Muslims follow their Islamic traditions as they integrate into the US society. Islamic beliefs are reflected in everyday life, and care is viewed within a holistic context. A lack of understanding of Muslims and their cultural and religious traditions contributes to potential conflicts in health care. The five concepts of Islamic beliefs from the religious texts of the Qur'an, Sunnah, and Hadith will be discussed followed by the implication of these beliefs for clinical practice. Knowledge of these Islamic cultural and religious beliefs will help reduce potential culture care conflicts among Asian-Islamic immigrant women in US hospitals. © 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

culture beliefs Women Immigrant Eastern Culture care Asian-Islamic Health professionals Muslims Religion Hospitals

Communication Barriers hospitalization psychological aspect Islam human Health Behavior communication disorder Asia ethnology religion United States Humans female Review cultural factor women's health migration patient attitude Hospitals Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care Cultural Characteristics hospital Nurse-Patient Relations Religion and Medicine nurse patient relationship