Official Website of
Hifzul Rahman Kottangodan PhD, CHLC, CPI
Islamic Psychology
Islamic Psychology: Healing the Soul with Revelation and Reason
Our Foundation in Traditional Scholarship
Our approach to Islamic Psychology is deeply rooted in the teachings of Ibn Taymiyyah and his prominent students such as Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah and Ibn al-Taymiyyah’s revivalist school, who explained the human psyche in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah. This model goes beyond the modern Western framework by incorporating the soul (Rūḥ), heart (Qalb), self (Nafs), and mind (‘Aql) into a holistic spiritual anatomy.
While modern psychology offers clinical tools and cognitive models, Islamic Psychology (An-Nafs wal Qalb) adds the divine dimension of fitrah (innate purity), wahi (revelation), and tazkiyah (spiritual purification) — leading to true transformation and healing.
The Spiritual Anatomy of the Human Being
Our model represents an integrated map of the human soul, combining both classical Islamic concepts and modern psychological understanding. This model helps identify emotional disorders, spiritual blockages, and cognitive dysfunctions at their root levels.
The human being, according to Islamic Psychology, is composed of five essential components that work together in harmony or conflict. At the core lies the Soul (Rūḥ), the divine and pure essence breathed into every human by Allah, untouched by corruption. Surrounding it is the Qalb (Heart), the spiritual center responsible for belief, faith, doubt, and subconscious assumptions (alief). It is the seat of emotional memory and spiritual responsiveness. The ‘Aql (Mind/Intellect) functions as the reasoning faculty, enabling reflection, understanding, judgment, and decision-making. The Nafs (Self) represents the ego and lower self, encompassing desires, impulses, and moral inclinations. It can be purified into a tranquil state (Nafs al-Muṭma’innah) or fall into rebellion and temptation (Nafs al-Ammārah). Finally, the Jism (Body) is the physical vessel, through which sensory input and motor activity occur, deeply influenced by one’s psychological and spiritual condition.
Functions of the Mind and Heart
Your inner world operates through two major systems:
Processing System (Aql – Intellect)
This system governs cognitive operations, including:
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Fahm (Observation & Thoughts): Processes and organizes thoughts.
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Hikma (Wisdom): Applies knowledge to make sound, moral decisions.
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Yaqeen/Shakk (Conviction/Doubt): Evaluates beliefs and levels of certainty.
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Hukm (Judgment): Decides based on memory, beliefs, and values.
Memory System (Qalb – Heart)
This system stores emotional and spiritual data:
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Sadr (Understanding & Attitude): Forms worldviews and behavior patterns.
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Fuād (Feelings & Emotions): Records emotional responses and attachments.
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Qalb (Belief & Alief): Houses core beliefs and subconscious values.
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Lubb (Knowledge & Values): Contains essential truths, morality, and higher meanings.
Psychospiritual Interactions
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Intuition & Instinct arise from the soul and subconscious.
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External entities (Jinn, energy, trauma) may trigger mental imbalances or spiritual blockages.
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Emotional transference from others’ souls can influence a person’s Qalb and Nafs.
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Reciprocal determinism governs how body, mind, and soul interact — all shaping human behavior and health.
Why Our Approach is Unique
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Islamically Grounded: Rooted in Qur’an, Sunnah, and the works of Ibn Taymiyyah, not merely adapted from Western psychology.
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Spiritual Depth: We don’t just fix behaviors—we align your inner self with your fitrah (divine nature).
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Modern Tools Integrated: We combine Islamic psychology with CBT, trauma therapy, and parapsychology.
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Holistic View: Addresses the spiritual, emotional, cognitive, and physical dimensions.
Who Can Benefit?
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People struggling with depression, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts.
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Those affected by negative energy, jinn, sihr, or trauma.
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Individuals seeking faith-based emotional healing.
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Students of Islamic psychology and counseling professionals.