The representation of god as the ideal attachment motif in the Qur'an

People have an emotional relationship with many people throughout their lives. The first of these bonds is undoubtedly the attachment between mother and child. The attachment process between the mother and the infant affects the other emotional relationships through the internal working models acquired in this relationship. Exactly, one of these relations is the relationship that one establishes with God. The aim of this thesis is to establish a theoretical framework to base on attachment theory that developed by John Bowlby and whether or not attachment styles that the person as a result of the relationship with his mother can impress the relation with God in the future. Also, it purposed to find out if representation of Allah in the Quran was an ideal attachment figure. In this context, the thesis consists of three main parts. In the first chapter, the concept of attachment was discussed, and John Bowlby's attachment theory was explained. Then, the attachment styles (safe, anxious-ambivalent and avoidant) determined by Mary Ainsworth were explained. Hazan and Shaver, who are affected by Bowlby's idea of attachment behavior from cradle to grave, have been involved in the development of the attachment process in adults. Moreover Bartholomew's study on a different attachment styles in adult was mentioned. Consequently the process of attachment of the person from infancy to adolescence and adulthood is discussed. In the second chapter, the idea of God, which had the most important place in people's ideas during the history of mankind, was tried to be addressed. In this context, the philosophical background of the idea of God was explained in general by explaining what the concept of God representation. Likewise then the representation of God of the important persons who expressed their opinions in psychology was stated. In the last chapter, a comparison is made between the characteristics of an ideal attachment figure that can be secure attachment with the characteristics of Allah, which is envisioned in Quran, based on the ideas of Kirkpatrick, who suggest that it can be studied from the perspective of attachment to the psychology of religion studies. It is seen that the representation of Allah in the Qur'an matches the characteristics of an ideal attachment figure, such as providing the expected proximity, being a safe haven and a secure base, being always reachable, strong and wise. In this respect, it is concluded that God is an ideal attachment figure for those who believe in him. Keywords: Attachment Theory, John Bowlby, The Representation of God, The Representation of Allah.