All persons have spiritual and religious needs. The Islamic Center currently offers Muslims spiritual care services known as chaplaincy to help patients, family members and hospital staff address both spiritual and religious needs.
What do we mean by “spiritual needs”?
Spiritual needs and concerns usually surface during illness when a patient begins reflecting and requires answers to questions such as:
- Why is this happening? Why is it happening to me?
- What does it all mean?
- How do I make sense of everything?
- How do I feel about changes in my life?
- What gives me comfort and hope?
- What do I call “good” in my life? What do I call “bad”?
- What am I grateful for?
- What do I trust? Who do I trust?
- Who supports me, no matter what?
- What or who — beyond myself — do I believe is important in my life?
All of these questions relate to spiritual needs, concerns and resources. All people ask these questions during their lives, especially when they or someone they love are sick or in crisis.
Some people find meaning, comfort, hope, goodness and community through their religious practice, beliefs and/or community of faith. Some people do not. Regardless of whether religious faith is a part of a person’s life, spiritual concerns, resources and needs can still be very important, especially during hospitalization.
What do we mean by “spiritual resources”?
Spiritual resources are practices, beliefs, objects and/or relationships that people often turn to for help in times of crisis or concern.
Some spiritual resources include:
- Supplication or Dua
- Prayer
- Meditation
- Family and friends
- Religious leader / Imam
- Supportive communities
- Islamic Center / Masjid, other support groups
- Holy Qur’an
- Inspirational writings
- Poetry, Devotional Materials, Prayer Books
- Religion items, such as beads, prayer rug, etc
These resources can help people return to a sense of balance when their lives have been turned upside down. They can help people sort out the “big” questions in order to find meaning, comfort, hope, goodness and community in the midst of a crisis.
What do spiritual needs and resources have to do with being in the hospital?
In addition to medical attention and intervention, numerous studies show a person’s health and well-being benefits when his or her spiritual needs are addressed. Some benefits may include shorter hospital stay, better pain management, faster healing, less stress and improved well-being
How can I receive Muslim Spiritual Care Services?
If you would like to talk with someone about your spiritual needs or resources, or simply connect with someone who is ready to listen to your concerns with empathy and support, please call the Islamic Center at (559) 297-9535. If you are in the hospital, ask the nurse of hospital chaplain to contact our office.
You may call our office at (559) 297-9535, Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.