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Therapy Guide

Introduction

Have you ever asked yourself, “Should I go to therapy?” If so, do you even know where to start? What questions should you ask when interviewing therapists? How do you know if it is a good fit? Once you start, how do you know if it is working? This multi-part FYI Therapy Guide will help you find answers to those important questions! To make things easier for you, we’ve split this guide into 3 sections:

1) The Importance of Therapy – where we go into misconceptions, signs that might mean that therapy would be good for you, benefits, and a quick reminder about how taking care of your mental health is part of our faith!

2) Searching for a Therapist – where we take a look at the differences between different mental health professionals, what to look for, consider, and expect when making a decision about a therapist to see, and a list of questions to ask when interviewing

3) What to Expect – where we talk about what therapy might look like, what makes it a good fit, red flags to watch out for, and how you know if it is even working for you.

This resource is meant as a guide to help you begin your journey or along the way as a reference. Please feel free to pass these infographics along to friends and family and check them out as more shareable social posts as well!

Zakat eligibility of The FYI

The Family & Youth Institute, or The FYI, is a well-known Muslim organization in the United States. It works to promote mental health and wellness by strengthening and empowering individuals, families, and communities through research and education. It has been working for many years to bring Islamic perspectives to understanding and promoting mental health in our communities.

It is dedicated to serving and supporting Muslims – safeguarding our deen, our families, and our future generations. Therefore, the work of The FYI comes in the category of ‘fi sabeelillah’ or the Path of Allah, within the eight categories where Zakat money can be used.

Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah, And Allah, is Knowing and Wise.”
(Al-Tawbah 9:60)

According to scholars who widen the meaning of fee sabeelillah to include any activities that promote Islamic growth, The FYI is indeed eligible to receive part of the Zakat funds for its programs and services. I urge Muslims in America to support this organization through their donations, general charity, and through their Zakat. I ask Allah swt to strengthen and guide The FYI to continue its good work in supporting Muslims.

Shaikh Ali Suleiman Ali, PhD

About Shaikh Ali

Sh. Ali Suleiman Ali was born in Ghana where he spent his childhood studying with various Muslim scholars. He then moved to Saudi Arabia and enrolled in the Islamic University of Madina.  He graduated with a degree in both Arabic and Islamic Studies. Dr. Ali went on to complete his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Sh. Ali serves on the Advisory Council of The Family & Youth Institute. He is the Senior Imam and Director of the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs in Canton, Michigan. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Muslim Family Services in Detroit and is a council member of the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA). He is also a member of the North American Imams Federation (NAIF) and the Association of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA).