Rediscovering the Comprehensive Contribution of Abu Zayd al-Balkhi in the Contemporary Psychology

Abstract

During the Golden Age spanning the 7th - 13th century, Muslims gained renown for their expertise in various scientific disciplines, encompassing both pure and social sciences. Significant advancements were made in fields such as sociology, psychology, history, and political science. It's noteworthy that, despite the absence of specific nomenclature for individual fields of study, Muslim scholars played pivotal roles in shaping and progressing these social sciences during that era. Following the wane of the Golden Age of Islam, the contributions of Muslim scholars across various knowledge domains became less prominent. The aftermath of this decline has resulted in a persistent state where Muslims find themselves constrained, akin to being in a metaphorical lizard's hole, largely influenced by the colonization of their minds. Muslim psychologists tend to adopt contemporary psychology and its theories without subjecting them to critical analysis. The secular paradigm of psychology, influenced by globalization, colonialization, and Americanization, persists in its original form. In the 20th century, the originator of Modern Islamic Psychology, Prof. Dr Malik Badri, played a crucial role in enlightening Muslim scholars about Islamic Psychology, emphasizing its cultural sensitivity. During this period, Muslim psychologists such as Malik Badri and Dr Rania Awaad delved into the examination of the contributions made by early medieval Muslim scholars to the field of Psychology. This paper aims to investigate the pioneering contributions of Abu Zayd al-Balkhi in the realm of contemporary Psychology. Al-Balkhi is recognized as a significant figure in various branches of modern Psychology, including Psychophysiology, Cognitive Psychology, Environmental Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Positive Psychology. To address the objectives of this paper, a qualitative research method will be employed.