INTEGRATING QUR’ANIC NARRATIVES INTO CONTEMPORARY NARRATIVE THERAPY: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPLORATION OF SCRIPTURAL STORYTELLING, PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALING, AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE THERAPEUTIC PRACTICES

Abstract

This study examines the integration of Qur’anic narratives into contemporary Narrative Therapy, emphasizing their potential as therapeutic instruments for psychological healing, identity reconstruction, and resilience-building. Narrative Therapy, grounded in the transformative power of storytelling, seeks to help individuals reframe experiences of suffering and develop empowering personal narratives. Within this context, Qur’anic stories offer a unique contribution by uniting moral and spiritual guidance with psychological depth, thereby expanding the therapeutic dimensions of narrative-based interventions. Through a comparative analysis, the paper explores selected Qur’anic narratives—particularly those of Prophet Yusuf, Prophet Ayyub, and Prophet Musa—highlighting their relevance in addressing themes of betrayal, patience, endurance, and empowerment. These narratives parallel key techniques of Narrative Therapy while introducing a transcendent, faith-centered perspective often absent in conventional therapeutic models. The interdisciplinary approach adopted here bridges Islamic scripture and modern psychology, demonstrating how Qur’anic storytelling can enrich therapeutic practices within culturally and religiously sensitive contexts. Ultimately, the findings underscore the universal significance of scripture-based narratives in fostering psychological well-being and open new avenues for integrating faith traditions into contemporary mental health discourse.