Maristans and Islamic Psychology : A Historical Model for Modern Implementation

Maristans and Islamic Psychology outlines how the novel methods, tools, and approaches for treating psychological illnesses developed in the maristans (hospitals) of the Muslim world can be utilised today in formulating a practical implementation of Islamic psychology (IP). As a trademark of the Islamic Civilisation, the maristans were institutions of healing that boasted the world’s first treatment centres for treating psychological illnesses. They also served as the centres where theoretical concepts developed by early Muslim scholars—physicians, theologians, and philosophers—who contributed to the creation of IP were translated into practical, clinical applications.

A detailed examination of the treatment modalities within these historical treatment centres provides a promising model for creating a holistic approach to psychological healing that is grounded in Islamic heritage. This text completes such an examination, highlighting the practical IP treatment methods in fourteen maristans geographically spread throughout the Muslim world in order to bridge this centuries-long model of psychological care to the modern context.

As part of the Islamic Psychology and Psychotherapy Focus series, this book provides a foundation for mental health professionals who either directly deliver mental health services or are involved in creating theories, institutions, or spaces of IP and psychotherapeautic practices.