The Re-Mapping the Self: An Islamic Conceptualization of Self-Awareness as the Foundation of Emotional Intelligence

Abstract

1.      Abstract

Self-awareness is a central construct in Emotional Intelligence (EI); however, prevailing psychological models often conceptualize it within a secular and material framework that limits the understanding of the human self. This article examines self-awareness exclusively through the lens of Islamic teachings, drawing upon the Qur’an and Sunnah. Using a qualitative and conceptual methodology, the study explores Fiqh al-Nafs (the jurisprudence of the self) as a foundational framework for understanding emotional awareness and regulation in Islam. The Islamic model views the human being as a holistic entity comprising the nafs, qalb, ʿaql, and rūḥ, each playing a distinct role in emotional perception, moral discernment, and spiritual accountability. The study argues that self-awareness in Islam is not merely introspective but ethical and transformative, aiming at tazkiyah al-nafs (purification of the self) and alignment with divine guidance. Emotional intelligence, therefore, is oriented toward moral excellence (ihsān) and success in the Hereafter rather than solely worldly effectiveness. This article provides a theoretical foundation for assessing self-awareness related to EI among Muslim undergraduate students and contributes to the development of an Islamically grounded emotional intelligence paradigm.