Islamic Psychology (Ilm an-Nafs)

Islamic psychology addresses the human soul (nafs), its diseases, and purification. Muslim scholars wrote extensively on the inner life centuries before modern psychology.

Three States of the Nafs

• Nafs al-Ammarah: The commanding self that inclines toward evil (12:53)
• Nafs al-Lawwamah: The self-reproaching self that recognizes its faults (75:2)
• Nafs al-Mutma'innah: The tranquil self at peace with Allah (89:27)

Diseases of the Heart

Envy (hasad), arrogance (kibr), showing off (riya), love of the world (hubb ad-dunya), and anger (ghadab).