Food and the Holistic Integration of Body and Soul: An Islamic Psychological Perspective on Buya Hamka’s Thought.

Abstract

Buya Hamka, a prominent Indonesian scholar and intellectual, offers profound insights into various aspects of life, including food. However, his views on the relationship between food and physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being have not been extensively explored. This study aims to examine the influence of food on human physical, psychological, and spiritual conditions from Hamka’s perspective. Using a qualitative library research approach and a descriptive-analytical method, this study analyzes Hamka’s monumental work, Tafsir al-Azhar. The findings reveal that Hamka’s interpretation emphasizes food as a determinant of physical health, a source of inner tranquility, and a means of spiritual purification. First, Hamka’s concept of ḥalālan ṭayyiban reflects an integration of Islamic legal principles and scientific rationality, aligning with contemporary nutritional findings on the importance of balanced diets in preventing metabolic diseases. Second, the consumption of lawful and wholesome food has significant psychological implications, particularly in maintaining emotional stability, clarity of the heart, and strong self-regulation, as emphasized in Islamic psychology. Third, food functions as a spiritual factor that shapes inner purity, the efficacy of supplication, and the quality of righteous deeds. These findings demonstrate that Hamka’s perspective offers a comprehensive integration of Qur’anic teachings, modern health principles, and the concept of tazkiyah al-nafs in Islamic psychology, positioning food as a reflection of holistic human well-being.