Data were collected for this cross-sectional study by a self-reporting semi-structured questionnaire from 358 Imams by convenience sampling from September 2024 to January 2025.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.7 years. The majority of the participants were aged 30 years or younger (54.5%), were married (68.4%), maulanas (59.8%), and 8.1% had a history of psychiatric illness. Mental illness was perceived as highly biological, influenced by sinful acts an…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Social determinants for understanding Muslims' intentions toward seeking mental health help based on the Theory of Planned Behavior.
Background: Many have found that minorities seek help for mental health problems less than the general population. Such findings are surprising considering that minorities experience higher rates of mental health issues compared to the general population.
Objectives: Employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study aimed to explore the intentions of Muslims living in California and Israel pertaining seeking mental health help (SMHH).
Method and design: A qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews guided by TPB principles was conducted with 78 participants. Thematic analysis was implemented to identify key themes.
Results: Five major themes were identified: 1 - Attitudes: Normalization of SMHH entangled with fear; causes and attributions of mental health disorders; perspectives on treatment. 2 - Subjective norms: Support groups; stigma and social norms. 3 - Percei…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Spiritual Well-Being, Religiosity, Quality of Life, Distress, Social Support, Depression, and Anxiety Among English- and Arabic-Speaking Muslim Americans With Advanced Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Objective: To learn about spiritual and psychosocial palliative care needs of Muslim Americans with advanced cancer.
Methods: A cross-sectional English/Arabic (patient preference) survey was conducted with 120 Muslim Americans with advanced cancer in New York City (2022-2023). Survey instruments included Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G, quality of life), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-2 subscales), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS-emotional, tangible, affectionate support, positive social interactions), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Wellbeing (FACIT-SP-spiritual wellbeing, Modified Duke Religious Index (DUREL-religious involvement), Distress Thermometer and Problems List.
Results: Most participants were from South Asia (30.8%), Middle East/North Africa (30.8%), and US (21.7%). On average, patients had high quality of life (FACT…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Religion, Faith, and Spirituality as Barriers and Facilitators to Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among People with HIV in Indonesia.
Indonesia is a country deeply rooted in religion, faith, and spirituality. These aspects significantly determine individuals' decision-making and behavior, including health care decisions. Given the suboptimal attainment of the HIV-cascade targets in the country, we conducted a study to explore the role of religion, faith, and spirituality on antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Our study involved individual interviews with 67 participants recruited from community health centers, public hospitals, and private clinics, predominantly Muslim, including 17 untreated people with HIV (ART-naïve), 30 people with HIV on treatment (ART-experienced), and 20 HIV service providers. Findings revealed that many individuals perceived HIV as a godly punishment related to individual failure (prior risk-prone behaviors), generating shame, guilt, and stigma. Perceiving religion as punitive and unforgiv…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Spiritual orientation and mental health: an SEM analysis of meaning and death attitudes as mediators in Turkish religious officials.
This study examines the relationships between spiritual orientation, meaning in life, attitudes towards death, and indicators of psychological health (depression, anxiety, and stress) among 348 Muslim religious officials in Turkey (28% female). Using structural equation modelling (SEM), the results showed that spiritual orientation directly and indirectly reduces psychological distress by enhancing personal meaning and fostering more accepting attitudes towards death. Results showed a moderate positive association between spiritual orientation and meaning in life, and weak but significant negative associations between meaning/attitudes towards death and psychological symptoms. As one of the first empirical studies to examine the mediating role of death attitudes in this population, the research highlights the theoretical relevance of existential frameworks such as logotherapy. The study …
matched on Islam (mesh)
Relationship Between Attachment and Fear of Death: The Mediating Role of Religious Coping.
In this research, the link between attachment, religious coping, and fear of death were examined in a sample of 224 Turkish Muslim adults. Data were gathered by Experiences in Close Relationship Scale, Religious Coping Scale, and Multidimensional Mortality Awareness Measure. Positive religious coping was adversely related to avoidant and anxious attachments. When compared to anxious attachment, which was positively related to both negative religious coping and fear of death, avoidant attachment was not correlated with any of these variables. Fear of death correlated positively with negative religious coping. Furthermore, the link between anxious attachment and fear of death was partially mediated by negative religious coping. Findings imply that negative religious coping is important in the relationship between fear of death and anxious attachment.
matched on Islam (mesh)
Education as a predictor of mental illness familiarity and attitudes in a Muslim community.
Background: Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in South Africa, where stigma, educational disparities, and cultural beliefs are critical barriers to care. Research has largely overlooked the South African Muslim community, particularly regarding how education influences mental illness familiarity and attitudes within a context where spiritual interpretations may uniquely shape stigma. This study investigated the association between level of education and mental illness familiarity and attitudes toward people with mental illness among South African Muslims.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited 119 South African Muslim adults (81.5% female; mean age = 30.92, SD = 13.01) using purposive snowball sampling, identifying initial participants through Muslim community groups and social media platforms. Eligibility was open to adults (18+) who identified as Musl…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Mental Health Experiences of Muslim American Women During the Perinatal Period.
Objective: To describe the mental health experiences of Muslim American women in the perinatal period.
Design: Qualitative descriptive.
Setting: Telephone interviews.
Participants: Eighteen Muslim American women who gave birth in the last 12 months.
Methods: We used a semistructured guide to conduct individual interviews and thematic network analysis to identify key themes across the interviews.
Results: Participants had a mean age of 32.5 years, 83% were White, and 17% were Asian. Educational attainment ranged from high school diploma to doctorate degree (83% completed a bachelor's degree or higher), and 83% reported U.S. citizenship. We identified four organizing themes: Need for Tailored Mental Health Support; Challenging Screening Experiences; Mental Health Experiences That Affect Maternal-Infant Bonding; and Faith, Culture, and Mental Health.
Conclusion: Findings underscore the need…
matched on Islam (mesh)
"Religious Coping Fosters Mental Health": Does Psychological Capital Enable Pakistani Engineers to Translate Religious Coping into Mental Wellbeing?
Turning toward religion to make sense of and cope with challenging circumstances is an area of interest for many recent researchers working on wellbeing and mental health. The present study extends this interest by assessing whether psychological capital explains the association between religious coping and mental wellbeing in Pakistani engineers. Psychological capital was assessed from four factors, namely optimism, resilience, hope, and self-efficacy. A sample of 501 Muslim engineers from Pakistan (M age = 33.41, SD = 6.37 years) was assessed on measures of religious coping, psychological capital, and mental wellbeing. Results from correlation and a multimediation model showed that positive religious coping was positively predictive of mental wellbeing and psychological capital; however, negative religious coping remained insignificant for mental wellbeing. Further analysis showed that…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Muslim Patients' Religious & Spiritual Resource Needs in US Hospitals: Findings from a National Survey.
Background: Healthcare provided without attending to patients' religious/spiritual needs contributes to inequities.
Objective: Assess Muslim American views on the importance and accessibility of religious/spiritual resources in hospitals.
Design/participants/main measures: A survey was distributed at community events and online to self-reported Muslim adults. It contained measures of religiosity, importance and availability of specific religious/spiritual resources, and conventional sociodemographic descriptors. Analyses utilized chi-squared tests and regression models to test associations between participant characteristics and views on the importance and availability of religious/spiritual resources in hospitals.
Key results: Of the 1281 respondents, many (68%; n = 875) were women, and South Asian (39%; n = 492) or Arab (37%; n = 469). Almost all (95%; n = 1203) noted it was important …
matched on Islam (mesh)
Islamic reasoning and the use of prohibited medicines among Muslim patients: a qualitative study.
Introduction: Muslim patients may avoid medicines containing ingredients prohibited by their faith (haram), such as alcohol, gelatine, or porcine derivatives. While Islamic law permits exceptions based on necessity (darura) or biotransformation (istihala), the way these principles influence medication adherence and shape patient-healthcare provider (HCP) interaction is underexplored.
Aim: To explore how Muslims apply Islamic reasoning to medication adherence decisions involving medicines containing haram ingredients.
Method: Thirteen ethnically diverse Muslim adults were purposively sampled for semi-structured interviews. A prior scoping review and mosque-based public and patient involvement (PPI) informed the interview guide. Interview data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA), with themes constructed inductively. Data interpretation was guided by the…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Muslim considerations in seeking mental health help in California and Israel: a qualitative approach.
Background: Existing evidence indicates that Muslim minorities underutilize mental health services despite a pressing need. Employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study seeks to explore considerations that influence mental health help-seeking by Muslims residing in California and Israel.
Methods: A qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews guided by the TPB principles was implemented with 78 Muslim participants. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes.
Results: Employing both deductive and inductive approaches, four major themes were identified: attitudes (advantages, disadvantages, and the influence of religiosity), subjective norms (the impact of significant others), perceived behavioral control (facilitators and challenges), and intentions toward seeking mental health support (influenced by gender, and prior experience). Common social and c…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Beaglehole B, Boden JM, Porter R, Sulaiman-Hill R, Ali F, Dean S, Adam Z, Tanveer S, Schluter PJ, Bell C (2025)MEDLINE-indexed journal, not yet read by usThe Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry1 citations Post-traumatic growth and religious coping in Muslims exposed to the March 15 terror attacks in New Zealand: A cross-sectional study.
Objective: On March 15, 2019, a white supremacist attacked two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand causing 51 deaths. The March 15 study was initiated to evaluate the mental health and wellbeing of the affected Muslim community. Given participants shared faith and reported growth through adversity, an evaluation of post-traumatic growth and religious coping was included.
Methods: The March 15 study assessed sociodemographic and clinical factors 11-32 months after the shootings. The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory and the Religious Coping Scale were administered. Descriptive statistics were used to report the presence of moderate-high post-traumatic growth. Bivariable analyses between Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory and potential predictor variables were undertaken. Measures that were significantly (p < 0.05) or marginally (p < 0.10) associated with post-traumatic growth were included in…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Pregnant Turkish Muslim Women's Perspectives and Experiences on Religion and Spirituality during Pregnancy.
The aim of this study is to determine the views and experiences of pregnant Muslim women about religion and spirituality during pregnancy. A descriptive, phenomenological design was used, and the study was conducted with 16 pregnant Muslim women living in Türkiye. The thematic analysis method was used. The main themes created in the study were pregnant women's motivation to have children, changes during pregnancy, faith and spirituality during pregnancy, support for the moment of birth, and motherhood. Pregnant women also need moral support in addition to routine practices and follow-ups during this difficult and distressing process. Religious practices provide psychological comfort for pregnant women in coping with the symptoms they experience and having a healthy birth and a healthy baby. Spiritual care should be given importance in raising health professionals and spirituality-based t…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Religious-Tailoring of Mental Health Services in Ontario: A Qualitative Study Exploring Service User and Provider Recommendations.
Aims: This study aimed to explore the experiences of Muslim mental health service users and providers in Ontario, Canada. With a focus on understanding mental health service barriers and facilitators, the research also sought to identify service user and provider recommendations and highlight the capacity for addressing gaps within service utilization and delivery by adopting religious tailoring with the Muslim community. This was carried out through a CBPAR approach to conduct diverse focus groups with Muslim service users and service providers across Ontario, Canada. The results indicate mistrust towards Eurocentric models, cultural stigma, and insufficient provision of religiously and culturally congruent care significantly hinder engagement. Nevertheless, religious tailoring-incorporating elements such as Imams, faith-based counseling, and community-based interventions-emerges as an …
matched on Islam (mesh)
Özbay A (2025)MEDLINE-indexed journal, not yet read by usJournal of religion and health Faith as Medicine: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study of Spirituality and Diabetes Self-Management in Turkish Adults.
Type 2 diabetes requires sustained lifestyle modifications that can be psychologically challenging. Spirituality may serve as an important coping resource, yet longitudinal evidence remains limited in Muslim populations where spiritual beliefs are deeply integrated into daily life and health practices. To examine longitudinal relationships between spirituality, religious coping, and diabetes self-management behaviors, quality of life, and glycemic control among Turkish adults with type 2 diabetes over 12 months, and to test theoretical pathways through which spirituality influences health outcomes. A prospective study of 240 Turkish adults with type 2 diabetes from endocrinology clinics in Istanbul and Bursa (January 2023-June 2024). Participants completed validated questionnaires measuring spirituality (FACIT-Sp), religious coping (Brief RCOPE), diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA), qu…
matched on Islam (mesh)
Acknowledging religion in cognitive behavioural therapy: The effect on alliance, treatment expectations and credibility in a video-vignette study.
Objectives: Developing mental health services which are accessible and acceptable to those from minority backgrounds continues to be a priority. In the United Kingdom, individuals who identify with a religion are underrepresented in Talking Therapies services as compared to those with no religion. This necessitates an understanding of how therapy is perceived. This online study explored the impact of explicitly acknowledging religion on anticipated alliance, treatment credibility and expectations of therapy in a non-clinical sample of British Muslims.
Methods: A video-vignette experimental design was used in which participants who self-reported as either high or low in religiosity were randomly allocated to receiving information about cognitive behavioural therapy either with or without an explicit mention of religion as a value in the therapeutic process.
Results: One hundred twenty-nin…
matched on Islam (mesh)