Principles of Islamic Psychology

Book excerpt: Psychology is the study of mind, and this is exactly why the Quran put a great emphasis between the relationship of man and his Creator and the role faith plays intellectually and spiritually in our lives. The Quran is a book of wisdom, and it includes all aspects of human life. Religion, as a matter of fact, is an intellectual property that cannot be seen. So the mind cannot be seen. Human beings are curious creatures. This curiosity elaborated in the story of Abraham when he wanted to find the truth for himself. Finding the truth is a principle of science and research. Islamic psychology is based on three principles, namely theo-ethics, socio-ethics, and psyco-ethics, which discusses human relations from a psychological point of view. It is the mind that relates to all aspects of life. Therefore, Islamic psychology deals with all spheres that originate from God alone. For that, ego or self plays a major role and makes mankind responsible for all his actions. Since Islam is a religion of unity, then all processes of mind interrelate to not only self but also to God and society. Therefore, like any other field of knowledge, it is hard to separate psychology or the study of mind from other life principles. As a matter of fact, it is the mind that regulates other affairs, being good or bad. Islamic psychology emphasizes on making humans responsible for their inner soul activities, which lead either to felicity or destruction. Since religion is an intellectual property, then the study of mind is also a spiritual and intellectually property.