The Gift of Self-Reflection (Muhasabah)
"And in your own selves—do you not then reflect?"
— Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:21)
In the sacred pauses between visits—when the patient’s story lingers and the noise of the ward
quiets—I'm drawn to this Qur'anic reminder:
This verse invites me to turn inward, to examine not only what I’ve done but how I’ve done it—
my presence, my intention, my emotional resonance. Self-reflection in Islam (muhasabah) is not
a self-critical act, but a sacred one—an opportunity to recalibrate my heart in light of Divine
awareness.
In the CPE journey, I have come to see that self-reflection is both my mirror and my mercy.
Sometimes, I recognize where I was fully present—gentle, grounded, and attuned. Other times, I
notice the moments when I was distracted, reactive, or subtly driven by ego. I ask myself: Did I
truly witness this person with sincerity, or was I caught in my own internal script?
The Prophet ﷺsaid, “Reflect on yourself before you are brought to account.” This wisdom
reminds me that every clinical encounter is not only a service to the patient, but also a call to
refine my soul.
Spiritual care, from an Islamic perspective, is not only about offering comfort—it's about
aligning my presence with Divine qualities: rahmah (mercy), sabr (patience), sidq
(truthfulness). And I cannot do that without examining the state of my own soul.
As I grow in this work, I recognize that patients are not only recipients of care—they are often
mirrors, revealing what I need to see in myself. Their pain calls me to compassion. Their silence
reveals my discomfort. Their hope renews my own. And in these moments, I realize: Allah is
using them to teach me—about humility, about presence, and about the sacredness of listening.
For me, this verse has become a quiet companion during CPE. It invites me to turn inward after
every encounter—not to judge myself, but to gently ask: How did I show up? Where was I
grounded in intention, and where was I unsettled?
Self-reflection in our formation is not just a technical skill—it is a spiritual discipline. It is how
we grow into our pastoral identity, refine our intentions, and align our presence with the sacred
values we each carry—whether rooted in faith, ethics, or humanism.
As spiritual care interns, we are not just here to learn how to support others; we are here to be
transformed. The people we serve often become mirrors—reflecting to us our strengths, blind
spots, fears, and hopes. In the patient’s silence, we might meet our own discomfort. In their
suffering, we might confront our own unresolved grief. But in these moments of reflection, we
also discover the heart of this vocation.
Reflection Questions
1. In your most recent visit, where were you most aware of yourself?
Did anything in the patient’s experience mirror something in your own life?
2. What internal reaction (emotional, spiritual, or somatic) did you have during your visit?
How do you typically process what lingers after a patient interaction?
3. Are there spiritual or philosophical teachings (from your tradition or worldview) that
support your process of reflection? What wisdom anchors you as you navigate
uncertainty, silence, or discomfort?
4. In what ways is this CPE journey shaping how you see yourself—not just as a caregiver,
but as a person? Where do you notice growth—and where do you feel you are still being
stretched?
