Clark Theology College

Theories of Personality and Personality Development

Jihad: Jihad means "to strive or struggle" (in the way of God). Jihad, in its broadest sense, is
exerting one's utmost power, efforts, endeavors, or ability in contending with an object
of disapprobation. Depending on the object being a visible enemy, the Devil, and aspects of one's
own self (such as sinful desires), different categories of jihad are defined. Jihad also refers to
one's striving to attain religious and moral perfection.
Understanding Islam: There are five basic religious acts in Islam, collectively known as The
Five Pillars of Islam, which are considered obligatory for all believers. The Quran presents them
as a framework for worship and a sign of commitment to the faith. Both Shia and Sunni sects
agree on the essential details for the performance of these acts. They are
Shahada (Faith): It is the basic creed of Islam that must be recited under oath with the specific
statement or “I testify that there is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God”. This
testament is a foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. Muslims must repeat
the shahada in prayer, and non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam are required to recite the
creed.

Salat (Paryer): Salat is the Islamic prayer which consists of five daily paryers. Fajir (dawn),
Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (evening), and Isha (night). Muslim must wash before
paryer, this washing is called wudu (purification).

Zakat (Charity): Zakat/ alms-giving is the practice of charitable giving. The word zakat can be
defined as purification and growth because it allows an individual to achieve balance and
encourages new growth. It is the personal responsibility of each Muslim to ease the economic
hardship of others and strive towards eliminating inequality.

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Saum (fasting): Muslims traditionally break their feasts in the month of Ramadan with dates, as
was the recorded practice (Sunnah) of Muhanmma. Rituals fasting, as compensation for
repentance, encourage a feeling of nearness to God, develop self-control/restraint, and think for
the needy.

Haji (Pilgrimage to Mecca): The Haji is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic month of
Dhu al-Hijah to the holy city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make the
pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life. Both men and women are required to make the
pilgrimage to Mecca. After a Muslim make the trip to Mecca, a person is known as a haji/hajja
(one who made the pilgrimage to Mecca).

Islam View on Personal

Purity and Cleanliness: The Muslim must perform an ablution (Purifying/Cleansing) before
each of the five daily prayers. Prayer must be offered with a pure heart and mind, with clean
body and clothes, with pure intentions and on pure ground.

Diet: Diet is important in keeping a pure heart, a sound mind, a healthy body, and a soul bound
for eternity. Islam teaches that God forbids certain foods and drinks. Forbidden foods include
meat of dead animals and birds, flesh of swine, and anything with the invocation of any name
other than that of God.

Clothing and Adornment: The principles of decency, modesty, and chastity govern Islamic
dress. Arrogance and false pride must not be stimulated nor should morality be called into
question or weakened. One’s character must be upheld in clothing and in adoring one’s body.
God condemns men who behave in a women’s fashion and women who behave in a man’s
fashion.

Family Life

Marriage: The Word for marriage in nikah. Marriage and the family are the central in Islamic
life and community. Both the Quran and the Prophet says that when a Muslim Marries, he has
already perfected half his religions, there he must be careful and God fearing with the other half.
Marriage is expected to be permanent.

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Husband-Wife Relationship: Marriage creates new roles for the man and woman. Women have
right as well as duties, but men have a degree over them. The wife has certain specific
obligations. She cannot entertain strange male without the consent of her husband.

Divorce: Islam purposes that marriage be a happy and lasting companionship in harmony and
peace. However, if marriage does not serve its purpose, it may be terminated by divorce. Divorce
is the final course of action.

Status of Women: Wives are seen as subject to the control of their husbands. Generally, Islamic
interpretations hold that the rights and responsibilities of women are equal to those of man, but
they are not necessarily identical with them. Women have certain privileges unavailable to men.
They are exempt from prayer/fasting during menstruation period, attending services. As mother
they have highest recognition in the sight of God. The veil/purdah has been associated with
Muslim women, which is a matter of honor, dignity, purity and chastity. A women’s behavior, in
particular reflects upon her family’s honor and reputation.

Polygamy: Islam permits a man to have more than one wife under certain conditions. That is if a
man who has more than one wife is able to deal/treat them all justly.

Traditional Family Lifestyle: The Muslim family is usually large, strong and closely knitted. It
is usually a patriarchal family with the father as the head and the mother as the home nurturer.
Discipline is strict, and children are taught to respect their parents and elders. Parents often play
an important role in the choice of a vocation and in securing a mate for their children.

Social Life

Greeting and Postures: The traditional greeting is salam alekum (Peace be on you). The
response is we alekum salam (and on you be peace). Greetings are religious obligation. Tradition
is precise about sitting arrangements. When in public worship in the mosque, sitting is on the
floor/carpets. One never exposes the bottoms of one’s feet/shoes towards others. Often the shoe
is removed upon entry of the building.

Virtues and Vices: Muslims are to cultivate social virtues and avoid social vices. Islam does not
condone lying, slander, arrogance, boasting, insult etc. Rather it encourages kindness, generosity,
honoring other, peaceful relations etc. A Muslim should be the first to give greeting and should
restrain anger.

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Islam View of Personality

Muslim Attitude towards God: One of the most distinguishing features of the Muslim is his/her
deep faith in God and his/her conviction that whatever happens in the universe and whatever
befalls him/her, only happens through the will and the decree of God. He/she fells that he/she is
in constant need of the help and support of God. He/She also has no choice in his/her life but to
submit to the will of God, worship, and strive towards the right path and do good deeds. This
type of mentality will guide him/her to be righteous and upright in all his deeds, both in public
and in private.

Muslim Attitude towards Self (Mind, Body and Soul): A Muslim pays due attention to his/her
body’s physical need taking good care of it and promoting its good health and strength. He/she
does this by being active, not eating excessively. He/she also pays attention to his/her personal
hygiene. His/her appearance is always neat and clean. A Muslim also pays as much attention to
his spiritual development as to his/her physical and intellectual development. For this reason, the
life of a Muslim revolves around the worship and remembrance of God, five daily prayers,
fasting the month of Ramadan etc.

Muslim Attitude towards People: With his/her parents, the Muslim is an example of sincere
obedience and love. He/she treats them with kindness and respect, infinite compassion, utter
politeness and deep gratitude. He/she recognizes their status and knows his/her duties towards
them through God command. With his/her children, the Muslim is a parent who understands
his/her great responsibility towards them. He/she pays attention to anything’s that may influence
their Islamic development t and give them a proper education. This is so that they may become
active and constructive elements in the society and be a source of goodness for their parents and
community. With his/her relatives, the Muslim maintains the ties of kinship and knows his/her
duties towards them. He understands the high status given to relatives in Islam.

Conclusion

Like any other religion, Islam as a religion has influenced and impacted the believers in their
personality in many ways. As given in the Quran, it teaches Islam as a system and Muslim as a
people to live with their neighbors illustrating good treatment and consideration of others feeling
and sensitivities. These are the qualities and attitudes that every Muslim strives to make as parts
of their character and personality.

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