A Qur’anic Contextualization of Mental Health Dynamics Involved In Domestic Violence

Abstract

Abstract

Domestic violence is a highly prevalent issue across the world. Consequently, prevention-models are emerging to combat this menace. The present study, therefore, aims to establish the role of religion in preventing domestic violence by grooming mentally healthy individuals and to contextualize this prevention approach within scriptural framework of the Holy text of Muslims, Holy Qur’an. It draws on data collected through interviews with victims of domestic violence identified during a survey in Kashmir and the Holy text of Muslims, Quran. Interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative method (axial coding by Corbin and Strauss) in order to establish its causes. Once the causes were established, the Qur’anic text was thoroughly examined to identify the verses which address the causes of domestic violence. Thereafter each identified verse was contextualized within the prevention of domestic violence context. The thematic analysis of the data revealed the following categories of the causal factors of domestic violence, ‘perpetrator`s characteristics’, ‘victim`s characteristics’, ‘communication factors’, and ‘cultural factors’. These causal factors reveal a spectrum of personality and mental health issue among the perpetrators and victims of domestic violence respectively. Personality issues like elements of narcissism are found in perpetrators whereas elements of depression like learned helplessness are found in victims. Therefore, identification of the relevant Qur’anic verses and their contextualization within interpersonal relationships provided ways to address each of these causal factors of domestic violence.  The holy text of Qur’an provides for prevention of domestic violence across various levels, individual and societal. However, it emphasizes primary prevention of domestic violence through grooming well-balanced personalities with desirable social and interpersonal skills who are less likely to involve in any kind of interpersonal violence and in case of victims, Qur’an exhorts people to have a liberating set of cognitive beliefs, like a pro-active approach towards life which makes it less likely for the victims to land in depression. Therefore, the present study can help in designing interventions for prevention of domestic violence for Muslim population based on their holy text, Quran.