A Comparative Study of the Viewpoint of "Self-actualization" from the Holy Quranic Viewpoint and Humanistic Psychology with an Emphasis on the Model of Abraham Maslow

Psychologists of the humanistic school, especially Abraham Maslow, have set the pivotal goal of achieving self-actualization, for providing "the various needs of mankind in its different levels". The Holy Quran which introduces the purpose of the creation of the jinn and mankind as worship and servitude of Allah, “I have not created mankind and jinn except to worship me. (ADH-DHARIYAT: 51, 56)”, according to the four-dimensional structure of the human body, mind, psyche, and spirit, in addition to providing the various physical and emotional needs that are in fact the needs of his belongings, has recognized humans an intimate creature, psychologically. It has introduced him only mentally in need of the Allah: “Oh people, it is you who are in need of Allah. He is the rich, the praised. (FATIR: 35, 15)”. Accordingly, the basic factors of self-actualization of humans has been recognized as faith, citation of Allah, and His Servitude by the Holy Quran. This paper, by descriptive and analytical method, comparatively, has investigated the comparative analysis of opinions in two areas of humanistic interpretation and psychology. It concludes that, although convergence, but there are significant commonalities among the characteristics of self-actualizers according to Maslow’s viewpoint and the revelation signs, the Islamic teachings are different of both quantitative and qualitative orientation with Maslow indicators. Therefore, it can be said that the Maslow’s viewpoint has quantitatively lacks comprehensiveness, and based on the revelation teachings, it has a defect in the realm of the extent in relation to the transcendental part of human; so they don’t play a role in providing the needs and forging self-actualization in human on meeting the basic needs of man by believing in Allah.