Islam and Healing from Trauma in the Azeri Region of Iran

Abstract

Throughout their lives, people face many events – large and small, pleasant and unpleasant – such as illness, marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or loss of a job. These can also include the traumatic experience of the death of a family member or a loved one. Relatives and friends have a vital role to play in mourning through understanding the situation of survivors, helping them cope with trauma, relieving their sorrow, and returning them to God. Muslims, especially Iranians, have specific mourning rituals, under the influence of Islam, to console survivors in times of disappointment and loneliness. Most of these common traditional rituals are performed in groups. In the Qur'an and the narrations, many chapters refer to death and invite believers to heal the trauma of survivors and help them to trust in God. This article focuses on the Azeri regions of Iran to introduce the traditional practices of Iranian Muslims and explain how they help support and heal survivors and mourners after the death of a loved one.