Psychology and Islam

                                                                              بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Origins of Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It was originally a branch of philosophy before becoming a separate scientific discipline in 1879 when Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology lab. 

The roots of psychology can be traced back to Egypt, Greece, China, India and Persia. In Ancient Greece, philosophers like Plato and Socrates believed that knowledge is innate, whereas Aristotle believed that people learn through sensory experiences and observation. René Descartes, another philosopher in the 17th century introduced the idea the mind and body are two separate entities that interact with one another. 

Previously, many of the philosophers were either atheist or believed in some sort of (false) deity. For example, it's been attributed to Socrates by his student Plato that he believed in the (false) gods of Athens. 

The great scholar Imam Ibn al-Jawzi has a section in his book "Talbis-Iblis" called "Devil's Deception on Diverse Philosophies" in which he refutes the claims of the philosophers. It's a very beneficial read and I highly recommend reading the book. 

Today, majority of the psychologists (and philosophers) are unaffiliated (with any religion) or are "non-religious*." They claim that majority of psychologists are atheists because they're "trained experts in understanding how thinking, emotion, learning, and behavior work." They also claim that "they are purpose-built to be skeptical of, and see right-through religion's lure." They are unable to acknowledge that there is a Creator who created them with perfection and the world around them with perfection. 

Shaitan has deluded them and they have accepted his narrative.

Allah mentions in Surah An-Nisa Ayah 76:

 ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا 

Believers fight for the cause of Allah, whereas disbelievers fight for the cause of Shaitan. So fight against Shaitan's "evil" forces. Indeed, Shaitan's schemes are ever weak. 

Allah mentions in the Quran in Surah al-Ghashiyah Ayah 17:

أَفَلَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى ٱلْإِبِلِ كَيْفَ خُلِقَتْ

Do they not look at the camels, how they are created?

By reflecting on the signs and creations around you, you will be able to acknowledge that the entire world was created and being controlled by the one who is the most perfect.

Concepts of Psychology that Islam Rejects

There are a few aspects of psychology that simply oppose the teachings of Islam. For example, Islam rejects the psychological models that believe human consciousness and behavior are mere biological or chemical reactions. Theories such as Behaviorism, cognitive psychology, and evolutionary psychology omit the existence of a soul and instead address human identity as either "the self, the personality, or the brain / nervous system." 

Allah has created a soul within each body and He is the one who is in control of every one of them. 

Allah mentions in Surah Zumar Ayah 42:

ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَٱلَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِهَا ۖ فَيُمْسِكُ ٱلَّتِى قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ مُّسَمًّى ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

It is Allâh Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.

The ones who have rejected the idea of a "soul" reject the idea of the afterlife. As Allah mentions in the Quran in Surah Qaf Ayahs 3-5, about the people who find the concept of resurrection "impossible:" 

أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًۭا ۖ ذَٰلِكَ رَجْعٌۢ بَعِيدٌۭ

قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنقُصُ ٱلْأَرْضُ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَعِندَنَا كِتَـٰبٌ حَفِيظٌۢ

بَلْ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ فَهُمْ فِىٓ أَمْرٍۢ مَّرِيجٍ

"When we are dead and have become dust (shall we be resurrected?) That is a far return."

We know that which the earth takes of them (their dead bodies), and with Us is a Book preserved (i.e. the Book of Decrees).

Nay, but they have denied the truth (this Qur’ân) when it has come to them, so they are in a confused state (cannot differentiate between right and wrong).

Islam also rejects parts of the concept of autonomy vs. accountability in psychology. An individual is responsible for his/her deeds and is accountable to Allah on the day of judgment. 

The concept of predestination (al-Qadr) has been explained by Shaykh Salih al-Uthaimeen. The English translation can be found by clicking here

Personal Conclusion 

Every field has its own benefits and downfalls. As for modern-day psychology, many of its ideas and concepts are based on experimentation, scientific study, and observation rather than just abstract ideas. Many people challenge the old and outdated ideas presented by some psychologists which help ask meaningful questions and discover other perspectives. 

With regards to concepts coined by non-Muslims, a Muslim must be careful in regards to accepting it. A Muslim must base anything new that he/she comes across with Islam - whether it opposes it, accepts it, or neither. Having strong Islamic knowledge as your foundation is important because it is your guide stick in navigating your way through secular knowledge. 

Personally, I enjoy studying psychology (as an undergraduate subject) as its helped me understand and empathize with people more. I've become more educated on people's personalities, mental illnesses, visual perceptions, multiple intelligences, and certain phenomenon that we do but are unable to understand why. Development in children has always fascinated me and studying developmental psychology has helped me a lot in my teaching. If you are considering a field in teaching, learning psychology is a good start but remember to leave the aspects that contradict Islam. 

I hope you had a beneficial read! 

*though many practicing clinicians hold traditional religious beliefs