Ibn Sina’s Islamic Psychology: Healing the Soul Through Science & Revelation
How an 11th-Century Polymath Revealed Timeless Mental Health Principles from the Quran
Ibn Sina and the Islamic Foundations of Psychology
Ibn Sina laid the foundation for psychology by merging science, spirituality, and Quranic wisdom centuries before modern psychology emerged.
He explored how the Quran and spiritual practices shape human behavior, emotions, and mental health.
The Quran emphasizes self-awareness and remembrance of Allah as key to mental clarity.
Practical Steps:
Daily Reflection (Muhasabah): At the end of each day, reflect on your actions and thoughts. Where did you act with wisdom, and where did you let emotions take over?
Journaling with Dhikr: Write down your emotions daily and pair them with dhikr (e.g., “Alhamdulillah” for gratitude, “Astaghfirullah” for self-correction).
Link Psychology to Islam: Next time you hear about stress, depression, or cognitive function, ask: What does Islam already say about this?
Ibn Sina’s Three-Tier Model of the Soul (Nafs)
Islamic psychology divides the soul into three dimensions, directly from Quranic teachings.
Nafs al-Nabatiyyah (The Vegetative Soul): Basic survival needs (hunger, sleep, growth).
Nafs al-Hayawaniyyah (The Animalistic Soul): Emotions, desires, instincts.
Nafs al-Natiqah (The Rational Soul): Higher intellect, decision-making, spiritual connection.
Practical Steps:
Control Desires with Fasting: Ibn Sina emphasized that fasting trains the mind to control the Nafs al-Hayawaniyyah (emotional soul). Try fasting Mondays and Thursdays.
Strengthen the Rational Soul with Knowledge: Read Islamic philosophy and Hadiths that discuss self-discipline.
Practice Self-Restraint: Before making a decision, pause and ask: Is this my desires speaking, or my rational soul guiding me?
“Verily, the soul is inclined to evil, except those upon whom my Lord has mercy.” (Quran, Surah Yusuf, Chapter 12, Chapter of Joseph, Verse 53)
Mental Health in the Quran and Ibn Sina’s Healing Methods
Cognitive Therapy and Tafakkur (Deep Reflection)
Ibn Sina emphasized Tafakkur (contemplation) as a way to rewire thought patterns, now recognized as cognitive restructuring in psychology.
Modern neuroscience shows that deep reflection and gratitude physically rewire the brain’s neural pathways.
Quranic Sound Therapy
Modern research proves that Quran recitation changes brainwave activity, enhancing relaxation and cognitive function.
Emotional Regulation Through Salah and Dhikr
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Quran, Surah Ar-Ra’d, Chapter 13, Thunder, Verse 28)
Ibn Sina studied how structured prayer (Salah) regulates the autonomic nervous system, reducing anxiety and depression.
Practical Steps:
Start the Day with Tafakkur: Spend 5–10 minutes reflecting on your intentions before engaging in tasks.
Use Salah as a Reset Button: When overwhelmed, pause and pray two rak’ahs to regain focus.
Listen to Quran for Mental Clarity: Instead of music, play slow-paced Quran recitation during moments of stress.
Ibn Sina’s Groundbreaking Work on Trauma and Memory
Ibn Sina was the first to link trauma to mental health disorders, centuries before modern psychology.
He described how traumatic memories become “stuck” in the soul, affecting emotions and thoughts.
He recommended treatments like:
Guided self-reflection (Tafakkur) to process past experiences.
Nature therapy – spending time in quiet, natural environments to clear mental clutter.
Scent therapy – using calming oils like black seed oil and olive oil for stress relief.
Practical Steps:
Rewire Negative Memories: If a bad memory arises, replace it with a positive Quranic affirmation (e.g., “With hardship comes ease.” (Quran, Surah Ash-Sharh, Chapter 94, The Expansion, Verse 6)).
Daily Walk in Nature: Ibn Sina recommended exposure to greenery and fresh air for mental clarity.
Use Sunnah Oils for Relaxation: Apply olive oil or black seed oil before sleep to calm the nervous system.
This is genuinely so interesting. Ibn Sina was truly ahead of his time and this was such an enjoyable, informative read. It’s also so so interesting how the Quran has been show to affect brainwave activity.