Views of Ibn Sina and Muhammad ibn Zakariyyā al-Rāzī on Prevention and Treatment of Grief and Sorrow Disorders

Human beings experience every kind of emotion in their everyday lives. Traditionally, emotions are categorized as negative or positive. People, however, tend to escape, disengage from, or avoid the latter type. Emotions are studied from philosophical, biological, and psychological perspectives. On the other hand, al-Rāzī and Ibn Sina are two Muslim scholars who discussed the grief and sorrow disorders in their philosophy. Comparing their works reveals that al-Rāzī applies Plato's moral philosophy, therefore his main focus is on health and well-being. He considers both physical and psychological aspects. In his view, grief and sorrow are unpleasant. Also, the lack of balance in humors and stability of thoughts are the direct causes of raising such strong emotions. Keeping the balance in humors, anti-negativity, and restoration of stability of thoughts are the treatments al-Rāzī suggests in Kitāb al-Ṭibb al-rūḥānī (Book of Spiritual Medicine). Inspired by Aristotle's moral philosophy, Ibn Sina follows the approach of perfectionism. Treating the disorder of grief and sorrow, he goes beyond bodily health issues and admits that moral and psychological treatments are more effective. Apart from the restoration of stability of thoughts and emotions, he is of the opinion that prayers and pilgrimage play a significant role in coping with grief and sorrow.