SPIRITUAL VALUES OF PRAYER IN AL-GHAZALI’S THOUGHT AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL LIFE

Zainal Abidin abidin; Fakhrul Razie

doi:10.61992/jiem.v8i2.326

Zainal Abidin abidin STIT Muhammadiyah Aceh Barat Daya
Fakhrul Razie STIT Muhammadiyah Aceh Barat Daya

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61992/jiem.v8i2.326

Keywords: Prayer, Al-Ghazali, Islamic Spirituality, Spiritual Values, Mental Well-being

Abstract

Prayer (ṣalāh) occupies a central position in Islamic religious life and represents one of the most fundamental pillars of worship. Beyond its ritual dimension, prayer contains profound spiritual meanings that contribute to the formation of ethical behavior, emotional balance, and spiritual awareness among believers. In Islamic intellectual history, scholars have extensively discussed the spiritual dimensions of prayer, particularly within the tradition of Sufism. Among these scholars, Imam Al-Ghazali is widely recognized as one of the most influential thinkers who integrated Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and mysticism into a comprehensive framework of spiritual development. This study aims to analyze the spiritual values embedded in prayer from the perspective of Al-Ghazali and to examine the relevance of these values for contemporary spiritual and psychological life. The research employs a qualitative approach using a library research method. Primary data were obtained from Al-Ghazali’s classical work Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, while secondary data were collected from scholarly books and peer-reviewed journal articles related to Islamic spirituality and psychology of religion. The data were analyzed using descriptive and interpretative analysis. The findings reveal that Al-Ghazali views prayer not merely as a formal religious obligation but as a comprehensive spiritual discipline aimed at purifying the soul and strengthening the relationship between humans and God. Essential spiritual values in prayer include sincerity (ikhlas), presence of heart (hudhur al-qalb), humility (khushu’), remembrance of God (dhikr), and the balance between fear and hope (khauf and raja’). The study concludes that Al-Ghazali’s teachings on prayer remain highly relevant for contemporary life, as prayer functions as a transformative spiritual practice that fosters moral character, emotional resilience, and psychological well-being.

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