سیرت النبی ﷺکی روشنی میں انسانی رویے میں رد عمل کی نفسیات کا تنقیدی جائزہ

Reaction Formation in Human Behaviour: A Critical Analysis in the Light of Sīrah

Abstract

This study critically investigates the psychological mechanism of reaction formation in human behaviour, particularly in the context of conflict, anxiety, and interpersonal discord, through the ethical and practical lens of the Sīrah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). In contemporary societies marred by emotional instability, impulsive aggression, and inadequate emotional regulation, the paper contends that the absence of systemic education on managing reactive behaviours exacerbates social fragmentation. Employing a multidisciplinary methodology—incorporating psychoanalytic theory, behavioural psychology, and Islamic textual traditions—the article analyses how the Prophet's (peace be on him) responses to hostility exemplify the highest standards of emotional regulation and moral restraint. Drawing on various Qur'ānic injunctions, Prophetic sayings, and historical incidents, the paper demonstrates that the Sīrah offers a comprehensive paradigm for understanding
and cultivating emotionally intelligent reactions grounded in patience, forgiveness, and composure. The study also contrasts modern psychological models of defence mechanisms, particularly reaction formation, with Sīrah-based models, highlighting the moral and spiritual superiority of the latter. Conclusively, the article argues that adopting Prophetic strategies of behavioural response is indispensable for fostering social harmony, reducing hostility, and
nurturing spiritually enriched human interactions in Muslim societies. This contribution not only fills a significant gap in Urdu-language psychological literature but also offers practical recommendations for curriculum development, personal counselling, and inter-personal ethics based on the Prophetic model.