Reflections on Muslim Chaplaincy & Healthcare

About Me Student Support Officer in Religious Studies Dept. at Cardiff University An ‘official’ Muslim for the past 9 years, but ‘unofficially’ for roughly 15 years Currently training as a Muslim Chaplain at the Islamic Foundation in Leicester Currently doing a chaplaincy placement at UWIC My focus is thus mostly on educational chaplaincy and related issues I have a strong interest in the provision of spiritual care in general Personal Observations Happy to answer questions

Muslim Chaplaincy? As the term chaplain comes from the Christian tradition Muslim ‘chaplaincy’ might be thought somewhat contradictory Certainly a reaction from some Muslims, largely because the word itself is unfamiliar But, the essence of chaplaincy is very much a part of the Islamic tradition Essence of Chaplaincy? Working definitions… Helping others to build relationships, with you, with each other and ultimately with God

What is Islam? Comes from the root salaam, meaning ‘peace’ and ‘submission’ (cf. Hebrew shalom) In a religious sense, refers to submission to God’s will A Muslim is someone who submits to God’s will Testament of Faith (shahadah) ‘Nothing has the right to be worshipped but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God’ As revealed in the Quran and the sayings of Muhammad Thus, in terms of spiritual care, Islamic resources drawn from the Quran and Prophetic sayings

Islamic Spirituality? Spirituality very difficult to define ‘Spirituality has therefore become a slippery concept within Western culture’ (John Swinton) Islamic spirituality bound up with Islam’s understanding of life’s purpose Purpose of life is to serve/worship God ‘And I did not create the Jinn and Humankind except that they should worship/serve Me’ (51:56) Because God, in the Islamic understanding, is free of all need, this service/worship is for our benefit That is, it should be making a difference to people’s lives

Islamic Resources for Chaplaincy This worship/service takes many forms The five pillars of Islam (prayer and pilgrimage, etc) are all acts of worship/service Spiritual Excellence (Ihsan) Muhammad (pece be upon him) said: ‘It is to serve Allah as though you behold Him; and if you don’t behold him, (know that) He surely sees you’. Some key areas include… Repairing relationships ‘The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear God that you may receive mercy’ (49:10)

Islamic Resources for Chaplaincy Listening and giving advice Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‘This religion is good advice’ Offering hope ‘Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful’ (39:53) Emphasising the forgiving nature of God And He is the Forgiving, the Affectionate’ (85:14) Sharing prayers of hope And say, ‘My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of the merciful’ (23:118)

Islamic Resources for Chaplaincy Offering consolation ‘Whoever consoles you in distress is your brother’ (attributed to Ali) Encouraging Repentance Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‘God is happier about the repentance of one His servants than one of you would be about finding your camel which had strayed away from you in the middle of the desert’. ‘A person weeping out of fear of God is a delight to the eye’ (attributed to Ali)

Islamic Resources for Chaplaincy Visiting the sick Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‘…God (the Glorified and Exalted) will say on Judgement Day: ‘O son of Adam! I fell ill yet you did not visit Me’. To this the bewildered person will reply: ‘O my Lord! You are the Master of the entire universe. How could I call on You?’ God will tell him: ‘One of my servants fell ill but you did not visit him. Had you called on him, you would have found Me beside him’.

The Needs of Muslim Patients As with other patients, Muslims have a wide range of needs Can, perhaps, be divided into 2 areas: ‘religious’ and ‘spiritual’ These are not mutually exclusive but do highlight some important areas ‘Religious’ needs Provision of halal food This may be particularly important, especially where a Muslim patient does not appear to be eating well Perhaps the patient is unaware of halal food offerings Prayer and ablution facilities Availability of Quran Visit by family members and/or local Imam End of life practices/observances

The Needs of Muslim Patients ‘Spiritual’ needs Opportunities to explore the meaning of sickness/ill health A need to talk through meanings of life Anxiety and fear regarding sickness Anxieties regarding family Understanding God’s mercy, even in trying times Overcoming a sense of isolation and disempowerment