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

Abstract

Background: Every living creature needs special Afʻāl (functions) in order to stay alive. Therefore, as a result Afʻāl are the most important fundamental of the living body. Afʻāl are 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 others are also exhibited by some higher species of animals and any brain function can be interfered to cause disease state. 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 through their own. Afʻāl Nafsāniyya (psychic functions) are performed by Quwā Nafsāniyya (psychic faculty). Afʻāl Nafsāniyya equip the body and protect it from hazards, thus plays an important role in 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 play a crucial part in the survival of species directly and in continuation of species indirectly. The motive of this paper is to explore the importance of Afʻāl Nafsāniyya (psychological functions) in survival of an individual.