The Islamic Personality by Sheikh Taqīuddīn An-Nabahānī

Islam has provided a complete solution for man to create for himself a particular personality distinct from all others. With the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed), it treated his thoughts, making for man an intellectual basis upon which his thoughts would be built and according to which his mafahīm (concepts) are formed. He can distinguish true thoughts from false ones when he measures them against the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed), thus using it as an intellectual standard against which he can measure all thoughts. So his ‘Aqliyyah (mentality) is built upon the ‘aqīdah (creed) which provides him with a distinct ‘aqiliyyah (mentality) and a true basis for thoughts. Thus, his ‘aqliyya (mentality)

is built upon this ‘aqīdah (creed) which provides him a distinct mentality and a true criterion for thoughts and ideas, safeguarding him from erroneous thought. Thereby he is able to negate false ideas, remaining honest in thought and sound in comprehension.

At the same time, Islam properly treated man’s actions, which stem from his instincts and organic needs, with the Sharī’ah rules which emanate from the ‘aqīdah (creed) itself; regulating his instincts, not suppressing them, harmonising them, not leaving them without restriction; enabling him to satisfy all his needs in a harmonious manner leading him to tranquility and stability. Islam has made the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) an intellectual one, making it suitable as an intellectual standard against which all thoughts can be measured. It also developed its’aqīdah (creed) as a comprehensive idea about man, life and the universe. This comprehensive idea was made to solve all man’s complexities and problems, whether internal or external, thus making it suitable as a general standard, automatically used when there arises the link between man’s desires and his mafahim (concepts). Thus Islam established for man, a definitive basis which is a definite criterion for both mafahīm (concepts) and muyul (inclinations) i.e., for the ‘aqliyya (mentality) and the nafsiyya (disposition) at the same time. Thus Islam formed the shakhsiyya (personality), a definite personality, distinct from all others.

Hence we find that Islam develops the Islamic personality by means of the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed)

By this Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) both the ‘aqliyya (mentality) and the nafsiyya (disposition) are formed. Accordingly, the Islamic ‘aqliyya (mentality) is the one that thinks on the basis of Islam, that is, it takes Islam alone as the general criterion for thoughts related to life, and is not merely a knowledgeable or contemplative mentality. Rather, the fact that a person actually and practically takes Islam as the criterion for (judging) all thoughts makes his ‘aqliyya (mentality) Islamic.

As for the Islamic nafsiyya (disposition), it is the one that bases all its inclinations on the basis of Islam, that is, it makes Islam alone the general criterion for all satisfactions and it is not merely ascetic or stringent. Rather, the fact that a person actually and practically makes Islam the criterion for all his drives towards satisfaction makes his nafsiyya (disposition) Islamic. Thus, a person with such a ‘aqliyya (mentality) and nafsiyya (disposition) becomes an Islamic personality, irrespective of whether he is knowledgeable or ignorant, whether he establishes the performance of the farā’id (obligations) and mandūbāt (recommendations) and refrains from the muharramāt (prohibitions) and makrūhāt (reprehensible) acts or he observes over and above these other praiseworthy acts of obedience (mustahabāt) and avoids actions of a doubtful nature (Shubhat), in either case, the personality is Islamic, because anyone who thinks on the basis of Islam and makes his desires conform to Islam is an Islamic personality.

Indeed Islam instructed (the Muslim) to acquire more of the Islamic culture, so that his ‘aqliyya (mentality) matures and becomes capable of evaluating any thought (on the Islamic basis). Islam also demanded the performance of actions beyond the fard (obligation) and the avoidance of actions beyond the haram (prohibitions) in order to strengthen his nafsiyya (disposition) so that it becomes capable of deterring any inclination that Islam does not sanction. All this is (in order) to The Islamic Personality Vol.1 5

enhance his personality and to set it on course, proceeding toward a sublime pinnacle. However, this does not classify those other than it as non-Islamic personalities. Rather, this is an Islamic personality and those other than it from the common people who qualify their actions on the basis of Islam and the educated who confine themselves to performing obligations and refraining from the prohibitions are also Islamic personalities. Although these personalities vary in strength, they all are Islamic personalities. The important criterion in judging whether one is an Islamic personality or not is whether he takes Islam as the basis for his thinking and inclinations. It is according to this that Islamic personalities, mentalities, and dispositions become disparate. Many people err in judgement in envisaging the Islamic personality to be angelic. The harm they cause to society is enormous because they look for angelic figures from amongst people, never finding them; not even in their own selves, resulting in despair and loss of hope in the Muslims. Such idealists only serve as proof to the (false) idea that Islam is utopian, impossible to implement; and is composed of supreme ideals and standards that man cannot implement or maintain. Consequently, they turn people away from Islam and render many too paralysed to act; although Islam came to be implemented in practice and is practical: it deals with and treats realities and it is not difficult to implement. It is within the capacity of every man no matter how weak his thinking and how strong his instincts and needs, to implement Islam upon himself smoothly and with ease after he comprehends the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) and becomes an Islamic personality. This is because by simply making the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) the basis for his mafahīm (concepts) and muyul (inclinations) and maintaining this criterion he definitely becomes an Islamic personality. The only thing upon him thereafter is to strengthen his personality with the Islamic culture to reinforce his ‘aqliyya (mentality) and to strengthen his nafsiyya (disposition) with recommended acts of obedience, placing him on the path to a sublime pinnacle and establishing him on this path, from where he moves from peak to (higher) peak. This is the result of the fact that Islam treated man’s ‘aqliyya (mentality) with its ‘aqīdah (creed) as it made this ‘aqīdah (creed) the intellectual basis upon which he builds his thoughts about life. Thereby he distinguishes correct thoughts from the incorrect ones when he considers thoughts based on the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) and builds them on it in its capacity as an intellectual basis. Thus, he safeguards himself from erroneous and false thought, remaining true in thought, sound in comprehension. Similarly, Islam treated man’s inclinations with the Sharī’ah rules when it treated his actions that emanate from his instincts and organic needs, with a sensitive treatment: regulating the instincts, not harming them by attempting to annihilate them, harmonising them and not leaving them unrestricted; enabling man to satisfy all his needs in a harmonious manner leading to tranquility and stability. Therefore, a Muslim who embraces Islam on the basis of his intellect and evidence implements Islam comprehensively upon himself and correctly understands the rules of Allah , this Muslim is an Islamic personality, distinct from all others. He holds the Islamic ‘aqliyya (mentality) in his placing the Islamic ‘aqīdah as the basis for his thought and the Islamic nafsiyya (disposition) in his making this ‘aqīdah (creed) the basis for his inclinations. Hence, the Islamic personality is characterised with special attributes that distinguish the Muslim and mark him out amongst people; he stands out amongst them like a mole on the face. These attributes which characterise him are an inevitable result of his observing the commands of Allah الله سبحانه وتعالى and His الله سبحانه وتعالى prohibitions and of his acting in accordance with these commands and prohibitions, built upon an awareness of his relationship with Allah الله سبحانه وتعالى Thus, he seeks nothing from his observance of the Sharī’ah except the pleasure of Allah الله سبحانه وتعالى.

When a Muslim achieves the formation of an Islamic ‘aqliyya (mentality) and nafsiyya (disposition), he becomes of those fit for following and leading simultaneously, combining compassion and severity, abstinence and comfort, correctly understanding life: seizing this worldly life by 6 The Islamic Personality allocating for it only its due, and gaining the hereafter by striving for it. Accordingly, he is not dominated by any of the attributes of those who are enslaved to this worldly life nor is he taken by religious monomania or Indian self-denial; when he is a hero of Jihād , he is also the resident of the prayer chamber; when he is a leader, he is also humble. He combines within him leadership and jurisprudence, trade and politics. His most sublime attribute is that he is a servant of Allah الله سبحانه وتعالى, his Creator and Originator. Therefore, you find him humble in his prayer, refraining from futile talk, paying his zakāh, lowering his gaze, protecting his trusts, honouring his pledge; keeping his promise, and performing Jihād in the path of Allahالله سبحانه وتعالى. This is the Muslim, a believer, an Islamic personality, formed by Islam which makes him the best of people. Allah الله سبحانه وتعالى has described this personality in the Noble Qur’ān through a number of ayāt (verse)

when He الله سبحانه وتعالى described the Companions of the Messenger of Allah الله سبحانه وتعالى and when .

He الله سبحانه وتعالى described the believers, when he الله سبحانه وتعالى described the slaves of the Most Gracious and when He الله سبحانه وتعالى described those who perform Jihād. Allah الله سبحانه وتعالى says:

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