A National Survey of Islamic Psychology Content in Psychology Programs in Pakistan

Abstract

This research explores the curriculum of various psychology programs offered in different universities across Pakistan for inclusion of Islamic content in the curriculum. The curriculum management authorities, like Deans, Directors, Head of Psychology Departments and Program Incharges were asked about the inclusion of Islamic studies and guidelines in the psychology courses taught at public and private sector universities in Pakistan. The qualitative analysis is suggesting that out of a sample of 24 universities, only 33% had courses on Islamic psychology and 67% did not offer any course or module on Islamic or Muslim psychology. The findings also include that 29% of the course content is focused on history of Muslim psychology and famous Arab scholars and is offered in undergraduate programs. The implications are first to explore and report existing Islamic content in Psychology programs. Second to promote the significance of inclusion of content related to Islamic psychology, Islamic and religious based therapies and trainings based on Quran and Sunnah in the curriculum. This research is an endeavor to highlight how the curriculum of various university programs are far behind and lacking in recent innovations in religion-based techniques of therapy, treatment and counseling based on Islamic principles.