Integration of Islamic Spirituality into Contemporary Mental Health Models: A Critique and Synthesis of Western Psychology

Abstract

Mental health has become a major global concern, requiring comprehensive approaches that address biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. Contemporary Western psychology has developed various models, including the biopsychosocial model, positive psychology, and evidence-based psychological interventions. However, spirituality is often positioned as a complementary factor rather than a foundational dimension of mental health. This study aims to critically examine contemporary mental health models in Western psychology and synthesize them with Islamic spirituality to develop a more holistic conceptual framework. This study employs a library research approach with conceptual analysis. Data were obtained from scholarly literature on mental health, clinical psychology, positive psychology, psychology of religion, Islamic psychology, and Islamic spirituality, as well as relevant Islamic sources. Data were analyzed through content analysis and thematic synthesis. The findings indicate that Islamic spirituality, centered on tawhid, worship, dhikr, supplication, tawakkul, gratitude, patience, and tazkiyat al-nafs, can serve as an epistemological foundation for integrating biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of mental health. The proposed model emphasizes that mental health involves not only psychological well-being and adaptive functioning but also meaning in life, inner tranquility, moral orientation, and spiritual connectedness. The study contributes a conceptual synthesis between Western and Islamic psychology and recommends empirical validation across diverse social and cultural contexts.