THE THOUGHTS OF SAHL AL-TUSTARI IN EXTERNALLY DEVELOPING THE SOUL OF DRUG ADDICTS

Abstrak

The issue of mental illness is increasingly receiving global attention, particularly with the rise in cases involving emotional disturbances, life stress, and mental instability. This spiritual crisis is often associated with various factors such as social pressures, economic problems, and the lack of moral and spiritual support. In Malaysia, the rising statistics of depression and severe anxiety, which contribute to drug addiction, are becoming more alarming, affecting individuals and society as a whole. The increase in cases involving relapse or repeated addiction is rising by nearly 40 to 50 percent each year. In this context, the study aims to examine the relationship between the teachings of Sahl al-Tustari, a prominent Sufi figure, and the practices of former drug addicts who have fully recovered and have not experienced relapse for more than 20 years. The methodology of this study involves content analysis and interviews with former drug addicts who have successfully maintained long-term recovery. The study found that 8 key pieces of advice from Sahl al-Tustari align with the practices of former drug addicts in combating addiction, which are: (i) obedience to Allah’s commands, (ii) seclusion, (iii) seeking forgiveness, (iv) prayer, (v) dhikr (remembrance of Allah), (vi) choosing good companions, (vii) seeking knowledge and (viii) engaging with the Quran. These findings suggest that these spiritual practices not only aid in the recovery process but also can serve as a foundation for developing drug addiction recovery modules. The study recommends integrating a psychospiritual approach based on Sahl al-Tustari's teachings into drug addiction recovery efforts to enhance the effectiveness of existing rehabilitation programs.