Understanding The Dilemma of Religious Epistemology in the Islamic Psychology

Objectives: This study explores the challenges faced by Muslim psychologists especially those with Islamic Studies background engaged in psychological research, as grasped by the authors. It examines the struggle to uphold Islamic principles while adapting to global secular systems. Methods: A qualitative autoethnographic methodology is employed, utilizing Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) to explore the researcher’s personal and professional experiences. Abductive reasoning further contextualizes these reflections within broader scholarly frameworks. Results: The findings indicate that prolonged exposure to unresolved polarizing demands can lead to moral injury and identity crises, as wounded by very strained emotional strings, bound by enforced constraints that cannot be altered until systemic change occurs. Such unresolved tension exacerbates psychological struggles, leading to emotional fatigue, cognitive dissonance, and spiritual distress from emotion-cognition interdependence in self-regulation between secular ideologies and uncompromising Islamic beliefs. Conclusion: Thus, we need to advocate Islamic Psychology ongoing discourse on religious identity crisis in professional environments via metacognitive awareness strategies to align with Psychology related professions without compromising faith – plus, extending similar support to the Muslim population they serve.