Nature of Man and the Psychology of the Human Soul
(Thematic Series)
Join Dr. Roslan Jelani as he explores, unravels, and clarifies thematically the terrain charted in the Prolegomena’s chapter on ‘The Nature of Man & The Psychology of the Human Soul’, and shepherds us on the journey to rediscover what we’ve forgotten for so long, The dual nature of man, of both body and soul, signals Allah’s Favor over him, above the three kingdoms. His heart, intellect, self, and spirit — acting in tandem, emerging from something of Allah’s Spirit — entwine his fitrah to the fulfilment of the Primordial Covenant. In submitting to His Lord, by abiding to the Shari‘ah of the Messenger ﷺ, man purifies and perfects his being through the proper use of his faculties. In doing so, he realizes the gravity of his existential indebtedness to Allah; reforms both his mind and body in due accord; and strives to rectify the corrosive damage wrought by the secular West. Only then would man truly carry himself in awe of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, and hence awaken to the civilizational import of the dīn of Islam.
01 Western Conception of Man and Psychological Crisis
02 Western Conception of Man and Psychological Crisis (Part II)
03 Western Conception of Man and Psychological Crisis (Part III)
04 The Soul's Coherent Key Terms and Concepts (Part I)
05 The Soul's Coherent Key Terms and Concepts (Part II)
06 The Soul's Coherent Key Terms and Concepts (Part II)
Western Conception of Man and Psychological Crisis (Part I)
16th May 2025
Western Conception of Man and Psychological Crisis explores the Islamic understanding of human nature and its implications for governance and societal well-being. Dr. Roslan highlights the contrast between 3 types of political authority: a "natural" kind driven by self-interest, a "rational" kind based on principles but lacking spiritual grounding, and a "religious" kind (Siyāsah Dīniyah) that balances worldly and spiritual aspects. The lecture argues that modern secular worldviews, heavily influenced by scientism and a reductionist view of humanity as mere biological animals, lead to psychological crises and societal dysfunction. Ultimately, a proper understanding of humanity's dual nature (physical and spiritual), particularly the supremacy of the rational soul, is presented as essential for true self-governance and the establishment of just social, economic, and political systems.
Western Conception of Man and Psychological Crisis (Part II)
20th June 2025
This discourse critically examines the Western secular framework's conception of humanity, contrasting it sharply with the worldview of Islām. Dr. Roslan argues that the Western perspective, rooted in scientism and logical positivism, reduces human beings to mere physical entities, neglecting their crucial spiritual and metaphysical faculties like the intellect, soul, spirit, and heart. This limited view, driven by unbridled desires and a quest for domination over nature, leads to spiritual and psychological crises, a disconnect from divine law, and an inability to perceive the inherent beauty and order in creation. In contrast, Islām emphasises the stewardship of the self as the foundation for harmonious interaction with nature, promoting virtues such as humility, mercy, and gentleness to maintain cosmological balance and reflect the divine beauty embedded in all things.
Western Conception of Man and Psychological Crisis (Part III)
18th July 2025
This lecture critiques the Western conception of man, arguing it has become dangerously secularized and materialistic, particularly due to the pervasive influence of Cartesian dualism and Darwinian evolution. Dr. Roslan contends that modern psychology, driven by this worldview, denies the existence of the soul, focusing instead on the empirical and physical aspects of humanity. This shift has led to an anthropocentric view where humanity is seen as the ultimate authority, deriving morality from utilitarianism and pragmatism rather than divine guidance, ultimately prioritising pleasure and self-interest (hedonism). The lecture concludes by emphasising the need for Muslims to understand the conception of man from the worldview of Islam, which acknowledges both physical and spiritual dimensions, to resist this moral bankruptcy, and avoid living a life devoid of true purpose, akin to animals.
The Soul's Coherent Key Terms
and Concepts (Part I)
15th August 2025
This lecture delves into the nature of man within the worldview of Islam, emphasizing humanity's unique spiritual significance. It posits that humans were created out of God's mercy and generosity, imbued with divine knowledge (ma'rifah) as the source of wisdom, and equipped with cognitive faculties like hearing, sight, and insight. Our fundamental duty is to reflect divine wisdom and the presence of God, acting as a "mirror" for His beautiful names and attributes, which are comprehensively manifested within us, unlike other creations. The lecture stresses the importance of continuous self-purification and spiritual polishing to maintain this reflective capacity, warning against actions that increase spiritual darkness, as they lead to a "spiritual blindness" that humiliates human existence. It highlights that the soul is the locus of God's signs and that our purpose is to willingly submit to God, using our physical bodies and the world as a "bridge" to return to our divine origin. Finally, Dr. Roslan introduces the concept of the "nafs" (soul/self) as the most hostile enemy within us, requiring constant refinement through righteous deeds, right knowledge, and virtues, with the Sharia (Islamic law and belief) serving as the key to unlock spiritual doors and govern the self, ultimately leading to true knowledge and a life reflecting God's light.
The Soul's Coherent Key Terms
and Concepts (Part II)
19th September 2025
This discourse focuses on the intricate process of refining the soul (nafs) by likening it to unlocking several doors that lead to the heart and the “right self”. The key to this spiritual progression is adherence to the Shari'ah and the Sunnah of the Prophet, which must possess the “right number of teeth” to successfully open the locks of the self. The first and most foundational lock is that of the physical body, or the vital/animal soul (nafs al-hayawaniyyah), which requires a key with five teeth—representing the Five Pillars of Islam—to unlock the external senses. Dr. Roslan emphasizes that Islam, or submission, serves as a testimony to faith (Iman), necessitating the correct engagement of the external senses in deeds ordained by God before one can access the inner faculties. This journey involves perfecting the external and internal senses, which act as tools to serve the rational soul (nafs al-natiqah), and culminates in the process of abstraction to grasp the pure, coherent meaning (ma'na) of things, guiding the individual back to their pure origin.
The Soul's Coherent Key Terms
and Concepts (Part III)
17th October 2025
This philosophical and spiritual discourse explains the journey of the human being, distinguishing between the physical body, referred to as bashar (man's physical body), and the ruh al-insan (human spirit) or nafs (self as a person). The lecture emphasises that the bashar, equipped with various faculties, must be involved in good deeds and commands stipulated by Sharia to become strengthened and rectified. This purification and strengthening of the physical and animalistic attributes, which include desire and anger, allows them to properly serve the ruh al-insan, which is the organising principle and the true self. The ultimate purpose of perfecting the bashar is to advance from the lower, animalistic realm to the Insan realm, moving toward the Malakut (the world of sovereignty) and achieving a higher level of spiritual vision and a perfected Iman (faith). This process of using the physical body as a means to serve the soul prevents the self from being controlled by mere instinct and desire, which leads to shaqawah (suffering and distraction).