Abu Zayd al-Balkhi’s Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy of a Ninth Century Physician

Malik Badri

Jan 2013 · International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)

About this ebook

 Al-Balki explains symptoms and treatments giving advice on preventive measures and how to return the body and soul to their natural healthy state. In doing so he displays a keen understanding of the human condition and the medical nature of the human emotional state. An astonishing feat given that many of the conditions he discusses were left largely unknown and untreated for centuries before being clinically defined as such, only as relatively recently as the 20th century. A genius, his insights on human psychopathology as well as diagnoses of psychological ailments including stress, depression, fear and anxiety, phobic and obsessive-compulsive disorders, together with their treatment by cognitive behavior therapy, relate to us in every way and are in sync with modern psychology. Importantly, they also incorporate a greater dimension to include the soul and the worship of God.

Ratings and reviews

Easy to read and beneficial. Alhamdulillah. N.B: One has to be able in distinguishing what is permissible and forbidden approaches of cure according to Al-quran and the Sunnan. 👌🏻🙏🏻

Great book … helps me understand my own emotional responses and those of others.

Incredible book Have read it twice now Will continue to re read it throughout my life as a reminder

About the author

 Malik Badri is Professor of Psychology at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), Malaysia. He is a qualified therapist and the author of a number of books including “The Aids Crisis: An Islamic Socio-Cultural Perspective” (1997). (2000)