The International Association of Islamic Psychology defines Islamic Psychology as the Psychology that is based on an Islamic paradigm. The Islamic paradigm is a perspective that encompasses rules, norms, and values that apply to all aspects of human life, let it be personal I.e. cognition, emotion, behavior, physiological and spiritual as well as collective I.e. social, political, economical, etc.

Islamic paradigm sees human nature holistically which includes Nafs, Qalb, Aql and Ruh as well giving consideration to the existing psychological literature and practices related to the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model  of perceiving human nature. It offers an alternative approach to understanding human behavior and mental health by drawing premise from the Divine Revelation, I.e. Quran and a Sunnah, referring to the works of Islamic intellectual and spiritual heritage as well as studies in contemporary psychology. 

History of Contemporary founder of Islamic Psychology: Dr Malik Badri

Professor Malik Badri (16 February 1932 – 8 February 2021)  is the Father of Contemporary Islamic Psychology

Born in Sudan, he earned a B.A. and Masters from the American University of Beirut, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Leicester, England, and a Postgraduate Certificate of Clinical Psychology from Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London University. He became a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Chartered Psychologist. Recognized with honors including an honorary D.Sc. from Ahfad University and the Shahid Zubair medal, he held various academic roles, including Dean positions at the University of Khartoum and Juba University. Additionally, he served as a senior clinical psychologist in the Middle East and Africa, founding the Psychological Clinic at the University of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He occupied the prestigious Chair of Ibni Khaldun at the International Islamic University, Malaysia.

Indian History of the field of IP
 Indian council on the Islamic perspective in psychology (ICIPP) was established in 2016 in India. Three seminars (two international) and several workshops have been organized in India under the ICIPP banner to debate and exchange ideas about this evolving field. Moreover, the optional papers of Islamic psychology are included in the syllabi of Psychology recommended for Indian universities and colleges as a model syllabi by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. 

Indian Contemporary Frontiers:
Dr. Akbar Husain, a Professor at Aligarh Muslim University, has over 41 years of experience in teaching and research. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and a D.Litt. for his work on spirituality in psychology. With numerous publications, supervision of theses, and contributions to conferences, he’s recognized internationally. Dr. Husain’s research interests include spiritual psychology, Islamic psychology, clinical health psychology, and more. He received the Sir Syed Innovation Award 2018 for Outstanding Researcher of the Year.

Naved Iqbal, currently a Professor at the Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, has been a dedicated educator since 1994. With a focus on health psychology, clinical psychology, and spirituality from an Islamic perspective, he has contributed significantly to research in these areas. Dr. Iqbal’s research also delves into Islamic psychology, exploring unique epistemological paradigms that integrate Islamic principles with contemporary psychological theories and methodologies. His scholarly endeavors highlight a commitment to advancing psychological knowledge and practice while embracing the rich insights offered by Islamic tradition. Additionally, Naved has chaired numerous conferences and authored multiple papers, showcasing his multidimensional contributions to the field of psychology.He previously served as a head of ICIPP and possesses a strong grasp of Islamic psychology, encompassing research and epistemological paradigms within the field.

Azizuddin Khan is a distinguished academic currently serving as a Professor at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. With a tenure spanning over 16 years at the institute, he has made significant contributions to the field of Psychology and research.

Beyond his academic responsibilities, Azizuddin Khan has demonstrated a keen interest and proficiency in the realm of Islamic psychology. He has been one of the founding members of ICIPP which underscores his deep understanding and engagement with Islamic psychological principles, research methodologies, and epistemological paradigms.

Other founding members

– Prof. Roomana N. Siddiqui   – Position: Professor

   – Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University

– Dr. Nazirul Hasnain (Retd.)  

   – Position: Retired Professor

   – Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

– Prof. Shamin Ansari  

   – Position: Retired Professor

   – Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University

– Prof. M Hafiz Ilyas Khan  

   – Position: Former Chairperson

   – Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University

– Dr. Khurshid Alam  

   – Position: Associate Professor

   – Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Zakir Husain Delhi College

– Nahid Nizami  

   – Position: Professor

   – Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University

He established The International Association of Islamic Psychology (IAIP) in 2017, aiming to enhance Islam’s role in advancing health and human understanding while promoting Islamic psychology as a theoretical framework in clinical psychology. Joining Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University in 2017 as a psychology professor and serving as a visiting lecturer at the International Open University, he continued his academic pursuits until his passing. He died on February 8th, 2021 in Malaysia. A prolific author, his works in psychology and education have been translated into numerous languages across the Islamic world. His research interests span psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive behavior therapy, Islamic psychology, social psychology, and Islamic studies.