How does Islam affect a person from practical, intellectual, and psychological perspectives?

The goal of Islam, since the advent of the Prophet, peace be upon him, is to build a righteous individual, family, and nation. It came as a mercy to the worlds to achieve happiness in this world and the hereafter. Allah Almighty said: "And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds," and He said: "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life."

Islam balances the demands of the soul and the body. It provided the soul with its nourishment through faith and closeness to Allah, and it did not suppress the body's innate instincts; rather, it refined and directed them. It permitted marriage and good things. Allah Almighty said: "Say, 'Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good things, of provision?'" And He said: "Your women are a cultivated field for you... So put forth [good] for yourselves and fear Allah."

Islam encouraged learning, contemplation, and inference, and condemned blind imitation. Allah Almighty said: "And say, 'My Lord, increase me in knowledge.'" And He said: "Say, 'I advise you with only one thing...'" Islam fought superstitions and liberated the mind from myths, aiming to foster a scientific mindset that believes in proof and evidence.

Islam called for gathering and unity, and for abandoning division. It is a religion of alliance, not disagreement. In the Hadith: "The hand of Allah is with the group." And the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Indeed, the wolf eats from the stray sheep." And it commanded the appointment of leaders to manage and administer affairs. It also abolished ethnic and financial distinctions as criteria for superiority, making piety the basis of distinction. Allah Almighty said: "Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you."

Islam gave great importance to the human soul, making human success contingent upon its purification. Allah Almighty said: "And [by] the soul and [by] Him who proportioned it, and inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness." And it emphasized that change begins from within oneself. Allah Almighty said: "Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves," which urges every rational person to strive for self-improvement.