Quranic Concepts in Islamic Psychology and Spirituality

Zuleyha Keskin is an Associate Professor in Islāmic spirituality and the Course Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Islāmic Psychology at Charles Sturt University, Australia. She also serves as the Associate Head of School at the Centre for Islāmic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University. Zuleyha is the co-founder of ISRA Academy, the Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of Islāmic Studies, and the Vice President of the Australian Association of Islāmic and Muslim Studies.

'Qur’ânic Concepts in Islāmic Psychology and Spirituality is a groundbreaking work that bridges Islamic spirituality and psychology, offering a holistic understanding of human nature through the Qur’ânic lens. With clarity and depth, it explores the alignment of human faculties with fitrah, the transformative power of the five pillars, and key spiritual concepts such as ikhlas (sincerity), sabr (patience) and shukr (gratitude).This book is an invaluable resource for those seeking to integrate faith with mental and emotional well-being. Rooted in the Qur’an and Hadith, it provides insights that are both accessible and practical, making it an essential guide for personal growth, academic study, and professional practice. A must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how connecting with Allah leads to psychological resilience.'Professor Mehmet Ozalp, Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation, Charles Sturt University'In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. It is with immense pleasure that I write this endorsement for a book that explores the vital field of Islāmic psychology from a Qur’ânic worldview. The author, Professor Zuleyha Keskin, is the Associate Head of School at CISAC, co-founded ISRA Australia in 2009, leading to the establishment of CISAC at Charles Sturt University, where she played a key role in developing academic programmes, including Islāmic Studies and Islāmic Psychology. Her dedicated contributions to the Muslim community in Australia have earned her the prestigious Order of Australia Medal. I wholeheartedly endorse Qur’ānic Concepts in Islāmic Psychology and Spirituality: Application in the Modern World as a groundbreaking contribution to the field of Islāmic psychology. Professor Zuleyha Keskin masterfully integrates Qur’ānic wisdom with contemporary psychological insights, re-focusing spirituality as the foundation of human well-being. This book challenges secular paradigms by presenting an authentic, faith-based understanding of the human psyche, emphasising the interconnectedness of the rūḥ (spirit), qalb (heart), ‘aql (intellect), and nafs (self). Its structured approach- covering fiṭrah, self-purification, and psychological resilience-makes it both practical and deeply transformative. With its strong focus on spiritual well-being, this work fills a critical gap in the field. This book is an essential resource for students, practitioners, and scholars of psychology, as well as for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human psyche and soul from an Islāmic perspective. It offers a much-needed alternative to secular psychological theories, demonstrating that Islāmic psychology is not merely an adaptation of modern psychology, but a complete and independent framework rooted in divine wisdom. I pray that this book serves as a source of guidance and benefit for all who read it, inspiring further exploration, and development in the field. May Allāh reward Professor Zuleyha Keskin for her efforts and grant this work widespread acceptance and impact. Ameen.' Professor Dr. G. Hussein Rassool, Professor of Islāmic Psychology

• 1. The Human Faculties in the Qur’ân 2. The Five Pillars: Introduction and Qur’ânic Practice of Shahādah 3. The Five Pillars: Qur’ânic Practices of Ṣalāh and Zakāh 4. The Five Pillars: Qur’ânic Practices of Ṣawm and Ḥajj 5. Qur’ânic Spiritual Concepts of Ikhlāṣ and Tawakkul 6. Qur’ânic Spiritual Concepts of Duʿāʾ, Dhikr and Tafakkur 7. Qur’ânic Spiritual Concepts of Ṣabr, Shukr and Istiqāmah 8. Qur’ânic Spiritual Concepts of Tawbah, Istighfār, Riḍā, Sakīna and Iṭmīnān 9. Conclusion