Posttraumatic Growth through Quran and Sunna: Islamic Perspective

There has been a worrying trend in Kashmir i.e. the growth of posttraumatic stress disorder, a mental condition which is affecting people for more than two decades. The continuous political uncertainty, insecurity from armed forces; natural calamities are the contributory factors.  And it is found that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is on the rise in Kashmir Valley after the worst ever floods hit the state few months back. Psychiatrists in Srinagar opine that there has been a remarkable increase in the number of patients who were suffering from “early symptoms” of PTSD.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition that develops after an individual expose through a terrifying ordeal that involves physical harm or the threat of a physical harm. The condition develops amongst the people who may have gone through some physical harm or might have witnessed their loved ones or the people around them being harmed. The trauma affects people in three ways: negative, neutral and positive. Under the positive category, the affected person somehow gets encouraged and takes up challenges. Their condition does not make any difference to them. Highly stressful events or major life traumas (such as serious illness, road traffic accident, death of a relative or loved one, unemployment, divorce, etc.) can lead to a variety of  behavioral, psychological and emotional negative outcomes to the disruptive and aversive conditions (Taku, Cann, Tedeschi, & Calhoun, 2009). The positive side of the trauma is that it also leads to growth. This phenomenon has been recognized as a distinct construct – posttraumatic growth (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996), implying ‘‘positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances’’ (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004, p. 1). Positive change has been noted in the literature by various authors and referred to in diverse terms – among others, benefit-finding (Affleck & Tennen, 1996), stress-related growth (Park, Cohen, & Murch, 1996), adversarial growth (Linley & Joseph, 2004), flourishing (Ryff & Singer, 1998), and thriving (O’Leary & Ickovics, 1995).  The main objective of the paper is to discuss the role of Islam with special reference to Qur’an and Sunna in posttraumatic Growth among violence victims in Kashmir valley India. Islamic practices such as prayer and listening Qur’an plays important role in coping with traumatic disorders. Islamic values and beliefs can be beneficial in overcoming traumatic life events and seeking posttraumatic Growth. The Holy Qur’an teaches us “The truly righteous — are those who endure with fortitude misfortune, hardship and peril. That is, who are patient in poverty and affliction, and in time of war” (2:178).