Spiritual Equilibrium: Syaikh Abdurrauf Singkel’s Concept of Tazkiyat al-Nafs

Nur Hadi Ihsan; Allan Muhammad; Muhammed Nur Kaplan; Arif Afandi Zarkasyi

doi:10.21580/tos.v14i1.26301

Authors

Nur Hadi Ihsan Department of Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Darussalam Gontor Ponorogo, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7037-8891
Allan Muhammad Department of Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Darussalam Gontor Ponorogo , Indonesia
Muhammed Nur Kaplan Department of Sufism, Islamic Philosophy, and Education, Faculty of Ilahiyat (Islamic Sciences), Karabük Üniversitesi, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8075-6497
Arif Afandi Zarkasyi 4Department of Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Darussalam Gontor Ponorogo, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21580/tos.v14i1.26301

Abstract

The pursuit of worldly abundance and immersion in fleeting pleasures has quietly shaped the spirit of contemporary society, leading to a subtle yet profound imbalance within the human soul. By placing transitory possessions and temporal delights at the center of life's purpose, these tendencies have contributed to a deep spiritual estrangement. This study examines Syaikh Abdurrauf Singkel's concept of Tazkiyat al-Nafs (soul purification) as a comprehensive spiritual framework for restoring harmony between the material and the spiritual. Drawing upon Singkel's Sufi teachings, this research explores how his methodology offers a pathway toward Insān Kāmil (the perfect human)—a being who integrates worldly responsibilities with elevated spiritual consciousness. Employing a qualitative-descriptive approach through library research, the study analyzes Singkel's seminal works, including Tanbīh al-Mashyī, Mir'at al-Ṭullāb, Daqāiq al-Ḥurūf, and 'Umdat al-Muhtājīn. The findings reveal how classical Islamic spiritual disciplines—dhikr (remembrance of God), muhāsaba (self-reflection), muraqaba (divine vigilance), and tawakkal (trust in God)—serve as an enduring guide to addressing the restlessness born of excessive worldly attachment and the allure of transient joys, offering a balanced and timeless path toward inner peace in the modern age.

Contribution: This study reintroduces Syaikh Abdurrauf Singkel’s concept of Tazkiyat al-Nafs as a spiritual response to the prevailing pursuit of worldly abundance and immersion in fleeting pleasures, offering a practical Sufi framework rooted in Islamic tradition to guide individuals toward Insan Kamil in today’s consumer-oriented society.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adlina, Atika Ulfia, Zaizul Abd Rahman, Muhammad Sakdullah, Dewi Aisyah, and Ferizka Rizky Al Amin. “Tazkiyat Al-Nafs as Resilience Strategy to Deal with the Post-Pandemic Recession among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Actors.” Teosofia: Indonesian Journal of Islamic Mysticism 12, no. 1 (2023): 41–60. https://doi.org/10.21580/tos.v12i1.14437.

Al-Asfihani, Ar-Raghib. Al-Mufradat fi Gharib al-Qur’an. 1st ed. Beirut: Maktabah Nazar Musthafa al-Baz, 2009.

Al-Attas, Syed Muhammad Naquib. Ikhtisar Ilmu Peri Dan Pandangan Alam. 3rd ed. Malaysia: Ta’dib Internasional, 2019.

———. Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam. Kuala Lumpur: International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), 1995.

———. The Mysticism of Hamzah Fansuri. Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya Press, 1966.

Al-Bantani, Nawawi. Salalim Al-Fudhala (Tangga-Tangga Kemuliaan). Indonesia: Pustaka Mampir, 2006.

Al-Fairuzabadi. Al-Qamus al-Muhith. 3rd ed. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1301.

Al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad. Ihya’ Ulum Al-Din: Kebangkitan Kembali Ilmu-Ilmu Agama. Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Book Trust, 2015.

———. Ihya’ Ulumuddin. 1st ed. Beirut, Lubnan: Dar Ibnu Hazm, 2005.

Al-Jawziyyah, Ibnu Qayyim. Madarij as-Salikin. 2nd ed. Beirut: Dar Ihya’ at-Turath al-Arabi, 1998.

Al-Jilani, Abdul Qadir. Al-Fath ar-Rabbani. 1st ed. Misr: Maktabah al-Qudsi, 1994.

Al-Mawardi, Abu Al-Hasan. An-Nukat wa Al-Uyun Tafsir al-Mawardi. 5th ed. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-’Ilmiyyah, 1993.

Ali, Hasan. “The Spiritual Practices of Abdurrauf Singkel in the Context of Tazkiyatun Nafs.” Journal of Islamic Spirituality 11, no. 1 (2022).

Amin, Syamsul Munir. Ilmu Tasawuf. Jakarta: Amzah, 2012.

Ar-Razi, Muhammad Fakhruddin. At-Tafsir al-Kabir wa Mafatih al-Ghaib. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1995.

Arroisi, Jarman. “Spiritual Healing dalam Tradisi Sufi.” TSAQAFAH 14, no. 2 (November 27, 2018): 323–48. https://doi.org/10.21111/tsaqafah.v14i2.2459.

Arroisi, Jarman, and Erva Dewi Arqomi Puspita. “Soul Restoration in Islamic Tradition (Ibn Tufail’s Perspective of Tazkiyya an-Nafs Model).” Jurnal Ushuluddin 28, no. 2 (December 31, 2020): 170. https://doi.org/10.24014/jush.v28i2.10990.

Aslam, Muhammad. “The Qur’anic Concept of Tazkiyatun Nafs and Its Relevance in Modern Times.” Al-Bayan: Journal of Qur’anic Studies 7, no. 2 (2021). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/albayan.v7i2.2021.XXXX.

Asy’arie, Musa. Dialektika Agama Untuk Pembebasan Spiritual. Yogyakarta: LESFI (Lembaga Studi Filsafat Islam), 2002.

Atsir, Ibnul. An-Nihayah fi Gharib al-Hadith wa al-Athar. Beirut: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, 1998.

Az-Zabidi, Murtadha. Taj al-Arus min Jawahir al-Qamus. 14th ed. Kuwait: Dar al-Hidayah, 1987.

Az-Zamakhsyari, Mahmud bin Umar. Tafsir al-Kashshaf. 3rd ed. Beirut: Dar al-Ma’rifah, 2009.

Azra, Azyumardi. Asal-Usul Reformisme Islam Di Asia Tenggara; Jaringan Melayu-Indonesia Dan Timur Tengah ‘Ulama in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin, 2004.

———. Jaringan Ulama Timur Tengah Dan Kepulauan Nusantara Abad XVII Dan XVIII. Bandung: Mizan, 1994.

Baidan, Nashiruddin. Metodologi Khusus Penelitian Tafsir. 1st ed. Yogyakarta: Student Library , 2016.

———. Metodologi Penafsiran Al Quran. 2nd ed. Yogyakarta: Student Library, 2000.

Deswita, Deswita, Zaidi Hajazi, and Kasmuri Selamat. “Tazkiyat Al-Nafs as a Solution for Reaching Humans Peace of Heart in the Modern Age.” Alfuad: Jurnal Sosial Keagamaan 6, no. 2 (2022): 11. https://doi.org/10.31958/jsk.v6i2.7260.

Dwijayanti, Belinda. “Tazkiyatun Nafs in Classical and Modern Islamic Tradition Qur’anic Worldview.” Teosofia: Indonesian Journal of Islamic Mysticism 4, no. 2 (2015): 109–22. https://doi.org/10.21580/tos.v4i2.1718.

Eaton, Charles Le Gai. Islam and the Destiny of Man. U.S.A: The Islamic Texts Society, 1985.

Fathurrahman, Oman. Tanbih Al-Mashi; Menyoal Wahdatul Wujud Kasus Abdurrauf Singkel Di Aceh Abad 17. Jakarta: Mizan, 1999.

Hamid, Abdul. “Islamic Psychology and the Concept of Tazkiyatun Nafs.” Journal of Islamic Studies 25, no. 3 (2022). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/jis.v25i3.2022.0000.

Hamjah, Salasiah Hanin. “Tazkiyah Al-Nafs in the Islamic Counseling Process from Al-Ghazali’s Perspective.” Ibn Khaldun International Journal of Economic, Community Empowerment and Sustainability. Journal Homepage: |index | 1, no. 1 (December 22, 2022): 19–28. https://doi.org/http://ejournal2.uika-bogor.ac.id/index.php/IIJECES/index.

Hasjmy, Ali. Kebudayaan Aceh Dalam Sejarah. Jakarta: Beuna, 1983.

Hawwa, Sa’id. Menyucikan Jiwa; Konsep Terpadu Tazkiyatun-Nafs. Jakarta: Robbani Press, 2006.

Ihsan, Nur Hadi. “Sejarah dan Perkembangan Tarekat di Indonesia.” Kalimah 10, no. 2 (September 2012). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/kalimah.v10i2.2012.0001.

———. “The Building of Scientfic Tradition in History: The Intellectual Achievement of The Great Sufi Master of Aceh Abdurraruf Singkel (1615/20-1693).” In Proceedings International Conference on Islamic Universities, Building Scientific Tradition with Asian Universities, 217. Ponorogo: Institut Studi Islam Darussalam (ISID) Gontor, 2011. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/islamicuniversities.v2011.i1.ihsan217.

Ihsan, Nur Hadi, Munir Munir, and Dedy Irawan. “Tazkiyah Al-Nafs Wa ‘Alāqatuhā Bi Al-Sa’Ādah ‘inda Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah.” Kalimah: Jurnal Studi Agama Dan Pemikiran Islam 19, no. 2 (September 8, 2021). https://doi.org/10.21111/klm.v19i2.6629.

Ihsan, Nur Hadi, Arqomi Erva Dewi Puspita, and Muqit Nur Rohman. “Tazkiyyah Al-Nafs of Syekh Nawawi Al-Bantani (1814-1897 Ad) As an Antidote to Consumerism Culture.” Jurnal Ushuluddin 32, no. 1 (2024): 45. https://doi.org/10.24014/jush.v32i1.25583.

Ihsan, Nur Hadi, Che Zarrina Binti Sa’ari, and Muhammad Sofian Hidayat. “Abdurrauf Al-Singkili’s Concept of Insan Kamil in Facing The Crisis of Modern Human Morality.” Islam Realitas: Journal of Islamic and Social Studies 8, no. 1 (July 13, 2022): 22. https://doi.org/10.30983/islam_realitas.v8i1.5487.

Ihsan, Nur Hadi, Che Zarrina Binti Sa’ari, and Husna Hisaba Kholid. “Abdurrauf Al-Singkili’s Concept of Dhikr: Exploring the Sufi Psychotherapy Model.” Al-Tahrir: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam 24, no. 1 (May 2024): 131–46. https://doi.org/10.21154/tahrir.v24i1.7261.

Ihsan, Nur Hadi, Che Zarrina Binti Sa’ari, Tistigar Sansayto, and Sayyid Muhammad Indallah. “Abdurrauf Singkel’s Insan Kamil Concept to Answer the Problem of Sexual Consent, Childfree, Nature, and Nurture in Urban Society.” Akademika : Jurnal Pemikiran Islam 29, no. 1 (May 14, 2024): 87. https://doi.org/10.32332/akademika.v29i1.9081.

Irawan, Bambang, Ismail Fahmi Arrauf Naution, and Hywel Coleman. “Applying Ibn ‘Arabi’s Concept of Tajalli; A Sufi Approach to Environmental Ethics.Pdf.” Teosofia: Indonesian Journal of Islamic Mysticism 10, no. 1 (2021): 21–36. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21580/tos.v10i1.7204.

Ismail, Yusni. “The Role of Abdurrauf As-Singkili in the Development of Islamic Jurisprudence and Sufism in the Malay World.” Journal of Islamic Studies and Culture 1, no. 1 (2012): 23–35. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.XXXX/jisc.v1i1.2012.001.

Karim, Bisyri Abdul. “Revolusi Mental Melalui Pendidikan Islam Berbasis Metode Tazkiyatun Nafs.” Eljour: Education and Learning Journal 2, no. 1 (January 2021): 10–18. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.33096/eljour.v2i1.79.

Khaldun, Abdurrahman bin. Muqaddimah Ibn Khaldun. Edited by Abdullah Muhammad Ad-Darwisy. 2nd ed. Dimasyq: Maktabah al-Hidayah, 2004.

Ma’muroh, Ma’muroh, Abqorina Abqorina, and Amrin Amrin. “The Concept of Tazkiyatun Nafs by Al-Ghazali and Its Implementation at Pesantren Darut Tasbih Tangerang.” Edu Cendikia: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan 4, no. 02 (2024): 833–44. https://doi.org/10.47709/educendikia.v4i02.4989.

Malik, Aisha. “The Influence of Al-Ghazali’s Thoughts on Tazkiyatun Nafs in Modern Education.” Journal of Islamic Studies 14, no. 1 (2021). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/jis.v14i1.2021.0001.

Malik, Hanan. “Tazkiyatun Nafs as a Therapeutic Tool in Psychology.” Journal of Muslim Mental Health 14, no. 1 (2021). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/jmmh.v14i1.2021.0001.

Manzur, Ibnu. Lisan al-Arab. 14th ed. Beirut: Dar al-Ma’arif, 1993.

Mud’is, Hasan. “Enhancing Intuition through Tazkiyatun Nafs: A Pathway to Preventing Unethical Conduct.” International Journal of Nusantara Islam 11, no. 1 (2023): 47–56. https://doi.org/10.15575/ijni.v11i1.26222.

Mukarrom, Ahwan. “Konsep Syeikh Abdurrauf Singkel Tentang Kematian dalam Naskah Lubb Al-Kashf wa Al-Bayan.” Islamica: Jurnal Studi Keislaman 4, no. 1 (September 2009): 133–42. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15642/islamica.2009.4.1.133-142.

Muslim, Ṣaḥiḥ. Kitāb Al-Musāqāh - Bāb Akhdh Al-Ḥalāl Wa Tark Al-Shubuhāt. 5th ed. Vol. 1599, n.d.

Nabila, Mufid, and Alex Yusron Al Mufti. “Membentuk Perilaku Beragama Melalui Konsep Wahdat Al-Wujud dan Wahdan Ash Syuhud.” Esoterik: Jurnal Akhlak dan Tasawuf 5, no. 1 (2019): 145–64. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.21043/esoterik.v5i1.

Najati, Muhammad Utsman. Al-Dirasat al-Nafsaniyyah ’inda al-Ulama al-Muslimin. 1st ed. Al-Qahirah: Dar al-Syuruq, 1993.

———. Madkhal ila ’Ilmi al-Nafs al-Islami. 1st ed. Al-Qahirah: Dar al-Syuruq, 2001.

Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. Knowledge and the Sacred. New York: State University of New York Press, 1989.

———. Man and Nature: The Spiritual Crisis in Modern Man. London: Unwin Paperbacks, 1968.

Nurhasan. “Konsep Tawakal Menurut Jalaluddin Rumi.” Pancawahana: Jurnal Studi Islam 14, no. 2 (December 2019): 100–113. https://doi.org/https://ejournal.kopertais4.or.id/tapalkuda/index.php/pwahana/article/view/3609.

Othman, Shahrul Hilmi bin, Madya Mohd Syukri Yeoh bin Abdullah, Ros Mahwati Ahmad Zakaria, and Muammar Ghaddafi bin Hanafiah. “Aspek Muamalat dalam Kitab Mir’at al-Thullab Karya Shaykh Abdul Rauf Ali Al-Singkili.” Jurnal ’Ulwan 4, no. 1 (2019): 1–3. https://doi.org/https://unimel.edu.my/journal/index.php/JULWAN/article/view/487/413.

Qutb, Sayyid. Tafsir Fi Zhilalil Quran. 17th ed. Beirut: Dar al-Syuruq, 1992.

Rahmawati. “The Role of Tazkiyat Al-Nafs in Combating Materialism in Modern Society.” Journal of Islamic Ethics 5, no. 2 (2021): 120–35. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/jie.v5i2.2021.0001.

Rivauzi, Ahmad. “Landasan Filosofis Pemikiran Tasawuf Abdurrauf Singkel Tentang Allah, Manusia, Dan Alam.” Jurnal THEOLOGIA 28, no. 2 (February 20, 2018): 299–328. https://doi.org/10.21580/teo.2017.28.2.1451.

Rohmana, Jajang A. “Fatwa Syekh Ahmad Khatib Al-Minangkabawi; a Jawi Ulama’s Response to the Heterodoxy of Sufism.” Al-Tahrir 23, no. 2 (November 2023): 451–78. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21154/altahrir.v23i2.5936.

Sandu, Siyoto, and Muhammad Ali Shodiq. Dasar Metodologi Penelitian. Yogyakarta: Lentari Publishing, 2015.

Scarpi, Daniele. Hedonism, Utilitarianism, and Consumer Behavior. Bologna: Palgrave Macmillan, 2020.

Sholihin, Rosihon Anwar. Ilmu Tasawuf. Bandung: CV Pustaka Setia, 2014.

Singkel, Abdurrauf. Mir’at al-Tullab. Manuscript. Jakarta: National Library of the Republic of Indonesia, 1663.

———. Tanbih al-Masyi. Manuscript. Banda Aceh: Collection of Ancient Acehnese Manuscripts, 1675.

Stapa, Zakaria. “Insan Kamil Ciri dan Proses Pembentukan.” Afkar: Jurnal Akidah & Pemikiran Islam 2, no. 1 (June 2001): 43–60. https://doi.org/https://ejournal.um.edu.my/index.php/afkar/article/view/6008.

Suriati. “Dakwah dan Hedonisme.” Retorika: Jurnal Kajian Komunikasi dan Penyiaran Islam 3, no. 1 (2021): 1–27. https://doi.org/http://journal.iaimsinjai.ac.id/indeks.php/retorika.

Taufiqurrahman. “Ikhlas Dalam Perspektif Al Quran (Analisis Terhadap Konstruk Ikhlas Melalui Metode Tafsir Tematik).” Eduprof : Islamic Education Journal 1, no. 2 (September 2019): 1–34. https://doi.org/10.47453/eduprof.v1i2.3.

Wafi, Ali ʿAbd al-Waḥid. ʿIlm al-Lughah. 9th ed. Al-Qahirah: Nahdah Misr, 2004.

Yunus, Firdaus Muhammad. “TGK. Syiah Kuala Pengembang Tarekat Syattariah di Nusantara.” Kalam: Jurnal Agama dan Sosial Humaniora 4, no. 2 (December 2016): 163–86. https://doi.org/https://journal.lsamaaceh.com/index.php/kalam/article/view/28.

Yusoff, Mohd Yusri Zainuddin, and Mohd Shukri Mohamad. “Tasawuf Sunni in Southeast Asia: The Influence of Abdurrauf as-Singkili.” International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention 4, no. 9 (2015): 45–52. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/ijhssi.v4i9.2015.0045.

Yusuf, Ahmad. “The Concept of Tazkiyatun Nafs in Islamic Spiritual Psychology.” Journal of Islamic Psychology 8, no. 3 (2022). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/jip.v8i3.2022.0001.

———. “The Contribution of Abdurrauf Singkel to Sufism in Southeast Asia.” Journal of Islamic Spirituality 9, no. 1 (2021). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/jispi.v9i1.2021.0001.

———. “The Relevance of Tazkiyatun Nafs in Modern Society.” Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization 12, no. 1 (2020). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.v12i1.2020.0001.

Yusuf, Muhammad. “The Role of Tazkiyatun Nafs in Character Building.” International Journal of Islamic Thought 13, no. 1 (2021). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24014/ijit.v13i1.2021.0001.

Zakariya, Abu Husain Ahmad bin Faris bin. Mu’jam Maqayis al-Lughah. 3rd ed. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1979.

Zuhdi, Ahmad. Dinamika Islam Di Nusantara. Pekalongan: Nasya Expanding Management, 2022.