Another unique contribution of Hazrat Imam Ghazali is the treatment for the illnesses of the soul.
Treatments of the souls
Hazrat Imam Ghazali talked about following Islamic treatments:
• Tawba
• Sabr o Shukr,
• Khauf o Rija
• Faqr o Zuhd
• Niyyat o Ikhlaas
• Muhasiba o Muraqiba
• Taffakkur
• Tawhid o tawwakkul
• Shauq o Muhabbat
• Thinking about Death and Aakhirat
Tawba
Tawba is the basic process of the Islamic treatment of mental illnesses. Repentance (tawba) means that one feels regret and, filled with remorse for his or her sins, turns to God with the intention to obey Him. Repentance means regaining one’s essential purity and engaging in frequent self-renewal.
The stages of repentance are:
Feeling sincere remorse and regret.
Being frightened whenever one remembers past sins.
Trying to eradicate injustice and support justice and right.
Reviewing one’s responsibilities and performing obligations previously neglected.
Reforming oneself by removing spiritual defects caused by deviation and error.
Regretting and lamenting the times when one did not mention or remember God, or thank Him and reflect on His works. Such people are always apprehensive and alert so that their thoughts and feelings are not tainted by things that intervene between themselves and God. (This last quality is particular to people distinguished by their nearness to God.)
On sincere repentance, Mawlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi says:
I have repented and turned to God so sincerely That I will not break [the vow of penitence] until my soul leaves my body. In fact, who other than an ass steps toward perdition After having suffered so much trouble (on account of his sins)?
Sabr o Shukr
The next step is Sabr o Shukr, Sabar is much more than mere patience, as a muslim we believe that all problems comes from Allah, so do “Sabar if some one dies but do not leave the hope if you encounter any problem. Sabar is more like persistence, Shukar means thanking Allah for all His blessings but not only when you get any thing but even at that time when you lose some thing. You can find many reasons to say
“Alhamdulliah”
Khauf o Rija
Although it seems pair of two opposites but it has a deep link. Fear of Allah with the hope of “Nijat” and paradise.
Faqr o Zuhd
Surrendering to the Allah, begging all the things From him not on roads and from any one else . Prayers, Zikar Allah heals all the diseases.
Niyyat o Ikhlaas
All actions with good intentions and sincerity are another treatment. All actions are purely for Allah.
Muhasiba o Muraqiba
It means meditation, a state and process of focusing and centering.like meditation of death and grave can avoid an individual from wrong deeds.
Taffakkur
Taffakkur alone is a complete treatment for many illnesses of soul. Thinking about nature, universe, all blessings of Allah purpose of human creation.
Tawhid o tawwakkul
Firm believe that Allah is only one. Unity of Allah’s Worship and only He is my lawyer and beneficial.
Hope (Tawakkul): Tawakkul is greatly associated with worship, as Allah says: “So worship Him (O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)) and have Tawakkul in Him.” “And put your trust in the Living One, Who will never die, and glorify His praises; Sufficient He is, in being aware of the sins of His Ibaad (worshipers).” Therefore to place trust in other than Allah, in matters in which Allah alone can help is Shirk. This applies to all other worships of the heart, like fear, sincerity,
Shauq o Muhabbat
Prayers should include the element of passionate love for Allah and intense devotion along with fear, hope and firm believe.
Thinking about Death and Aakhirat
Also keep an individual from crimes, sins, violence and aggression.
Islamic Model: Summary
• Literalism is to be avoided.
• Literalism comes from juhul.
• The spirit of Islamic Shariat must be grasped.
• This is possible only with knowledge.
• Knowledge of the self leads to knowledge of God
Treatments of the souls
Hazrat Imam Ghazali talked about following Islamic treatments:
• Tawba
• Sabr o Shukr,
• Khauf o Rija
• Faqr o Zuhd
• Niyyat o Ikhlaas
• Muhasiba o Muraqiba
• Taffakkur
• Tawhid o tawwakkul
• Shauq o Muhabbat
• Thinking about Death and Aakhirat
Tawba
Tawba is the basic process of the Islamic treatment of mental illnesses. Repentance (tawba) means that one feels regret and, filled with remorse for his or her sins, turns to God with the intention to obey Him. Repentance means regaining one’s essential purity and engaging in frequent self-renewal.
The stages of repentance are:
Feeling sincere remorse and regret.
Being frightened whenever one remembers past sins.
Trying to eradicate injustice and support justice and right.
Reviewing one’s responsibilities and performing obligations previously neglected.
Reforming oneself by removing spiritual defects caused by deviation and error.
Regretting and lamenting the times when one did not mention or remember God, or thank Him and reflect on His works. Such people are always apprehensive and alert so that their thoughts and feelings are not tainted by things that intervene between themselves and God. (This last quality is particular to people distinguished by their nearness to God.)
On sincere repentance, Mawlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi says:
I have repented and turned to God so sincerely That I will not break [the vow of penitence] until my soul leaves my body. In fact, who other than an ass steps toward perdition After having suffered so much trouble (on account of his sins)?
Sabr o Shukr
The next step is Sabr o Shukr, Sabar is much more than mere patience, as a muslim we believe that all problems comes from Allah, so do “Sabar if some one dies but do not leave the hope if you encounter any problem. Sabar is more like persistence, Shukar means thanking Allah for all His blessings but not only when you get any thing but even at that time when you lose some thing. You can find many reasons to say
“Alhamdulliah”
Khauf o Rija
Although it seems pair of two opposites but it has a deep link. Fear of Allah with the hope of “Nijat” and paradise.
Faqr o Zuhd
Surrendering to the Allah, begging all the things From him not on roads and from any one else . Prayers, Zikar Allah heals all the diseases.
Niyyat o Ikhlaas
All actions with good intentions and sincerity are another treatment. All actions are purely for Allah.
Muhasiba o Muraqiba
It means meditation, a state and process of focusing and centering.like meditation of death and grave can avoid an individual from wrong deeds.
Taffakkur
Taffakkur alone is a complete treatment for many illnesses of soul. Thinking about nature, universe, all blessings of Allah purpose of human creation.
Tawhid o tawwakkul
Firm believe that Allah is only one. Unity of Allah’s Worship and only He is my lawyer and beneficial.
Hope (Tawakkul): Tawakkul is greatly associated with worship, as Allah says: “So worship Him (O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)) and have Tawakkul in Him.” “And put your trust in the Living One, Who will never die, and glorify His praises; Sufficient He is, in being aware of the sins of His Ibaad (worshipers).” Therefore to place trust in other than Allah, in matters in which Allah alone can help is Shirk. This applies to all other worships of the heart, like fear, sincerity,
Shauq o Muhabbat
Prayers should include the element of passionate love for Allah and intense devotion along with fear, hope and firm believe.
Thinking about Death and Aakhirat
Also keep an individual from crimes, sins, violence and aggression.
Islamic Model: Summary
• Literalism is to be avoided.
• Literalism comes from juhul.
• The spirit of Islamic Shariat must be grasped.
• This is possible only with knowledge.
• Knowledge of the self leads to knowledge of God
