Islāmic Psychology: The Basics

253 Pages·2023·5.148 MB·English

by  G. Hussein Rassool

ISLĀMIC PSYCHOLOGY
THE BASICS
Islāmic 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 Rū ḥ (Soul), the Qalb (Heart) as well
as 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.
Because it outlines the challenges of and solutions for the development
of Islāmic psychology and potential future trends, and it includes 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, therapists, and anyone interested in
psychology from an Islāmic perspective.
Dr. G. Hussein Rassool is a Professor of Islāmic Psychology and
Consultant at the Riphah Institute of Clinical and Professional
Psychology/Centre for Islāmic Psychology; Director of Studies,
Department of Islāmic Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling,
Al Balagh Academy; and Chair of Al Balagh Institute of Islāmic
Psychology Research.
The Basics
The Basics is a highly successful series of accessible guidebooks which
provide an overview of the fundamental principles of a subject area in a
jargon-free and undaunting format.
Intended for students approaching a subject for the first time, the books
both introduce the essentials of a subject and provide an ideal springboard
for further study. With over 50 titles spanning subjects from artificial in-
telligence (AI) to women’s studies, The Basics are an ideal starting point for
students seeking to understand a subject area.
Each text comes with recommendations for further study and gradually
introduces the complexities and nuances within a subject.
FOLKLORE
Simon J. Bronner
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
Sandie Taylor
GERONTOLOGY
Jenny R. Sasser and Harry R. Moody
GENDER (second edition)
Hilary Lips
HUMAN THINKING
S. Ian Robertson
JAPAN
Christopher P. Hood
ISLĀMIC PSYCHOLOGY
THE BASICS
G. Hussein Rassool
Cover image: Getty Images
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 G. Hussein Rassool
The right of G. Hussein Rassool to be identified as author of this work has been asserted
in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in
any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to
infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-032-32124-0 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-32123-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-31295-6 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003312956
Typeset in Bembo
by MPS Limited, Dehradun
Dedicated to Idrees Khattab ibn Adam Ibn Hussein Ibn
Hassim Ibn Sahaduth Ibn Rosool Ibn Olee Al Mauritiusy,
Isra Oya, Asiyah Maryam, Adam Ali Hussein, Nabila
Akhrif, Nusaybah Burke, Musa Burke, Reshad Hassan,
Yasmin Soraya, BeeBee Mariam, Bibi Safian, Hassim,
Dr. Najmul Hussein, and Mohammed Ali.
Abu Hurayrah reported the Prophet Muhammad ( ) as
saying: “If anyone pursues a path in search of knowledge, Allāh
will thereby make easy for him a path to paradise; and he who is
made slow by his actions will not be speeded by his genealogy.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud)

CONTENTS
Preface ix
Acknowledgements xi
1 Islāmic monotheism as the foundation of Islāmic
psychology 1
2 Evolution of the science of the soul: Historical
perspective 23
3 What is Islāmic psychology? 44
4 Role, competence, and scope of practice of
the Islāmic psychotherapist 66
5 The Fitrah: The spiritual nature of human
behaviour 98
6 The inner world of a human being (Part 1):
The Nafs and Rûh 118
7 The inner world of a human being (Part 2):
The Qalb and ‘Aql 138
viii
CONTENTS
8 Islāmic healing 155
9 Research methodology in Islāmic psychology 174
References 200
Index 221
PREFACE
Islāmic Psychology: The Basics is the perfect companion for those
wishing to develop their understanding of the basic principles of
Islāmic psychology, the mesmerising science of the soul, and human
behaviours. The book will introduce concepts, models, approaches,
themes, and theories you need to know to understand the study of
mind, soul, and behaviours from an Islāmic perspective.
The book offers an overview of what Islāmic psychology is and
what Islāmic psychologists do. Chapters are dedicated to topics that
attempt to address some themes in Islāmic psychology, such as
focusing on Islāmic monotheism as the foundation of Islāmic
psychology, examining a brief history of the evolution of the
science of the soul, exploring the relationship between the Qur’an
and Sunnah and the psychology of human behaviour and experiences,
and considering the inner world of a human being. The book
examines the concepts of the Fitrah, nature and nurture, the Nafs
(Self), the Aql (Intellect), the Rū ḥ (Soul), the Qalb (Heart), and Ibn al-
Qayyim’s types of hearts. It also features the Islāmic model of healing,
religious coping in an Islāmic context, and spiritual therapeutic
interventions. The author also outlines research methodologies for
the study of Islāmic psychology.
The book features reflective questions designed to stimulate
critical thinking. It contains further reading in each chapter,
providing an excellent framework for broader exploration of the
themes. This is a perfect easy-to-understand foundation text for
students studying this exciting field for the first time. It is also a