Religious psychology, as a branch of spiritual anthropology, explores the depths of human existence and its connection to sublime values and divine knowledge. This discipline, grounded in the verses of the Holy Quran and the narrations of the Infallibles (peace be upon them), analyses human behaviours, motivations, and existential orientations, opening a path towards perfection and divine proximity. This treatise, through scientific and systematic rewriting of the delivered lectures, provides a coherent and profound text for researchers in the fields of religion and psychology. The content of this work comprehensively encompasses all details and key points of the lectures, elaborated with an exalted and solemn language. By adding specialised titles, supplementary analyses, and literary metaphors, the concepts have been systematically elucidated to establish semantic and scientific connections between topics. The structure of this book is designed to maintain fidelity to the original content, with each section concluding in a detailed summation, and ultimately presenting an inclusive synthesis of the entire work.
This section analyses the human condition when confronted with calamities and afflictions, particularly in critical circumstances such as the danger of water, from the perspective of the Holy Quran, and examines the purity of faith as the human response to these trials.
In the face of immense tribulations, a human is like a mariner in the heart of a storm, turning towards the true refuge. When all apparent means are stripped away, the heart inclines towards the One Creator.
So when they board the ship, they call upon Allah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, behold, they associate others with Him.
(Al-Ankabt: 65)
This verse clearly demonstrates that in critical moments, such as being trapped amidst the merciless waves of the sea, a human seeks refuge solely in God, forgetting all outward causes. Water, with its gentle exterior and harsh interior, places man before his own impotence and calls him to sincerity in faith and monotheism. Yet, after deliverance, many turn to polytheism and neglect remembrance of God.
Water, with its dual nature, is both the source of life and a symbol of severity. When man is caught among the waves, all apparent supports are removed and he resorts solely to God. This moment is a test of the sincerity of faith that brings man closer to the reality of monotheism.
After liberation from danger, instead of gratitude and maintaining sincerity, man resorts to polytheism. This conduct indicates weakness in faith and forgetfulness of the truth of monotheism, which distances man from the path of perfection.
Immense dangers, such as being trapped at sea, guide man towards the purity of faith and monotheism, yet heedlessness post-deliverance draws him towards polytheism. This section calls for preserving sincerity in all conditions and refraining from negligence after rescue.
Linked to the theme of the purity of faith, this section analyses human behaviour in confronting calamities and neglecting their wisdom from the Quranic viewpoint, and examines the concept of extravagance in this context.
Man, like a traveller on the tortuous path of the mundane, turns to God during calamities but lapses into neglect once the hardship is lifted.
And when harm touches man, he calls upon Us lying on his side, sitting or standing. But when We remove the harm from him, he goes away as if he had never called upon Us to harm that touched him. Thus is made pleasing to the extravagant what they have been doing.
(Ynus: 12)
This verse depicts man facing calamities, sincerely calling upon God, but after relief acts as though he never invoked God for that affliction. Such conduct is extravagance in divine grace, for man ignores the ultimate purpose of the affliction, which is constant attention to God.
Afflictions act as mirrors inviting man to contemplate divine wisdom. The ultimate goal of every affliction is mans attainment of God, but extravagant individuals lose the blessing of servitude through neglect of this wisdom.
Extravagant behaviour returns man to a lower state than before the affliction. This negligence not only wastes divine blessings but also diverts man from the path of perfection.
Afflictions provide opportunities for attention to God and attainment of perfection; however, extravagants squander this blessing through neglect of divine wisdom. This section invites man to reflect on the wisdom of afflictions and maintain continual focus on God.
Connected to the discussion on calamities, this section analyses the role of hardships in identifying true friends from the Quranic perspective.
Hardships, like a furnace, separate true friends from superficial ones. In difficult moments, only the loyal remain by ones side.
Indeed, Allah has turned in mercy to the Prophet and the emigrants and the helpers who followed him in the hour of hardship after some of their hearts nearly deviated. Then He turned to them; indeed, He is to them Most Merciful, Most Compassionate.
(At-Tawbah: 117)
This verse considers hardships as a criterion to identify true friends. In tough times, only those who stay with loyalty and self-sacrifice deserve friendship.
True friends are like stars in the dark night of hardship, illuminating the way with loyalty and self-sacrifice. This loyalty is a sign of faith and sincerity.
