A STUDY OF HUMAN MOTIVES IN THE LIGHT OF THE HOLY QUR’ĀN (A psychoanalytical Perspective)

Abstract

Thesis Title: A Study of Human Motives in the Light of the Holy Qur’ān: A Psychoanalytical Perspective: This research work aims at the study of human motives of actions and behaviour in the light of the Qur’ān, psychoanalysis and some theories of behaviorism and genetics. It also includes the study of the factors, which initiate, motivates and affect the motives behind human actions and behaviour. Mainly, psychoanalytical or psychodynamic approach has been adopted. However, in addition to it, following are some of the theories, which, have largely been employed in this research work: 1. Genetic Behaviour 2. Social Learning Theory of Albert Bandura 3. Situational Attribution by Philip Zimbardo 4. Hierarchy of Human Needs by Abraham Maslow 5. Narcissism We believe that God is the creator of man, He knows him well. He knows the innermost secrets of his heart. Since we know from the holy scriptures that God wants to cure and correct man’s actions and behaviour, it is obvious that He must have revealed to man his true nature and the real motives of his actions and behaviour in His divine books, especially in the Qur’ān; so that, man may beware of himself and his true nature and may improve his actions and behaviour with the help of this knowledge. This is the theme of this research thesis. Therefore, the postulation of this research work is that God is the best psychoanalyst. Some philosophical and metaphysical problems have also been discussed in this research work to establish foundations and parameters for the proposed study. Then, different modes of human behaviour and actions, mentioned in the Qur’ān, have been discussed in the light of the Qur’ān, psychoanalysis, psychodynamics, and the above-mentioned theories of behaviorism and genetics. Next, the good and bad personalities of the Qur’ān have been discussed to determine the motives of their behaviour and the factors, which caused such behaviour. Next, the nations and their collective behavior have been analyzed with the same methodology. Scientific theories of behavior, except for genetics, are least consulted here as the author believes that human behavior and motives are not a subject completely scientific. They are more the subject of social sciences. In the end, the thesis concludes with some conclusions and recommendations for possible application of the findings of this work and for further research work, in the future.