Sufistic Counseling in Robert Frager’s Perspective
Main Article Content
Abstract
Human beings are creatures created by God and, therefore, are part of the universe. As created beings, humans are also entrusted by Allah with the responsibility of serving as khalifah (vicegerents) on earth and managing its affairs. This is stated by Allah SWT in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 30. According to Imam Al-Ghazali, humans are endowed by Allah with the heart (qalb), spirit (ruh), desires (nafs), passions (syahwat), and intellect (‘aql).[] As khalifah, humans are responsible for managing and prospering the earth by utilizing these God-given potentials. This study aims to analyze the concept of humans as khalifah from Imam Al-Ghazali’s perspective and its relevance to the development of morally upright individuals. The research employs a library research method with a descriptive-analytical approach through the examination of Imam Al-Ghazali’s works and relevant supporting literature. The findings indicate that human beings possess not only a physical dimension but also a spiritual dimension that must be developed in a balanced manner. According to Imam Al-Ghazali, the proportional utilization of the heart, spirit, desires, passions, and intellect forms the foundation for developing noble character and fulfilling the trust of vicegerency. Imbalances in managing these aspects may lead to behavioral deviations and destruction in human life. Therefore, a profound understanding of human nature, accompanied by continuous spiritual and intellectual development, is essential in cultivating individuals who are morally upright, responsible, and capable of carrying out their role as khalifah on earth in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The requirements that must be met by the author are as follows:
- The author saves the copyright and gives the journal simultaneously with the license under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Internasional License which permits other people to share the work by stating that it is firstly published in this journal.
- The author can post their work in an institutional repository or publish it in a book by by stating that it is firstly published in this journal.
- The author is allowed to post their work online (for instance, in an institutional repository or their own website) before and during the process of delivery. (seeOpen Access Effect).
How to Cite
References
Abidin, M. Zainal. (2013). Psikologi Profetik: Dalam Kacamata Filsafat Ilmu Studi Pemikiran KH. Hamdani Bakran Adz Dzakiey. Banjarmasin: IAIN Antasari Press.
Agustini, Herlin. (2021). Konsep Abu Hamid al-Ghazali dan Robert Frager Tentang Hati. Fakultas Ushuluddin, Universitas Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta.
Al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid. Ihya' Ulum al-Din, Jilid III, hlm. 3–5.
Al-Ghazali, Imam. (1990). Mukhtasar Ihya’ Ulumuddin (cet.1). Beirut: Muassasah Al-Kutub Al-Tsaqafiyyah.
Asmaya, Enung. (2018). Hakikat Manusia dalam Tasawuf Al-Ghazali. Jurnal Dakwah dan Komunikasi, (1), 123-125.
Badri, Malik. (2000). Contemplation: An Islamic Psychospiritual Study. London: IIIT, hlm. 35–42.
Baharuddin. (2004). Paradigma Psikologi Islam Studi Tentang Elemen Psikologi dari Al-Qur’an. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar.
Fajrin, Dinella Irawati, Mud’is, Hasan, dan Yulianti. Konsepsi Pengendalian Diri dalam Perspektif Psikologi Sufi dan Filsafat Stoisisme: Studi Komparatif dalam Buku Karya Robert Frager dan Henry Manampiring. Jurnal Riset Agama, 2 (1) (2022), 164-182. DOI: 10.15575/jra.v2i1.17122 https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/jra
Fauzi, Ahmad . (2004). Psikologi Umum. Bandung: Pustaka Setia.
Frager, Robert. (2016). Psikologi Sufi untuk Transformasi Hati, Jiwa, dan Ruh, hlm. 15.
Frager, Robert. (1999). Heart, Self and Soul: The Sufi Psychology of Growth, Balance and Harmony, Wheaton: Quest Books, hlm. 119–126.
Hadziq, Abdullah. (2018) “Psikologi Sufistik dan Relevansinya terhadap Problematika Kejiwaan Manusia Modern,” Jurnal Pemikiran Islam, Vol. 19, No. 2, hlm. 145.
Hasan, Aliah B. Purwakania. (2006). Psikologgi Perkembangan Islami. Jakarta: Raja Grafindo.
Hidayat, Komarudin. (2013). Psikologi Kematian: Mengubah Ketakutan Menjadi Optimisme Jakarta: Mizan, hlm. 87.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frager
Jaenudin, Ujam. (2012). Psikologi Transpersonal. Bandung: Pustaka Setia.
Jaya, Yahya. (1994). Spiritualisasi Islam Dalam Menumbuhkembangkan Kepribadian Dan Kesehatan Mental. Bandung: Rosdakarya.
Khasinah, Siti. (2013). Hakikat Manusia Menurut Pandangan Islam Dan Barat. Jurnal Ilmiah Didaktika, 13 (2), 296-317.
Mardliyah, Dewi Ainul. (2016). Terapi Psikospiritual Dalam Kajian Sufistik. Jurnal Studi Islam dan Humaniora, 14 (2), 234-244.
Roviat, Diana Dzurriyatur dan Ahmadi, Anas. (2025). Praktik Tasawuf Dalam Novel Merindu Cahaya De Amstel Karya Arumi Ekowati Perspektif Psikologi Sufi Robert Frager. Bapala, 12 (2), 168.
Suparlan, Suparlan. (2022). Kajian Ilmiah Mata Kuliah Umum. Jurnal Humanika, 22, (1), 77-90. doi: 10.21831/hum.v22i1.49082.
Suryabrata, Sumadi. (1983). Psikologi Kepribadian. Bandung: Rajawali Pers.
Taymiyah, Ibnu. (1998). Terapi Penyakit Hati. Jakarta: Gema Insani.