Exploring School Counselors' Knowledge of Islamic Counseling

This study aims to explore the knowledge of Muslim school counselors regarding Islamic counseling. A qualitative research design based on a multiple case study method was employed, with a sample of 19 Muslim counselors selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that counselors possess clear knowledge about Islamic counseling, encompassing two main themes: "The counseling process based on human nature and oriented towards the hereafter" and "Modification of Western counseling." Within the first theme, counselors emphasize the importance of understanding human nature and the concepts of al-Nafs, al-Qalb, al-Aql, and al-Ruh. They adhere to the goal of guiding individuals back to their innate nature (fitrah) and utilizing the Quran and Sunnah as the primary sources of guidance. Moreover, counselors perceive their role as preachers who guide clients in maintaining religious practices and noble character. The second theme illustrates counselors' integration of Islamic elements into Western counseling processes, where Western theories serve as the framework while Islamic elements such as Quranic verses, hadith, and moral values are incorporated as complementary components. This study provides an overview of counselors' awareness of the importance of applying Islamic values in counseling sessions and their efforts to infuse Islamic elements into the counseling process to align with clients' needs. However, counselors must continually enhance their knowledge and skills in Islamic counseling through ongoing training and education, as well as the development of more comprehensive Islamic counseling models and modules to further strengthen their roles.