Importance of Afʻāl Nafsāniyya (Psychic Functions) in Survival of Individual: A Review in Context of Unani Medicine

Article ID: e310822208308 Pages: 5

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Background: Every living creature needs special Afʻāl (functions) to stay alive. Therefore, Afʻāl is the most important fundamental of the living body. Afʻāl is thought to be the principal target of an individual's existence. In terms of Afʻāl, the two states of the body, Ṣiḥḥat and Maraḍ (health and sickness), are represented. All movements, voluntary or involuntary, sensations, thoughts and memories are included in Afʻāl Nafsāniyya. Some psychic attributes are unique to humans, whereas some higher species of animals exhibit others, and any brain function can be interfered with to cause disease.

Methods: As much as literature was available regarding the same was collected, evaluated and summarised.

Results: For the continuation and maintenance of life, all faculties play their role; none of the faculty can keep the body completely functional on its own. Afʻāl Nafsāniyya (psychic functions) are performed by Quwā Nafsāniyya (psychic faculty). Afʻāl Nafsāniyya equips the body and protects it from hazards, thus playing an important role in the survival of an individual.

Conclusion: When Quwwat Nafsāniyya gets compromised, it affects Quwwat Haywāniyya (vital faculty) and Quwwat Ṭabī'iyya (natural faculty), making survival challenging and as a matter of fact, it may be stated that Afʻāl Nafsāniyya plays a crucial part in the survival of species directly and in continuation of species indirectly. This paper explores the importance of Afʻāl Nafsāniyya (psychological functions) in the survival of an individual.

Keywords: Afʻāl Nafsāniyya, Psychic functions, Quwwat Nafsāniyya

[1]
Rushd AWI. Kitab -ul-Kulliyat (Urdu Translation by CCRUM). New Delhi: CCRUM 1987.
[2]
Raban Ṭabrῑ AHABS. Firdaus-ul-Hikmat (Urdu Translation by Sambhali MAS). New Delhi: Idara Kitabul Shifa 2017.
[3]
Majusi AIA. Kamilus Ṣana’a (Urdu Translation by Kantoori GH). Vol-I, Part1. New Delhi: CCRUM 2010.
[4]
Anonymous . Theories and Philosophies of Medicine (Compiled by Department of Philosophy of Medicine and Sciences). 2nd ed. New Delhi: Institute of History of Medicine and Medical Research 1973.
[5]
Turnbull J, Lea D, Parkinson D. et al. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. International Student’s Edition. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press 2010.
[6]
Dictionary MW. Merriam-webster. Function Available from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/function [Accessed on: 2020 Oct, 20].
[7]
Hornby A-S. Oxford advanced learner’s dictionary. 7th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press 2005.
[8]
Nafis IB. Kulliyat-e-Nafisi (Urdu Translation by Kabiruddin HM). New Delhi: Idara Kitabul Shifa 1954.
[9]
Ibn Sina. Kulliyat-e-Qanoon (Urdu Translation by Kabiruddin HM). New Delhi: Idara Kitabul Shifa 2015.
[10]
Majusi AIA. Kamil Al-Sana‘a (Urdu Translation by Kantoori HGH). Vol. 1. New Delhi: Idara Kitabul Shifa 2010.
[11]
Qamruddin GA. Role of Tadabir-i-Nafsaniyya in Health [Dissertation]. Bengaluru (IND): Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences 2017.
[12]
Basic principles in Greek medicine. Available from: http://www.greekmedicine.net/b_p/Four_Faculties.html [Accessed on: 2019 Nov, 23].
[13]
Arzani HMA. Ikseerul Quloob (Urdu Translation by Baqar HSM). New Delhi: Idara Kitabul Shifa 2019.
[14]
Chandpuri K. Mojiz Al Qanoon. (3rd ed.), New Delhi: CCRUM 1998.
[15]
Kabiruddin HM. Ifada- i- Kabir. New Delhi: Idara Kitabul Shifa 2019.
[16]
Ahmed SI. Introduction to Al-Umur Al-Tabiʻyah. Delhi: Saini Printers 1980.
[17]
Tabri AHABM. Moalajat Buqratiyah (Urdu Translation by CCRUM). New Delhi: CCRUM 1995; p. 1.
[18]
Jalinoos. Kitab Fil Mizaj (Urdu Translation by Rahman HSZ). Aligarh: Ibn Sina Academy 2008.
[19]
Jalinoos. Kitab Fi Firaq Al-Tib (Urdu Translation by Rahman HSZ). Aligarh: Ibn Sina Academy 2008.
[20]
Baghdadi IH. Kitabul Mukhtarat-Fil-Tibb (Urdu Translation by CCRUM). (1st Ed.). New Delhi: Model Offset Works 2005; p. 1.
[21]
Mobbs D, Hagan CC, Dalgleish T, Silston B, Prévost C. The ecology of human fear: Survival optimization and the nervous system. Front Neurosci 2015; 9: 55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2015.00055] [PMID: 25852451]
[22]
Montgomery J. Emotions, survival and disconnection Available from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the embodied mind/201209/emotions-survival-and-disconnection Accessed on: 2020 Nov, 27.
[23]
Conger C. How does your brain impact your survival chances in the wilderness? Available from: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/humanbrain/survival psychology.htm Accessed on: 2020 Nov, 27
[24]
Reed DR, Knaapila A. Genetics of taste and smell: Poisons and pleasures. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci 2010; 94: 213-40.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-375003-7.00008-X] [PMID: 21036327]