The Model of Divine Self-Awareness: Islamic Concepts of the Soul and Their Relevance to Mental Well-Being and Resilience
International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding June 1, 2026 Itsna Nurrahma Mildaeni, Naura Nuha Firdausi, Dzikria Afifah Primala Wijaya
Self-awareness is a foundation for mental well-being and meaning in life. From an Islamic perspective, it is also a spiritual path toward divine awareness that fosters tranquility, resilience, and emotional balance. This conceptual paper integrates contemporary psychological theories with Islamic spiritual values, drawing on the Qur’an, Hadith, and works of al-Ghazali. It proposes the Model of Divine Self-Awareness, which combines cognitive, emotional, moral, and spiritual dimensions across four stages: muhasabah (self-reflection), tazkiyah al nafs (self-regulation and purification), muraqabah (awareness of God’s presence), and ma‘rifatullah (divine awareness). The model suggests that Islamic self-awareness complements autonomy-oriented positive psychology by centering God as the orientation for well-being, meaning, and resilience, with implications for Islamic psychotherapy.