The Islamic Personality by Sheikh Taqīuddīn An-Nabahānī

When man recognises or comprehends things in a particular manner, he acquires a specific ‘aqliyya (mentality). When the drives for satisfaction which have crystallised through their inevitable association with the mafahīm (concepts) about things are linked by man with specific concepts about life, he achieves a specific nafsiyya (disposition). And when his concepts about life unite in judging things when he cognises them as well as when he inclines towards things, he achieves a specific shakhsiyya (personality). Thus shakhsiyya (personality) is the setting of the direction one takes in cognising things and in inclining to them in a clear direction built on one basis. Thus the formation of the shakhsiyya (personality) is the establishment of one basis for both thinking and inclinations in man. Such a basis may be one or multiple. If it is multiple, that is, if multiple guidelines were made the basis for thinking and inclinations, one would have a shakhsiyya (personality) but it would have no colour to it. If the standard was singular, that is, if one principle was made the basis for thoughts and inclinations, one would have a unique personality with a specific colour. This is what every human being should be like, and this is what he should endeavour to achieve in the process of teaching and culturing individuals.

Although any general idea can be a basis for thinking and inclinations, such an idea can only be a basis for a limited number of things, not for all things. Nothing qualifies to be a complete basis for all things except a comprehensive idea about the Universe, Man and Life. This is because it is the intellectual basis upon which every thought is built; it determines every viewpoint in life. And because it is the intellectual creed only which is fit to serve as a basis upon which thoughts which regulate life’s matters and affect man’s conduct in life.

Nonetheless, the fact that the comprehensive idea, that is, the intellectual ‘aqīdah (creed), is acceptable as the only general and comprehensive basis for thinking and inclinations does not mean that it is the correct basis. What it means is that it is fit to be a basis, irrespective of whether it is correct or incorrect. The determining factor of whether this basis is right or wrong is its degree of compatibility with man’s fitrah (innate nature). If the intellectual creed is compatible with man’s fitrah (innate nature) it would be a correct creed and consequently it would be a correct basis for thinking and inclinations, that is, for the formation of shakhsiyya (personality). If incompatible with man’s fitrah, this represents an incorrect basis and would be a false creed. The incompatibility of such an ‘aqīdah (creed) with the human fitrah means recognition of the natural impotence of man and the need of dependency on the Creator that lies within man’s fitrah, meaning its compatibility with the ghareezat at-tadayyun ((human) instinct of sanctification).

The Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) is the only intellectual creed that acknowledges what is in man’s fitrah, namely the ghareezat at-tadayyun (instinct of sanctification). All other creeds are either compatible with the ghareezat at-tadayyun (instinct of sanctification) through emotion not ration, thus being non-intellectual creeds or they are intellectual creeds but do not acknowledge what is in man’s fitrah, the ghareezat at-tadayyun (instinct of sanctification).

Therefore, the Islamic ‘aqīdah is the only correct ‘aqīdah (creed). It is the only ‘aqīdah (creed) that is fit to be the correct basis for thinking and inclinations. Hence, it is imperative that the formation of shakhsiyya (personality) by man be done through the use of the intellectual ‘aqīdah (creed) as the basis for his thought and inclinations. Since the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) is the only correct intellectual ‘aqīdah (creed) and thus the only correct basis, it is imperative that the formation of shakhsiyya (personality) be done by making the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) alone the sole basis for man’s thought and inclinations until he achieves an Islamic shakhsiyya (personality), a lofty and distinct shakhsiyya (personality). Thus, the formation of the Islamic shakhsiyya (personality) is only accomplished by building both thought and inclinations of the individual upon the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed). Yet this formation is not ever lasting, it is merely the formation of the shakhsiyya (personality). There is no guarantee that this shakhsiyya (personality) will remain based on the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) since deviation from the ‘aqīdah (creed) may occur in man’s thinking or in his inclinations. This deviation may be in the form of dhalaal (misguidance) or in the form of fisq (transgression). Therefore, constant observance at every moment in one’s life is required in maintaining the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) as the basis upon which thought and inclinations are built in order for one to remain an Islamic shakhsiyya (personality). After the formation of this personality, work is focused on developing and strengthening it by developing the ‘aqliyya (mentality) and nafsiyya (disposition). As for the nafsiyya (disposition), it is developed through worshipping the Creator and drawing nearer to Him through acts of obedience and by constantly building every inclination towards anything only on the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed). Development of the ‘aqliyya (mentality) on the other hand is achieved by the explanation of thoughts and ideas built on the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed) and conveying them through the Islamic culture.

This is the method for forming the Islamic shakhsiyya (personality) and the method for developing it. It is the method employed by the Messenger ﷺ. He would call the people to Islam by calling them to (adopt) the Islamic ‘aqīdah (creed). Once they had embraced Islam he strengthened this ‘aqīdah (creed) in them and ensured that they were committed to building their thinking and inclinations on its basis, This has been reported in the hadīth,

And,

He الله سبحانه وتعالى then proceeded to convey the ayāt of Allah الله سبحانه وتعالى that were being revealed to him from the Qur’ān and and to teach Islam and its ahkām (rules) to the Muslims. As a result of his efforts, and through following him and adhering to what he conveyed, lofty Islamic personalities second only to those of prophets were formed.

In conclusion, the starting point with any human being is establishing the correct ‘aqīdah (creed)

within him followed by the building of thought and inclinations upon it and finally exerting effort in maintaining it through the performance of acts of obedience and by acquiring (Islamic) thoughts