Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Qur’an and the Sunnah: An Integrative Model for Treating Suicidal Cases

The number of deaths caused by suicide has increased at a remarkable rate in recent years in Islamic countries in general and in Jordan in particular. Because Islam forbids suicide and decrees a hellish fate for those who commit suicide, it is appropriate to frame religious beliefs that stem from the Islamic faith, such as “And [I have] shown them the two ways of right and wrong (Qur’an, 90:10),” in parallel with mental beliefs, “rational or irrational beliefs,” and scientific findings regarding the treatment of suicidal ideation and suicide risk reduction. The prohibition of suicide is rooted in the Islamic religion according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. This study combines this prohibition with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), represented by the theory of rational emotional and cognitive behavioral therapy and the disputing of irrational thoughts, to develop a conceptual framework that combines religious beliefs and rational beliefs and includes ideas of rationality and irrationality. The results reveal that causes of suicide, including irrational thoughts, negative thinking, and various cognitive distortions (e.g., exaggeration, musts, awfulization, and the intolerance of frustration), are mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The most important treatment method for disputing irrational thoughts is stated in the Qur’anic and Prophetic hadiths. This study provides a conceptual basis and reference framework for psychotherapists to protect those at risk of suicide based on the integration of religious therapy and CBT, which enhances the effectiveness of psychological treatment.