Conceptualization of Unhealthy Personality With Emphasis on the Concept of “Naar/ Fire” in the Holy Quran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Corresponding Author, Associate Professor of Psychology at the Research Institute of Hawzah and University, Qom, Iran

2 . PhD Candidate in Psychology at the Research Institute of Hawzah and University, Qom, Iran:

10.22034/qve.2025.18481.1731

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore the concept of “unhealthy personality” (shakhsiyyah nāriyyah) in the Qur’an with a focus on the concept of nār (fire). The importance lies in bridging personality psychology with Qur’anic teachings, particularly in identifying traits that lead to spiritual and moral dysfunction.
Method: A qualitative approach was adopted, using thematic analysis based on the six-step process of Clarke and Braun. All Qur’anic verses containing the word nār were collected, coded, and organized into thematic networks.
Results: Out of 139 verses containing nār, 98 were eligible for analysis. Thematic analysis yielded 39 sub-themes, 4 organizing themes, 2 main themes, and 1 overarching theme. The overarching theme was identified as “forgetting the true self,” which is manifested in two dimensions: forgetting the origin (absence of reflection and remembrance) and forgetting the destination (absence of reasoning and contemplation). These dimensions manifest in sinful behaviors and destructive traits.
Conclusions: The findings show that the Qur’anic concept of “fire personality” represents the unhealthy personality, arising from neglect of both origin and afterlife. This aligns with Islamic narrations and scholarly interpretations. The common ground between Qur’anic and contemporary psychology lies in viewing behavior as the outcome of personality. From a Qur’anic perspective, healthy personality requires connection to divine revelation and avoidance of traits associated with nār.

Keywords

References

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  • Receive Date: 07 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 09 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 28 April 2025

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