An
attempt has been made in this paper to reveal some of the
fundamental differences that exist between the Islamic approach to
developmental psychology and the Western secular approach. Beginning
with a critique of the epistemological and methodological paradigms
and frameworks of Western social and behavioral sciences in general,
the distinctive Islamic paradigm, which is based on the Tawhidi
episteme, was propounded. Based on this epistemological framework an
attempted exposition of the basic principles of Islamic
developmental psychology was made. With sufficient references from
the Qur'an and Sunnah as the Muslim's Absolute Reference Frame, 39
the fundamental differences between the Islamic and Western
approaches were clearly expounded and illustrated. In a similar
manner, other important issues related to development like the
factors, which affect it, and the phenomenon of individual
differences were discussed and analyzed. This attempt has certainly
suggested a marked deviation from the conventional approach.
A very important element in this Islamic approach which more than
any other thing makes it differ from the dominant Western approach
is the fact that in the former case God's Will is the central and
dominant factor in human development. In the latter case everything
is explained within the limited confines of the nature-nurture
(hereditary and environment) paradigm. This latter approach in view
of the Islamic model is certainly reductionist and cannot lead to
perfect understanding of human nature and development.
Because there are sharp contradictions between the Islamic and
Western models, primarily due to Muslim belief in the
indispensability of the Qur'an and Sunnah, and finally due to the
differences between Muslim and Western societies, it must be
concluded that it is grossly inappropriate to use Western
development theories in Muslim societies. It is also futile or even
absurd to keep upholding the Western theories with all their glaring
weaknesses, inadequacies, and incompatibilities. It therefore
becomes necessary and imperative to propound a more comprehensive
adequate and accurate approach. The Islamic approach is certainly
one for it can assuredly redeem mankind from misery occasioned by
the mechanistic and materialist view of man. It will actually widen
our scope of understanding of human developments without any claim
of perfection.
