THE THERAPEUTIC ROLE OF THE EXTERNAL SENSES IN MUFARRIḤ AL-NAFS

Abstract

The external senses—sight, audition, olfaction, gustation, and tactility—have long been recognized as vital mechanisms for engaging with the world, facilitating cognitive development, and contributing to overall wellbeing. In Mufarriḥ al-Nafs, a 13th-century Arabic medical treatise presumably authored by Ibn Qāḍī Baʻalbak, the senses are presented as integral to the holistic understanding of health in the Islamic medical and philosophical tradition. This study investigates how Mufarriḥ al-Nafs conceptualizes sensory perception not only as a physiological process but also as an essential component of psychological balance, offering a nuanced model for integrating sensory health into broader frameworks of wellbeing. Emerging from the recognition of the limitations inherent in modern psychological paradigms, which often emphasize materialistic and reductionist views of psychological health while neglecting spiritual dimensions, this study seeks to uncover a comprehensive yet under-explored manuscript on psychospiritual wellbeing from the Islamic civilization. Employing textological and thematic analyses, the findings reveal an integrative approach to cultivating delight (farḥ) through prescriptions for sensory and physiological modalities such as music, fragrance, diet, and physical exercises. Central to these prescriptions is the alignment of sensory experiences with the soul’s natural inclinations to restore balance and achieve psychological harmony, underscoring the interconnectedness of the internal and external dimensions of health as essential components of holistic wellbeing. By advancing the understanding of psychospiritual wellbeing, this study aspires to inspire further research and practical application in the fields of psychology, medicine, and spiritual care.