A Comparative Study of Positive Views of Human Nature in Positive Psychology and the Qur’an

علوم قرآن و حدیث

Article 10, Volume 57, Issue 1 - Serial Number 114, September 2025, Pages 263-285   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jquran.2024.86657.1666

Authors

Ahmadreza Ghazavi¹; Gholamreza Raeisian^{* 2}; Seyyed Mohsen Asgharinekah³

¹PhD Candidate, Department of Qur’an and Hadith Studies, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

²Associate Professor, Department of Qur’an and Hadith Studies, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

³Associate Professor, Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

One of the fundamental anthropological principles of positive psychology is the acceptance of a positive view of human nature. This perspective comprises two key components: the recognition of stable positive traits and the intrinsic coexistence of strengths and weaknesses in human beings. The Qur’an, according to many exegetes, affirms this outlook since the concept of shākilah (disposition) is interpreted as indicative of human nature; furthermore, the Qur’an frequently emphasizes inner transformations, the manifestation of moral traits in the Hereafter, and expressions such as bimā kānū yaʿmalūn (for what they used to do), all pointing to the existence of enduring traits. Additionally, the Qur’an acknowledges dual tendencies within the human psyche, which are not viewed as contradictory. Exegetes have employed diverse frameworks to harmonize these tendencies. In conclusion, the Qur’an and positive psychology share a positive view on human nature.

Keywords

Anthropology; positive outlook; positive psychology; the Qur’an; disposition

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