Malik Badri

The Cognitive Behavior Therapy of A Ninth Century Physician

Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul

Hannah—⁠☆

As he himself put it, “The right approach is to supplement ministrations to the body with those directed to the soul; this is essential.” The benefit is intensified by reason of the interrelation between the two. Man’s constitution is from both his soul and body; there is no conceiving that he may endure, except by their union, giving rise to human actions. The two participate in events, both joyful and sorrowful, and in accidental pain.

With tremendous foresight he includes two chapters on environmental and public health: the first on the importance of having a suitable house, pure water and clean air, and the second on protecting the body by avoiding the extremes of hot and cold temperatures, and by wearing proper clothing. Other chapters include the importance of nutrition, that is proper nourishment with suitable food and drink, good sleep and cleanliness of the body.

Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul The Cognitive Behavior Therapy of A Ninth Century Physician

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