T HE A RREST OF
H UMAN D EVELOPMENT
FROM BIRTH TO ADULTHOOD;
AN UNCONVENTIONAL APPROACH
CONCERNING AMANA, IMAN,
AS’ S AKINNAH & ISLAMIC MATURITY
INSANIAH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
LECTURE: First yr Medical Students
COURSE: Islamic Revealed Knowledge
OMAR ZAID, M.D. - - Dec 2012 – Mar 2013
Though we have a one-celled body at
conception, it contains all the potential to
develop our body parts and mature features,
waiting only to be realized through a
natural growth and development process.
The physical development a fetus goes
through in nine months parallels the
changes our species has gone through in
millions of years.
The baby has no control over bodily
functions. Its body actions are initially
directed by impulses and instincts. In fact,
most psychologists agree that initially the
baby does not have a sense of differentiation
of itself from the surrounding world.
In the womb, the fetus is, in many ways, at
one with its mother. It is inside of,
connected to, and affected by its mother.
Ontogenesis: The developmental course of an
organism from the fertilized egg through to
maturity. It has been suggested that “ontogeny
recapitulates Phylogeny; i.e. the stages of
development, especially of the embryo, reflect the
evolutionary history of the organism. This idea was
discredited but is now being resurrected.
Phylogenesis: The evolutionary history of an
organism or group of related organisms.
AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ?
“Man is the Measure of all things …” - Protagoras
The true implication is that ‘man’ -- being created
as the vicegerent of Allah -- holds within himself (as
a microcosm) a kind of template or pattern for all
that are in the macrocosm. This is not a
philosophical statement, but rather refers to man as
the created example of excellence.
e.g. Man’s lungs are the exact inverse of a tree, physically and
functionally.
Water is 71% of the earth’s surface. Man contains 75%
water (newborn) and approx. 50% at death in old age.
Liver cells are hexagonal as is the honeycomb
The cochlea of the ear and a seashell
The forms and
processes of
creation are all to
be found within
man.
Honeycomb
Hepatic Cells
Even liver lobules
are hexagonal
Honeycomb & Water Molecules
Inner Ear Hair Cells
The developmental process can be seen
as stages of increasing autonomy,
differentiation and integration
Result: more complex, higher order
wholes, identities, articulations and
unities in diversities.
(integration = Natural expression of
Tauhid = Fitrah at Work)
We see these patterns as physical cells
divide (differentiate) and combine into
body parts (integration);
Mental images form spiritual cells
(mental framework of virtues,
patterns/habit,) causing the formation of
greater unity from diversity (building
individual integrity) and capacity
(autonomy = dignity) into more complex
networks of unity.
The identity of the human body experiences
constant changes, as do the mind and soul.
These are always active, though more or less
so at different times (according to stages of
development).
Certain developments identify/mark different
stages, but the process is continuous.
The body reaches a stage of growth which is
then maintained (maturity) until that body
experiences a gradual decline in physical
health and capacity until death; [We develop
from a stage that is completely fluid (drops of sperm
and ovum) to rigor mortis]
Yet the mind and soul have the capacity to
continue to grow and develop. despite
physical decline.
Comparing Ontogenetic and Phylogenetic
Stages of Human Development ;
Rodney H. Clarken, School of Education,
Northern Michigan University
Given the proper environment, the body
capacities unfold or come into existence
naturally. With proper diet, exercise and
physical care, the body develops naturally to
its full capacity and powers.
After developing a healthy body and sense of
feeling and mind self, we develop our
interactions with others by differentiating and
integrating their ways of being, feeling and
knowing with our own.
The skills and functions of the body can be
consciously used by the mind and soul.
Our focus gradually shifts from a largely
individual ‘self focus’ to a ‘group focus’
[pathology occurs when self-centeredness is
maintained = murder (Cain/Habil)]
Consciousness grows to differentiate self
from non-self
and then differentiates-from and
Integrates-with all other non-selves
The first sense of self is identified with our
body as we begin to exercise and develop
some control over it [the infant grows down
not up during the first year].
Then human consciousness begins to
discriminate feelings and mind as being
separate from the body and initiates a shift
towards personal identity
Pathology also occurs when development is
hurried or rushed. {Give examples?]
Eventually we consider and incorporate all
these ‘created’ forces as our mind expands
until we see outside cultural influences
collectively and reflect and then act upon
these while moving from a predominately
ethnocentric world view to a more individually
defined and personally chosen perspective.
Group or collective pathology occurs ( bias
and tribalism) when such reflective
integration and individual choices to integrate
do not happen  division. [Rome’s Rule of War]
Human Life (Growth and Development) Is a
Gradual Process from stage to stage
Surah 25, Furqaan or The Criterion, Ayaat 2:
He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and
the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a
partner in His dominion: it is He who created all
things, and ordered them in due proportions.
 Stages of Development
every aspect is proportionately graduated.
various phases that all humans must pass through for
each stage . These proportionately designed phases are
what makes human development a gradual process.
Surah 71, Nuh (AS), Ayaat 13-14:
What is the matter with you, that ye place not your
hope for kindness and long-suffering in Allah [trust];
Seeing that it is He that has created you in diverse
stages?
Surah 84, Inshiqāq, The Rending Asunder, Ayaat
19:
Ye shall surely travel from stage to stage.
Al’Quran describes creation as characterized by
p e r f e c t p e a c e a n d h a r m o n y. I t i s t h e r e f o r e o n l y
the hand of man that disturbs the divine order of
development and thus brings about Pathological
deveolment.
Sura 39, Zumar, or the Crowds, Ayaat 6:
He created you (all) from a single person: then created,
of like nature, his mate; and he sent down for you eight
head of cattle in pairs: He makes you, in the wombs of
your mothers, in stages, one after another, in three
veils of darkness.
Surah 40: Mū-min, or The Believer, Ayaat 67:
It is He Who has created you from dust then from a
sperm-drop, then from a leech-like clot; then does he get
you out (into the light) as a child: then lets you (grow
and) reach your age of full strength; then lets you
become old though of you there are some who die before
and lets you reach a Term appointed; in order that ye
may learn wisdom.   The Goal of Maturity
Hence: Mature Muslim Physicians
wish to practice M EDICINE not
M EDI - SIN
The first stage
is the stage of continuous growth and
development from birth to age 33 which
marks the end of youth.
The second stage
is from 33 to 40: the stage of constancy .
The age of 40 is usually considered the
stage at which both physical and
intellectual ability reach maturity.
The third stage
is the stage of mid- or proper adulthood
(al-kuhulah) from 40 to 60 years when we
begin to decline physically and for some
even mentally, though so subtly and
steadily that it can hardly be noticed.
The fourth stage
is from 60 to the end of life. This is old age
and decline (senescence). In this stage,
decline becomes more obvious and
noticeable.
Pattern of Human Growth and Development
Every individual grows and develops from
INITIAL WEAKNESS
TO STRENGTH AND THEN TO WEAKNESS .
In other words,
growth and development follow a certain natural inevitable law
of rise and fall. That is to say that when the individual gradually
reaches the apex of his development, whether physical or
cognitive, he then begins to decline gradually. The Qur'an is very
precise about this:
Surah 30, Rūm, or The Roman Empire, Ayaat 54:
It is Allah Who created you in a state of (helpless) weakness,
then gave (you) strength after weakness, then, after strength,
gave (you weakness and a hoary head.
Surah 46: Al Qaaf, or Winding Sand-tracts, Ayaat 15:
We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did
his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The
carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty
months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength
and attains forty years, he says, 'O my Lord! Grant me that I
may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou has bestowed upon
me, and upon both my parents, and that I may work
righteousness such as Thou mayest approve; and be gracious to
me in my issue. Truly have I turned to Thee and truly do I bow
(to Thee) in Islam.'
This implies that both limits and
patterns are components of
The ‘vital force’ or ‘energy’ granted by
Al’Mussawir to each Human, both
generally and specifically.
But … there are exceptions …
such as Al’Kidir.
A L’M USSAWWIR : the Bestower of Form .
Human Development: Conventional Western Model(s) also describe four stages
Prenatal period
Infancy
Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
From conception
to birth.
birth to 2 yrs.
2 to 11-12 yrs.
11-12 to 19-20
yrs.
20 years ? onward
The child
acquires initial
motor, cognitive,
and social skills
The child
acquires
language and
learns about the
most important
social skills.
approximately 266
days in every
ethnic, racial, or
social group
The child has
reached sexual
maturity but has
not yet taken on
adult rights and
responsibilities.
The individual has
achieved adult
status as
prescribed by the
norms and laws of
a particular society
Islam’s First Stage ends at age 33
Development is a universal principle seen as part of the natural order.
Ordered systematic stages are beginning to be uncovered by evolutionary and
developmental theorists. Comparison and commonalities of these patterns,
use four general stages of individual development as general categories:
33
End of Youth
Beginning of
Adulthood
With full
Maturity at
Age 40
INFANCY, CHILDHOOD, ADOLESCENCE AND ADULTHOOD
B UT THERE IS A PARALLEL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS THAT SCIENCE IGNORES
COMPLETELY AND WHICH A DVOCATES OF I SL AMIC M EDICINE MUST BEGIN TO RESTORE :
Mineral
NO LIFE

atoms
differentiate and
form simple
molecules that
congeal or
crystallize into
inorganic units
that comprise
NON-LIVING
building blocks
of substance.
Inanimate Passive
Macroscopic Life
Cycle Directly
Related to Cosmic
Cycles and Forces
Plant
MATTER
ENLIVENED 
Animal
Human
VOLITIONAL
VOLITIONAL ,
BUT LIMITED TO
NOT LIMITED
INSTINCT AND
IS MOBILE
seed sprouts 
grows flowers,
bears fruit
(food) and
regenerates seed.
Passive - Slow
TO INSTINCT, IS
MOBILE .

development is
similar to that of
humans but
animals are more
specialized in
their physical
characteristics.
Active - Quick
Adamic version
is the end.
No further
development till
post-Judgement
Day
Active – Quick
Passive - Slow
Progression from lower to
higher ordered systems __
The present developmental challenge is to restore the life of the sacred, to de-secularize
knowledge by demonstrating the Knowledge of the Unseen
= Revealed Knowledge. - Imran Hosein
Mineral
Plant
Kingdom
Life force
Nafs
Plant
Kingdom
Animal
Kingdom
Soul
HUMAN KINGDOM:
Sum of all
Contains all
Animal
Kingdom
Spirit
(Intellect)
Vicegerent of all
Human
Kingdom
H UMAN
M AN
IS FAR MORE THAN A MOBILE MINERALIZED SYSTEM
T HE
Hence, goal of
human development
is VICEGERENCY
P URPOSE OF M ATURIT Y
W E ARE FAILING TO M AINTAIN THE D IVINELY I NTENDED P ERFECT O RDER
In 1950, Erik Erikson described eight stages of the human life cycle, from infancy to old age,
Each stage is marked by a crisis that must be resolved before continuing to the next stage.
The seventh stage is middle adulthood (40-65), has as its conflict GENERATIVITY STAGNATION ,
referring to a person's ability to care for others.
Physical & Meta-Physical Potency
The most important event in this stage is parenting.
Does the adult have the ability to care and guide the next generation?
According to Erikson, "A person does best at this time to put aside thoughts of death and
balance death’s certainty with the only happiness that is lasting:
Which is this: to increase, by whatever is yours to give, the good
will and higher order in your sector of the world."
Generativity can also be seen at work;
individuals are more likely to become mentors and leaders and begin to think about
succession planning if the work calls for it. AND Brothers that's it ! – The true goal …
HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Kutbah by Dr. Zakir Kapadia
KEY CONCEPT IS ONE’S SENSE OF SELF WORTH OR VALUE = DIGNITY -- [INVIOLABLE IN ISLAM]
INDEED: WE ALL MUST ALL ASK THE QUESTIONS:
SELF-ESTEEM: WESTERN CONCEPT
WHAT GOOD AM I , AND HOW DO I MEASURE THAT WORTH ?
Comparative
Characteristics
GOAL
Erikson’s
Stages
Stage

Does the adult have the ability to care for and guide the next
generation? Mohd (wslm) said last generations the worst so
the implication is that present generations are failing.
Ego Crisis
Age
Positive Outcome: Cognizant of
A SK & A NSWER :
W HO Am I … Where do I belong
W HAT Can & Will I do …
W HO do I belong to ??
GROWTH
& W HY ? for all …

1
Trust vs. Mistrust
0-1 
HOPE
Trust (Amana) affirms pre-incarnate covenant w Allah swt…
2
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
2-3 
WILL
Will conforms to social role & initial identity …
3
Initiative vs. Guilt
3-5
PURPOSE
Role/identity confirmed but within social limits = hierarchy
4
Industry vs. Inferiority
5-12 
5
Identity vs. Role Confusion
ADOLESCENCE  Fidelity
6
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Young Adult  LOVE
7
Productivity vs. Stagnation
Adulthood
8
Integrity vs. Despair

Maturity
COMPETENCE
Appropriate skills for learning attained = strengthening …
Appropriate skills for applying one’s will attained … “
Search for adult identity, role & position - initial provision
 CARE

----------------------------------------(Source: Based on E. H. Erikson, Childhood and Society, 1950.)
M IDDLE A GE C RISIS (45 – 60)
= Arrested Development (Pathological)
WEAK
W IS DOM
STRONG
Assertion of Skills , Position and Responsibility - provision
STRONGER
Guidance given to young providers (60 - ?) - provision
WEAK AGAIN
? – Death = senescence, for some it is ‘second childhood’
Repeated cyclic trials for clarification & confirmation in each stage
ISLAM: DEFINITE SOCIAL HIERARCHY BASED ON MORALITY & ETHICS
__ goals are to attain and transmit guidance for success
both here & hereafter. Islamic views on Human
development are based on Revealed Knowledge and
traditional wisdom (Adat) - - NB: Traditional Judeo-Christian Western values have been
systematically overturned to exclude Revealed Knowledge in all
Political and Educational forums (Humanism: Protocols of Iblis)
Secular Humanism is Satanic & makes a Mockery of Scripture - Much the same may be said of Secular Muslims now as they follow
the West down the Lizard’s Hole.
Essentially the young adult is learning to be
mature while acquiring knowledge, skill and
excellence through practice. (habit)
He/she is searching for competence and
clarification of purpose through developing
clarity of thought and perception with the
‘insight’ that comes only via Revelatory
Knowledge. Dunya can be distraction = dajjal
They are ‘Caregivers’ on the way to become
‘Wali’ or ‘Protectors’ of the Divine Kingdom.
The World Health Organisation defines the end of adolescence as age 24 and the early
twenties as its final phase. Adolescence is a metamorphosis and sexual maturation process
that begins at puberty. Near the age of 21 we prepare to leave the home and identify the
urge to propel ourselves out of the familial orbit into another world. This is a ideation
imposed by Western hegemony and it undermines the divine order and role of the Islamic patriarchal
family and community.
This ‘leaving of the family’ is a MODERN, POST INDUSTRIAL, MONETIZED CONVENTION of the West and
does not necessarily define either success or progress in moral or ethical terms.
T RADITIONALLY, FAMILIES STAYED TOGETHER - - As Islam defines the ‘End of Youth’ @ age 33, and
if one is still considered a ‘Youth’ until then, why have Muslims strayed so far from traditional
knowledge & Parental reach to hold positions of political and/or professional responsibility.
Answer: Often they do it in the cause of idealized liberty and monetary gain.

Deviation
Result: Increasing social chaos advancing the ‘Cause of Iblis’ [e.g. 25 yr old PhDs]
The word ‘A DOLESCENCE ’ defines a period of intense physical growth, social
awkwardness, and the sexually-charged, emotionally driven REDIRECTION OF HUMAN WILL
AND INTELLECT TOWARDS THE JUDGMENT OF SELF & OTHERS = PEER PRESSURE . If the child is
left to wonder un-restrained and un-guided, or if the child is hurried or marred by insult
to their developing sense of integrity, ther deviation and/or the LOSS OF TRUST become
integrated in a concrete worldview that inhibits further Islamic maturation = this is
arrested development.
I N THE PAST, THE MATURING YOUTH WOULD FEAR TO LEAVE HIS FATHER ’ S PROTECTION BECAUSE
HE KNEW H E WAS NOT YET PREPARED TO FACE THE WORLD. Didn’t trust himself ? - Concept of Wali
S EXUALITY & A MANA
Eros Only
Think of the Brain as a receiver transmitter for the soul:
• its components are pre -programmed
 
• these components may be fine -tuned by
education and habit;
• both the latter are determined by adult
behavior and example = instruction;
• The ‘fine-tuning’ is therefore dependent
initially by parental caregivers;
• Quality of Parental ‘care -giving’ is
dependent on four factors:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Quality
Quality
Quality
Quality
of
of
of
of
their education;
self-ref lection (taffakur);
their marriage;
corrective actions.
• These Quality factors all depend upon T RUST
factors that are placed in a ‘Qualified
Leadership’ that should provides as’ sakinnah’
(peace & security’ from cradle to grave, which
is the Purpose of Islam.
• Trust is the foundation of marriage, and
Trust is first manifest and taught to infants
through the sense of touch.
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT = EITHER INSECURITY
OR PROUD IGNORANCE
FEAR plus NEGATIVE EMOTIONS and JUDGMENT are
autonomously switched off: Why?
Marriage is meant to be a bed of trust wherein half-thedeen of Islam is completed. That’s how important love,
marriage & trust are.
But when trust is misplaced, all hell breaks loose and
human development -- individually and corporately -- is
arrested. (Harut & Marut?)
AMANA:
IMAN
&
THE SENSE OF TOUCH *
“Say: Sufficient for me is Allah, in Him those who trust must put their trust.”
What is trust but the human belief in what and who will be of benefit to them?
But without touch we cannot bequeath the trust of As-Sakkinah (peace and security) to
our descendents because in its absence there are no descendents. This is because sexual
stimulation and response can be achieved without sight, sound, smell, taste and even
pleasure — but not without touch. **
The gesture of touching hands affirms a mutual promise to preserve As-Sakkinah (peace and security)
The real meaning and purpose of the affectionate gesture is to acknowledge the reaffirmation of our
trust in God with the bi-lateral pleasures and joys of zawaj.
The Byatt of touch begins with birth and leads to marriage which forms the sacred mosque or holy bed of
the Islamic Community.
The ongoing universal celebration of Al’Byatt Zawaj honors the dignity and essential importance of
the obligations and rights that make house, home, bed--and by extension, community--a most
pleasant refuge of peace and security in recognition of the couple’s submission to Allah.
The Prophet said: "One cannot truly be a Muslim until he/she desires for their neighbor what they
desire for themself.” It happens that your spouse is your nearest neighbor.
The Chief Goal of all Human development is to actualize this love of one’s neighbor.
•The Taqua Of Marriage: by Omar Zaid, M.D.; AS Noordeen, KL, Malaysia, 2011
•**Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology: Erwin J. Haeberle, Ph.D., Ed.D.,
The Atlas, 1983, The Continuum Publishing Company, 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022
“A human being is not a human being while his tendencies include self indulgence, covetousness, temper and attacking other people [gossip]...
A child has no real knowledge of the attainments of an adult. An
ordinary [common] adult cannot understand the attainments of a
learned man. In the same way, an educated man cannot yet understand
the experiences of enlightened saints or Sufis.”
- Al’Ghazali
When an infant emerges from the womb it
immediately seeks to confirm the virtue of
trust in its caregivers in order to instinctively
affirm, validate and incorporate trust as its
own quality of soul.
The babe seeks this trust because it desires to
confirm its inherent knowledge and faith in God
-- “AM I not your Sustainer?” (Qur’an 7: 172-3)
Essentially, when the developing human
Encounters any dilemma that presents
Without a qualified solution born of
both reason and Revealed Knowledge,
such persons cry out for an answer much
as the infant cries for milk and the child
for meat.
No answers are found in injustice, since
justice represent the ‘walls’ of Islam.
Iman will deviate to the same extent the child’s He3nce, when injustice reigns, the cries
continue and human development is
cries go unanswered or poorly attended to
arrested.
throughout it’s journey to adult maturity.
WITH TRUST ALL VIRTUE IS POSSIBLE
WITHOUT TRUST, ALL DEVIATION AND EVIL IS INEVITABLE
The infant is overwhelmed by helplessness and therefore seeks assurance it will
come to no harm as it naturally fears separation from God.
Not that the infant or child consciously fear hell, but more correctly speaking, the
developing Human fears separation from what is good; which directly infers God
and this can be summed up in one word: A BANDONMENT.
Abandonment is also the greatest fear of married women = removal of peace & Security
infant’s (DEVELOPING HUMAN) faith and trust is therefore
primordially placed in Allah and not the parents.
The parents are mere stewards of the ‘Trust Fund’
The initial mediator of trust is an intricate nerve system that
also lies within the skin. No matter how well they are fed, babies
will develop slowly or sicken and die without the mediation of skinto-skin contact.
the entire body and has especially developed mechanisms within
the folds of its several layers that hold the sexual organs; all of
which are derived from the ectoderm of the developing leech-like
embryo (seen at right).
H ENCE :
SUCCESSFUL M ARRIAGE ; THE PERSONAL SENSE & PL ACEMENT OF TRUST ; THE GROW TH &
M AINTENANCE OF I MAN ; THE E STABLISHMENT & P ROTECTION OF P EACE & S ECURIT Y AS WELL
AS M ATURE H UMAN D EVELOPMENT ARE I NTERDEPENDENT & INSEPARABLE
Unfortunately, at the extreme negative end of this continuum
that begins with conception, children subjected to prolonged
and ongoing absence from the mother combined with critical
uncaring attitudes are indelibly insecure and cannot learn to
trust anyone, including themselves.
Such pathologically arrested development causes deviations
characterized by mistrust (fear) and include paranoia; sexual
perversity; dysfunctional personalities and anti-social and/or pseudo-autistic
predispositions with a lack of empathetic compassion for others. These and other
social dysfunctions are now in evidence globally accompanied by pre-occupations
with personal development for gain:    the selfishness of Khabil = the Cain’s
of Wall Street, Government House and even street gangs.
This indicates that Present Human Development under the influences of Secular
Humanist Materialism is successfully geared towards raising self-centered immature
souls with unhealthy bodies and dysfunctional and/or perverted sexuality due to an
endemic lack of Amana (trust-worthiness).
Take Home Lesson:
T HE LACK OF A MANA C AUSES A RRESTED D EVELOPMENT
I NDIVIDUALLY AND COMMUNALLY
W HY COMMUNALLY ?
The lack of trust carries over to all realms of human relations and manifests in the
withholding of truth and overt lying.
Families and Communities breed and protect liars when mistrust (fear) maintains
pretentious attitudes of politically-correct ‘politeness’ that forbids disclosure and
prevents forthright confrontations of significant conflicts that when faced honestly
would lead to justice (Walls of Islam): this is what traditional Islam called adab.
Adab is the science of identifying people places and things according to their
characteristics, functions and purpose.
Adab IS FAR MORE THAN THE ART OF POLITICALLY CORRECT DIPLOMACY --it is labeling things as they are …
which is what prophet’s did as they followed the sunnah of Adam.
All politically correct liars (hypocrites) hated them.
TAKE H OME L ESSON & S UMMARY
When trust is absent lies and liars are kings, thus making injustice the norm and
competition rather than cooperation the anti-social moral consensus.
All of this causes arrested ‘human’ development so that both individuals,
communities and nations fail to mature according to the Divine Scheme.
Thank you kindly
May Allah be Praised & Obeyed