"Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy of A Ninth Century Physician" by Malek Badri:afikra- Nov 11, 2021

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/kzcHEvz-a4Y?si=2Foz-wIP_EG4A65i

In this afikra FWD, Mudassir Azam talked about "Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy of A Ninth Century Physician" by Malek Badri. Mudassir discusses the relationship between the mind and the body, phobias, and notions of depression, anger, and stress.

Mecca Books:Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Of A Ninth Century Physician: Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, Malik Badri (Translator) meccabooks.com

From Masalih al-Abdan wa al-Anfus (Sustenance for Bodies and Souls).

Preserved in the Ayasofya Library in Istanbul is an astonishing manuscript. Written more than eleven centuries ago, by the ninth century CE polymath Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, it tackles mental and psychological disorders which seem commonplace to us today.
Al-Balkhi 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.

PDF: Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Of A Ninth Century Physician: Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, Malik Badri (Translator)

https://iiit.org/wp-content/uploads/AbuZaydal-Balkhi-complete.pdf

YouTube Video: How Muslim Scholars Understood Mental Illness a Thousand Years Ago: Holistic Healing with Dr. Rania Awaad-Yaqeen Institute- December 17,2020

https://youtu.be/RywqNRQpwUA?si=ptwV8qL-SVz3GI_u

Has anyone ever uttered these words to you, “A Muslim is not afflicted with depression?” If so, you are not alone. However, this phrase actually contradicts the teachings of our beloved Prophet ﷺ. It’s important to truly understand the factors that influence mental health illnesses in order to begin healing. In this episode, Dr. Rania Awaad discusses how early Muslim scholars understood the complexities of such illnesses.

YouTube Video:The 1,100-Year-Old Islamic Science to Cure Depression | Abu Zayd al-Balkhi - Where Faith Leads- Feb.20,2026

https://youtu.be/MrxA6StevPI?si=QAbN47tCrQlbdQqD

Depression is not a modern mystery. More than 1,100 years ago, Islamic scholars were already explaining its causes and cure. This video explores the forgotten Islamic science of mental health through the works of Abu Zayd al-Balkhi and the Quran. Long before modern psychiatry, Abu Zayd al-Balkhi developed a systematic understanding of depression, anxiety, fear, and emotional imbalance. He explained how the human mind and body interact, how distorted thinking leads to psychological suffering, and how conscious effort can restore balance. At the heart of this discussion lies a powerful Quranic principle from Surah An-Najm: “And that man will have nothing but what he strives for, and that his striving will surely be seen.” (53:39–40) This verse rejects passive salvation and passive despair. It teaches that inner change begins with striving — a concept that directly challenges the helplessness at the core of depression. When effort, intention, and expectation are aligned, psychological healing becomes possible. The video also examines how this Quranic framework relates to what is today called the “law of attraction.” Unlike modern self-help narratives that promote wishful thinking or manifestation without effort, Islam grounds change in action, responsibility, and alignment with Divine Law (Sunnatullah). One strives for good, acts for good, and expects its outcome from God. Using only authentic and documented sources — the Quran, verified hadith, and classical Islamic scholarship — this documentary-style video presents a grounded, realistic, and intellectually honest approach to mental health.