Islāmic Psychology: The Basics

✍ Scribed by G. Hussein Rassool

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2023
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 253
• Series: The Basics Series
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Islamic Psychology: The Basics is a jargon-free and accessible introduction that explores psychology from an Islāmic perspective, and provides a foundation level overview of the fundamental principles and practices of Islāmic psychology. The book introduces concepts, models, approaches, themes, and theories you need to know to study the mind, soul, and behaviour based on Islāmic scripture.

Offering an overview of Islāmic psychology and what Islāmic psychologists do, chapters address key topics including the history of the evolution of the science of the soul, and the psychology of human behaviour and experiences. Rassool examines the concepts of the Fitrah, the Nafs (Self), the Aql (Intellect), the Rūḥ (Soul) the Qalb (Heart), and the concept of Islāmic healing and spiritual interventions. Other themes include the Qur’an and psychology, models and approaches in Islāmic psychology, interpreting Islāmic psychology for modern times, and the contemporary scope of the practice of Islāmic psychology.

Outlining the challenges and solutions of the development of Islāmic psychology and potential future trends, and including features to aid learning, this is the ideal introductory book for students in Psychology, Islāmic Psychology, and Islāmic Studies, as well as professionals including counsellors and therapists, and anyone interested in psychology from an Islāmic perspective.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Islāmic monotheism as the foundation of Islāmic psychology
Introduction
Islāmic monotheism as the foundation of Islāmic psychology
Articles of faith in Islām
Sources and integration of knowledge
Islāmic worldview: Element and character
The Qurʾān, Sunnah, and Islāmic psychology
Knowledge in Islām
Paradigm of Islāmic psychology
Conclusion
Further readings
2. Evolution of the science of the soul: Historical perspective
Introduction
Context, significant events, and developments
The philosophers' perspective
The physicians' perspective
The theologians' perspective
Conclusion
Further reading
3. What is Islāmic psychology?
Introduction
Context of development of Islāmic psychology
Psychology: Definition and context
What is Islāmic psychology?
Difference between psychology and Islāmic psychology
Kinds of Islāmic psychology
Approaches in Islāmic psychology
New concept, new danger!
Conclusion
Further reading
4. Role, competence, and scope of practice of the Islāmic psychotherapist
Introduction
Entry route into psychology and clinical psychology
Undergraduate course in integrated Islāmic psychology
How to become an Islāmic psychotherapist or counsellor
University-accredited courses in Islāmic psychology and psychotherapy
Role of the Islāmic psychotherapist or counsellor
Characteristics of an Islāmic psychotherapist
Proposed competence of the Islāmic psychotherapist and counsellor
Four stages of the competence model
Conclusion
5. The Fitrah: The spiritual nature of human behaviour
Introduction
Explanations and definitions of Fitrah
Evidence of the existence of the Fitrah
Scholars' understanding of the Fitrah
Characteristics of Fitrah
Trials, tribulations, alienation, and the Fitrah
The corruption of the Fitrah
Conclusion: Role of the Fitrah
Further reading
6. The Inner World of a Human Being (Part 1): The Nafs and Rûh
Introduction
Nafs (self)
Al-Ghazālī's concept of Nafs
Types of nafs
Nafs al-Ammara Bissu' (the Nafs that urges evil)
Nafs al-Lawwama (the Nafs that blames)
Nafs al-Mutmàinnah (the Nafs at peace)
Disciplining the Nafs
The Rûh (spirit): An introduction
Qurʾānic evidence: Range of meanings for man's soul
Nafs and Rûh
Nafs or Rûh: Sleep, birth, and death
Conclusion
Further reading
7. The Inner World of a Human Being (Part 2): The Qalb and 'Aql
Introduction
Ibn Al-Qayyim's types of hearts
The first: The healthy or sound heart
The second: The dead heart
The third: The diseased heart
Qurʾānic and Hādīth views of the types of heart
Trials and tribulations of the heart
'Aql (Intellect): An introduction
Qurʾān and 'Aql
Anatomical seat of 'Aql
Interrelationship between the Qalb, 'Aql, and Nafs
Conclusion
Further readings
8. Islāmic healing
Introduction
Healing from the Qurʾān
Importance of health in Islām
Spirituality and health
Islāmic healing
Prevention of evil eye and Jinn possession
Healing interventions: Repair and restoration
Remembrance of Allāh
Prayer as a healing strategy
Making supplications (Du'as)
Ruqyah
Conclusion
Further readings
9. Research methodology in Islāmic psychology
Introduction
Knowledge integration and integrated research
Overview of scientific method
Methods of research
Research methodology in traditional Islāmic scholarship
Steps of undertaking research in Islāmic psychology
Competence and preparation for research
Knowing research fields and mastering them
Benefits of Muslim scholarly research for humanity
Proper structuring, mapping, and classification of the research field
Gathering information with awareness and forethought
Thoroughly analysing the intellectual material, its ordering, and framework
Scholarly integrity in relating ideas
Proper understanding of the texts and specifying their meanings
Resorting to specialists
Impartial and honest criticism
The aims of research writing in Islāmic studies
Towards an integrated methodology of research in Islāmic psychology
Conclusion
Further reading
References
Index