Psychology of human beings in the Qur’an

Q: How does the Qur’an take the psychology of human beings into consideration while addressing them?

The Qur’an has been revealed for all of humanity so that they may be guided to prosperity in both worlds through the acceptance of faith, the performance of righteous deeds and the purification of the heart; in this way the Qur’an takes all human feelings into consideration. Humanity has a variety of emotions, like fear, love, anxiety about the future, excitement, emulation, desire for eternal life, etc. These feelings do not appear in the same degree or intensity in everyone. In some fear is more dominant, while in some others it might be love, or the desire for immortality. The Supreme Creator, when calling out to humankind, addresses such feelings and invites them all to believe in Him. In the Qur’an there are various psychological portrayals, depictions and narratives which stimulate various aspects of human sentiments and thus be either desired for or feared via these emotions. However, the aim of the Qur’an in presenting these situations is to correct and improve human beings and to convey Qur’anic truths to them, while encouraging them to avoid pursuing fantasies and whims. So that no one will be deprived of the message of Islam the Qur’an addresses all the emotions of all human beings and uses all such methods to influence them more effectively. In pursuit of such a goal the Qur’an speaks to believers about the rewards of Paradise by focusing on their emotions towards certain things. Details of the Paradise that has been promised to believers and the blessings that will be granted therein are all explained vividly. The following verses are but a few of this type:

The Paradise promised to the God-revering, pious ones can be likened to a garden through which rivers flow. Its produce is everlasting, and so its shade. That is the ultimate outcome for those who keep from disobedience to God in reverence for Him and piety, just as the ultimate outcome for the unbelievers is the Fire. (Rad 13:35)

Whereas the companions of Paradise will, on that Day, have appointed for them the best abode and the fairest place of repose. (Furqan 25:24)

On that Day you will be arraigned for judgment, and no secret of yours will remain hidden. Then as for him who is given his Record in his right hand, he will say: “Here, take and read my Record! “I surely knew that (one day) I would meet my account.” And so he will be in a state of life pleasing to him, in a lofty Garden with clusters (of fruit) within easy reach. “Eat and drink to your hearts’ content for all that you sent ahead in advance in days past (in anticipation of this Day).” (Haqqa 69:18-24)

(They will be seated) on lined thrones (encrusted with gold and precious stones), reclining upon them, facing one another. There will go round them immortal youths, with goblets, and ewers, and a cup from a clear-flowing spring, from which no aching of the head ensues, nor intoxication of the mind; and with fruits such as they choose, and with the flesh of fowls such as they desire, and (there will be) pure maidens, most beautiful of eye, like pearls kept hidden (in their shells), a reward for all (the good) that they used to do. They will hear there neither vain talk nor accusing speech; (They will hear) only speech (wishing) peace and security after peace and security. And the people of the Right (the people of happiness and prosperity who will receive their Records in their right hands): how happy and prosperous are the people of the Right! Amidst cherry trees laden with fruit and banana trees with fruit piled high, and shade long-extended, and water gushing (and flowing constantly), and fruits (of every other kind) abounding, never cut off, nor forbidden. And (with them will be their) spouses ennobled with beauty and spiritual perfection: We have brought them into being in a new creation; and We have made them virgins, full of love for their husbands, and equal in age for the people of the Right (the people of happiness and prosperity). (Waqi’a 56:15-38) He will reward them for all that they endure: a Garden (of Paradise) and garments of silk, reclining therein on thrones. They will find therein neither (burning) sun nor severe cold. And its shade will come down low over them, and its clusters of fruit hang down low within their reach. And they will be served with vessels of silver and goblets like crystal, crystal-clear, made of silver – they themselves determine the measure of the drink (as they wish.) And there they will be given to drink of a cup flavored with ginger (of Paradise), (filled from) a spring therein called Salsabīl (as it flows smoothly and continuously as they wish). There will go round them youths of perpetual freshness; when you see them you would think them scattered pearls. And wherever you have a look therein, you will see unimaginable delight and a great kingdom. Upon those (servants) will be garments of fine green silk and brocade, and they will be adorned with armbands of silver; and their Lord will favor them with the service of a pure drink. “This is what has been (prepared) for you as a reward, and your endeavor has been recognized and accepted.” (Insan 76:12-22)

In the verses above, details of Paradise are vividly explained and human sentiments are delicately touched upon; thus it is almost unimaginable for an ordinary person not to feel a strong desire or interest towards Paradise or to desire to go there. Likewise, by activating sentiments of fear in human beings, the existence of Hell, its horrifying conditions that will be encountered there and some of the terrible punishments that were inflicted on previous nations are all mentioned as lessons to people so that they are mindful of them and carry out their lives in this world accordingly. The following verses are only a few examples of this kind of verse: They (both the Messengers and unbelievers) sought a judgment (through test of right and might), and in the end every stubborn tyrant was frustrated (made to fail), and Hell is awaiting him, and he is made to drink of oozing pus, sipping it little by little, yet hardly able to swallow it, and death besets him from every side though he cannot die, and a still harsher punishment lies ahead of him. (Ibrahim 14:15-17) Whoever comes before his Lord as a disbelieving criminal, for him surely there will be Hell: he will neither die therein nor live. (Ta.Ha 20:74)

And We did indeed send Messengers to the communities before you, and We seized those (communities) with trials and tribulations so that they might invoke Us with humility (seeking the truth and forgiveness). If only, when Our trial came upon them, they had invoked Us with humility! But their hearts grew hard and Satan decked out whatever they were doing as appealing to them. Then, when they forgot (the advice and warnings) that they were reminded of, We opened for them the gates of all things, until, even while they were rejoicing in what they were granted, We seized them suddenly, so then they were plunged into despair. (An’am 6:42-44)

The Day when they will come forth (from death), with nothing of them being hidden from God. Whose is the absolute Sovereignty on that Day? It is God’s, the One, the All-Overwhelming (with absolute sway over all that exist). On that Day every soul will be recompensed for what it has earned; no wrong (will be done to any) on that Day. God is Swift at reckoning. (Mu’min 40:16-17)

By focusing on the natural tendency of human beings to emulate others, examples of the good behavior of others are encouraged as the aim is to educate future generations with high moral standards. By nature some people are more sensitive to tidings about Hell and are deterred by such, while others are more influenced by the glad tidings of Paradise and its depictions. Likewise, some people are disposed to avoid being exposed to evil and calamities, while some others enjoy following good and exemplary personalities. In fact, such diverse warnings and lessons could well apply to the same individual at different times. Thus we can understand that such an approach takes into account all aspects of an individual or all of humankind. This is an ideal method for disciplining and improving human characters and the Qur’an carefully implements this method and takes into account all human sentiments.

 

Akgul, Muhittin (2009). The Quran in 99 Questions (Abdullah Erdemli Trans.). New Jersey: Tughra Books. (Originally published in Turkish as Kur’an İklimine Seyahat)