Psychology

Psychology is perhaps the one field that has been given the least consideration by Muslims. When it comes to the emotional and mental struggles of people, Muslims scholars have typically advised people to cope through religious rituals such as prayers and fasting and to draw on spirituality to achieve inner peace. Yet, when one examines the state of Muslims – be they a numerical majority or minority in their societies – it is evident that psychological problems are prevalent and should be addressed promptly. It often seems that Muslims pay little attention, if any at all, to the great contribution of contemporary psychology through its theories and interventions which help us better understand how people feel, think and behave.

To bridge this gap, what is needed is to reconcile the insights gained from psychology’s theories and interventions with the principles that exist within the Islamic legal tradition, their higher objectives and ethical ends. This process of reconciliation is best undertaken as a research project where textual sources and religious tradition are re-examined and debated in light of recent psychological and neurocognitive findings. Through seminars and workshops where scholars of religious texts and scientists in the different branches of psychology engage each other in critical discussion, CILE has a pivotal role. Our objective is to advance a framework that views psychology and spirituality, not as two opposing fields, but as complementary and holistic approaches for human sciences and spiritual commitment. The ultimate goal, here, is to provide people with the best approaches to ease their suffering and unleash their potential. And this is an ethical mandate.