In any Introductory Psychology books, various psychological issues are touched upon such as biological psychology, sensation/perception, psychology of consciousness, psychology of learning, cognitive psychology, motivation/emotion, developmental psychology, personality psychology, abnormal psychology, and social psychology.  Believe it or not, these issues touched upon briefly but comprehensively in the story of Adam’s AS creation.

Adam AS (and thus all humans) is created by Allah with dual nature (body and spirit; Qur’an, 23: 12-16; also read a hadith narrated by Bukhari Vol. 9, Book 93, No. 546). When the spirit/ruh enters the body, it is known as soul/nafs. It gives life to the body and interacts with biological and environmental variables to produce various unique human behaviours and mental processes covered in Introductory psychology textbooks.

The story of Adam’s (PBUH) creation and his nature revealed a unique human biological make-up (Qur’an, 7:11), consciousness (Qur’an, 7: 20; 20: 117,120), cognitive ability (Qur’an, 2: 32-33; 7: 20), development (Qur’an, 7: 25), motivation and emotion (Qur’an, 2: 35; 7:,19; 20:,120-121), and social behaviour (Qur’an, 2: 36; 7: 24; 20: 123).  But most importantly, the soul gives human beings the ability to choose between good and bad (Qur’an, 2: 36; 7: 22), and receive guidance and make repent (Qur’an 2: 37; 7: 23; 20: 122). Read the rest of this entry »

How can psychology help solve Muslim astronauts’ problems in space?

• study how human body functions (e.g. biorhythms, sleep patterns, and sensory illusion) in zero gravity; and how it affects the efficiency of `ibadah and tarbiyyah in space
• study cognitive skills of astronauts (e.g. memory, visual-motor tracking, multi-tasking) in long-term space flights; and how it affects the efficiency of `ibadah and tarbiyyah in space
• develop selection tests for astronauts e.g. physical tests on how they deal with weightlessness, spinning, and other kinds of disturbances of balance, as well as on their general all-round health and strength such as stamina, endrance, and short-term strength - so that only the best Muslims are selected
• design psychological tests for astronauts e.g. having high level of skills and aptitudes for the complex tasks e.g. manipulative skills involved in fine precision work, perceptual skills, co-ordination skills, teamwork, etc.; e.g. screening out candidates who are subject to bouts of depression, anxiety or slight paranoia - so that only psychologically healthy Muslims are selected
• design better spacecraft that reduce some of the physical demands of the experience e.g. increased comfort, better design instrument panels, some privacy area, efficient communication tools, etc.  - so that Muslim astronauts will perform well in their space mission
• provide counselling support to deal with problems once the astronauts reach back to earth e.g. readapting to standing and carrying weights, sudden transition from being strong to weak, dealing with the shock for sudden fame, adjusting to family life, etc. - so that Muslim astronauts will adjust well to their normal `ibadah and tarbiyyah activities 

Do you think Muslims had given a balanced focus on physical, psychological, and spiritual issues when dealing with space mission?

Yours Islamically and psychologically,

Alizi Alias

Ruqayya al-Ghasara - 200m gold medalist Asian Game, Doha 2006

The late Florence Griffith-Joyner - 100m & 200m sprints Olympic champion1988 (and world record holder)

How can psychology help solve Muslims’ problems in sports/exercise?

Exercises, in addrition to help us stay healthy to perform `ibadah, are preparation for future jihad war - if the need arises.  Even though Muslims do not look forward to war, it is sometimes inevitable and we have to prepare to defend our iman/faith and religion/Islam - we are prepared to defend it, right?

An athlete that bring with him/her an Islamic image in terms of name, country he/she is representing, his/her speech, and his/her attire (e.g. hijab) is indirectly perform a da`wah esp. if he/she performs well.

Sport psychologists can:

• Help Muslim athletes focus their attention on their own performance and not on the crowd or on competing athletes
• Help Muslim athletes use cognitive strategies (e.g. relaxation, concentration, positive visualisation) to enhance performance
• Help manage Muslims’ motivation and emotion to enhance sport performance
• Identify factors in sport that increase spiritual and psychological well-being
• Use group psychology to enhance team cohesivenes
• Control aggression among athletes and sport spectators
• Design effective training methods for skill acquisition
• Identify suitable leadership style for the coach

Do you think Muslim athletes are too low in their Islamic self-esteem to practice Islam openly that they have to wait until the non-Muslims Westerners to wear attire that covers the knees (for males) and covers nearly the whole body (for females) in sports such as athletics and swimming?

Yours Islamically and psychologically,

Alizi Alias

How can psychology help solve Muslims’ problems of psychological disorders without resolving to the already crowed mental institutions?

Community psychologists can help by:

• Consult with community leaders, agencies/institutions and lawmaker to change stressful conditions (e.g. unemployment, lack of Islamic education, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, marital conflict, and sub-standard housing) that contribute to psychological disorders (including incorrect views about God, meaning of life, and Islamic fiqh/law)
• Combine comprehensive family support and early Islamic childhood education to reduce the prevalance of chronic juvenile deliquency
• Set up centre for people with problems (e.g. abuser or suicidal) and work with teachers, imam, and du`at to sensitise them to early signs of psychological disorders.
• Rally communit forces to shore up the ties of people with disorders to family and vocational life.

Do you think Muslims have given enough opportunity provided by Allah to people with psychological problems? Or better, to prevent them from developing the disorders in the first place?

Yours Islamically and psychologically,

Alizi Alias

Al-Hambra Palace in Granada, Spain.

 International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

How can psychology help solve Muslims’ problems in architecture and environmental issues?

• Manage personal factors (e.g. perception, cognition, attitude, and personality) and control environmental factors (r.g. temperature, lighting, noise, smell, personal space, territoriality, privacy, density/crowding, etc.) to design ___________________ that is not only Islamic but also promotes Islamic behaviour and thinking.

1. house or residential environment
2. neighbourhood or community environment
3. school/university or educational environment
4. office or workplace environment
5. natural environment

Do you think your environment/bi’ah directly and indirectly encourages Islamic practices?

Yours Islamically and psychologically,

Alizi Alias