Islamic Psychology involves philosophical understanding of the human psyche from an Islamic perspective, exploring the physical, mental, and spiritual natures of the soul, and their connection to the Divine. Islamic psychology differs from Western psychology by placing the heart or qalb as the centre of the self, rather than the mind or aql. It is also known as ‘ilm al-nafs or science of the nafs (self or soul), centralising concepts such as the nafs, oneness with God or tawhid, and purification of the self and spirit or tazkiyyat al-nafs. According to this Islamic model, the innately good and pure essence of every person experiences difficulty as a natural part of life on earth. Somatic and spiritual practices are developed to resolve these difficulties through connection with the Divine.

Islamic Psychology

Islamic model of the psyche adapted from An Introduction to Islamic Psychology by Dr Abdallah Rothman, Professor of Islamic Psychology and Principal at Cambridge Muslim College.

Jungian psychology, known as analytical psychology, also involves philosophical understanding of the human psyche from integrating all parts of the personal unconscious, the collective unconscious, and the conscious. This process of integration is called individuation, whereby a person experiences a sense of wholeness and self-realisation, psychological growth, and wellbeing. Jungian therapy uses concepts of the anima/animus, representing the respective feminine and masculine aspects of the unconscious; persona, reflecting the “mask” or social role we present to the world; and shadow, meaning the repressed or denied parts of the unconscious.