Interpreting the Final Part of Verse 18 of Surah Al-Kahf through Twenty-First-Century Psychological Concepts

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the interpretation of the final part of Verse 18 of Surah Al-Kahf as understood by classical exegetes of the medieval period and as reinterpreted through contemporary psychological concepts in the twenty-first century. The qualitative approach was adopted to trace the exegetical course of the verse and to discuss it in light of scientific advances in modern disciplines and in relation to the Quranic text itself. God Almighty says: “Had you looked at them, you would have turned and fled from them, and you would have been filled with terror.” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18). The verse highlights three elements: perception, flight, and fear - corresponding to three principal components of the human psyche: knowledge, inclination /will, and emotion. Thus, “Had you looked at them” refers to knowledge; “you would have turned and fled” refers to inclination; and “you would have been filled with terror” corresponds to emotional affective experience.