#Committed action act metaphor how to

The Holy Qur’an suggests being mindful through the practice of prayer, especially in difficult situations. This is also an example of a values/process-based approach rather than a goal-oriented approach. If the Day of Judgment erupts while you are planting a new tree, carry on and plant it” (Pekcan, 2013). The standpoint of Islam encourages humans to take perspective on their thoughts and thinking behaviors and suggests that they take actions in accordance with a meaningful life, rather than suggesting new thinking styles.Īccording to Islam, Allah is creating every moment, and therefore if humans want to be successful in living fully and experiencing the meaning of life, they must be aware of every moment.īeing in the present moment and acting toward values, without attachment to the past and the future, is a fundamental principle in Islam. Waswasa also functions as labeling these thoughts, a kind of defusion.Īccording to The Holy Qur’an, humans need to behave in accordance with their values, rather than with respect to their own thinking processes, which are always prone to deficits.īut perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. Besides a defusion emphasis, there is also reference to awareness of the closeness of Allah and humans, which will be a timeless reminder of life’s meaning and togetherness. The Holy Qur’an uses perspective (“self/ nafs” and “us”) to separate waswasa content from humans.

In The Holy Qur’an, Allah uses a specific term for negative thought content called waswasa (repeated, unfounded doubts, fears), which is especially about faith.Īnd We have already created man and know what his self (nafs) whispers (waswasa) to him, and We are closer to him than life vein” (Qaf #16). This strategy can be useful in promoting ACT’s acceptance and willingness processes, especially with Muslim clients. Adherents are always advised to focus on long-term consequences rather than immediate positive consequences. Islam suggests being in the moment ( dhikr) while keeping with a behavioral pattern of values-based living rather than avoidance.

#Committed action act metaphor how to

Islam also addresses the problem of behavioral excess and following appetites even when they conflict with values by turning adherents’ attention to long-term consequences and suggesting actions on how to remain on this path. In the case of preoccupation with short-term pleasures, ACT proposes that people build a rich and meaningful life by using acceptance to widen repertoires linked to long-term values. The Holy Qur’an emphasizes the importance of taking action even in the face of the urge to avoid pain. Giving up a committed action related to values as a result of an aversive stimulus is frowned upon in Islam. Muslims are asked to be patient and to persist in their commitments when encountering an aversive situation. The Holy Qur’an suggests Muslims to dhikr, meaning remembrance of Allah, and to move toward values based on what the situation requires. Sabr involves faith and behaving in accordance with a meaningful life, rather than struggling with or retreating away from an aversive situation or stimulus. Islam emphasizes a stance called sabr, which means patience, endurance, and self-restraint when faced with an aversive stimulus.

The following has been adapted from their book. Fatih Yavuz, MD highlights the intersections between the six processes in ACT’s psychological flexibility model and Islam.

In the edited volume ACT for Clergy and Pastoral Counselors: using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Bridge Psychological and Spiritual Care, chapter author K. Islam and ACT share a great deal of common ground, both conceptually and practically. For many clients, one of the most important areas of values-based life is religious belief systems. Acceptance and commitment therapy, however, has a marked focus on values-based living, which aims to increase functionality by using values as a compass to do so. This emphasis can limit the attention that’s paid to experiences that focus on growth and prosperity, such as a client’s culture and faith. Most cognitive behavioral therapy approaches focus on aversive symptoms and problematic behaviors.