THE CONCEPT OF ZUHD ACCORDING TO ḤASAN AL-BAṢRĪ AND IMĀM AL-GHAZĀLĪ

Abstract

This study aims to explore and compare the concept of zuhud according to two prominent figures in classical Sufism, Hasan al-Basri and Imam al-Ghazali. The novelty of this research lies in its comparative analysis of the two scholars’ perspectives, highlighting both their similarities and differences within the historical, spiritual, and ethical contexts of Muslim life. The study employs a descriptive qualitative method with a library research approach, utilizing various literary sources such as books, journals, and relevant scholarly works.

The findings reveal that, according to Hasan al-Basri, zuhud means perceiving the world merely as a bridge to the hereafter, without attachment to material wealth or worldly pleasures. For him, zuhud encompasses an attitude of trust (tawakkul), fear (khauf), and hope (raja’), which complement and balance one another. In contrast, Imam al-Ghazali defines zuhud as complete reliance on what has been decreed by Allah rather than on one’s own possessions. He considers zuhud as a means of purifying the heart, consisting of three essential aspects: knowledge (‘ilm), spiritual state (hâl), and practice (‘amal), each with its own levels and defining characteristics.

The study concludes that, despite living in different historical and intellectual contexts, both Hasan al-Basri and Imam al-Ghazali share a common essence in their teachings: zuhud represents detachment from worldly attachments as a path toward achieving closeness to Allah SWT