Contextualizing Islamic Counselling Practice: A Critical Reflection of the Integrated Grounded Model for the Ulama of Tamale

This paper critically explores the contextualization of Islamic counselling practices within the socio-religious landscape of Tamale, Ghana. It proposes an integrated grounded model that incorporates secular counselling with Islamic ethics and indigenous culture, tailored for the Ulama -Islamic scholar, who often serve as informal counsellors in Muslim communities. It is envisaged that the model would serve as a guide for the Ulama to practice counselling safely and professionally. Drawing on both Islamic psychological principles, secular counselling principles and local traditions, the study reflects on various aspects of conventional Western counselling frameworks in addressing the unique spiritual and communal needs of Tamale Muslim population. The proposed model further integrates Qur’an ethics, prophetic traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems to enhance the efficacy and authenticity of counselling interventions. Through case analysis and critical reflection, the paper underscores the importance of empowering the Ulama with structured, context-sensitive tools that align with both Islamic epistemology and the lived realities of their communities.

Islamic Counselling, Integrated Grounded Islamic Counselling Model

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