Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: This paper proposes a preliminary foundational framework for a theocentric paradigm of psychology grounded in the Quran and Hadith, focusing on the concept of fitrat. It explores some of the basic features of fitrat in the hope that researchers in Islamic psychology may base their work on an alternative framework. In fact, this work emerges from a long standing personal desire for a psychology based on Islamic principles. It is true that Western psychology apparently targets the stability, well being, and happiness of individuals. It is also true that these are worthy goals that Islamic researchers share. However, it is not easy for Islamic researchers to integrate their work with Western psychology—a discipline whose foundations are determinism, an overemphasis on individualism, and secular materialism. As for the method of this research, a logical method based on intuition forms the basis of this work. The linguistic concept of the Language Acquisition Device (LAD)—an innate and established notion—is used to shed light on the Quranic concept of fitrat. Two tables are generated to clearly display the features of fitrat and its relationship with language. Consequently, the ultimate goal of fitrat psychology is the alignment and harmonization of fitrat within and the ḥanīf religion without. Exploring the features of fitrat is the first step toward aligning fitrat with the ḥanīf religion. The ground is now ready for future researchers to experiment with and explore the possibility of this alignment.
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