The Qur’an and Psychology

This study explores the emotional landscape of the Qur’an through the lens of Plutchik's psychological model of emotions, which categorizes emotions into eight primary types: joy, sadness, trust, anticipation, surprise, disgust, anger, and fear. It identifies how various types of emotions are represented and utilized in different contexts. By applying a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, the study demonstrates the Qur’an’s unique perspective on emotions, offering insights into its approach to emotional expression, regulation, and guidance. The analysis reveals that while Plutchik’s primary emotions are present in the Qur’an, their subcategories differ significantly, reflecting the Qur’an’s divine origin and guidance-oriented objectives. The findings highlight the Qur’an's distinctive emotional framework, which not only confirms but also extends beyond human-centered psychological models, reflecting its divine purpose and focus on holistic human development.

One of the concepts in the Qur’an related to the human psyche is the expression ḍayq al-ṣadr , which describes the tightness of the chest experienced by the Prophet (PBUH) when faced with psychological and social pressures. The verse “And We certainly know that your chest becomes constrained by what they say” (Q. 15:97) not only reflects the challenges of the era of revelation but can also serve as a profound approach to emotion regulation in contemporary life. Previous research has mostly examined this concept in the context of the asbāb al-nuzūl (occasions of revelation) of the verse, leaving a systematic psychological and pedagogical analysis largely unexplored. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method, using exegetical and psychological sources. The findings indicate that ḍayq al-ṣadr , as an emotional-physiological phenomenon, is comparable to situational stress constructs. Qur’anic strategies for addressing this condition—such as tasbīḥ (glorification of God), patience, and cognitive reappraisal of the prophetic mission—align with psychological findings on mindfulness, emotion regulation, resilience, and conflict management. The analysis further highlights four main interpretive perspectives: divine consolation of the Prophet’s heart, recognition of the human limits of prophets, emphasis on the continuity of the prophetic mission, and provision of practical strategies for coping with distress. the paper demonstrates conceptual overlaps between Qur’anic guidance and modern psychology, suggesting directions for educational and counseling applications.