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The Book of Sufi Healing

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A wonderful presentation of Sufi healing traditions as well as Islam's contributions to world civilization

The author, Shaykh Hakim Moinuddin Chisti (Dr. Hakim Chishti) is a naturopathic physician and one of the few practitioners of Unani al-tibb in North America as well as a Fulbright Research Scholar. While conducting research in Afghanistan, he studied Unani medicine under the tutelage of a traditional practitioner, and has since participated in numerous international health symposia in Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. Working from original material, he has translated into English the standard textbook of Avicenna on Unani medicine, Mizan-ul-Tibb ("The Canon of Medicine"). He is the author of "The Traditional Healer's Handbook" (Healing Arts Press, 1991), based on the foregoing translation.

For the Sufis within the mystic branches of Islam, the healing of the sick is considered to be the most important of all services to humanity. For the first time in the West, the author presents the secret principles and practices of this divine science, based on the 800-year tradition of the Chishti Order, to which the author belongs. The Chishti Order is a Sufi order which was founded in Chisht, a small town near Herat, in Western Afghanistan about 930 C.E. and continues to this day. The Chishti Order is known for its emphasis on love, tolerance, and openness, and "service to humanity" in the form of healing is one of the nine principles of the order first enunciated by Abu Ishaq Shami ("the Syrian"), its revered founder.

Among the many topics covered in "The Book of Sufi Healing" are dietary recommendations of the Prophet, the preparation of herbal formulas, healing with essential oils, the characteristics of illnesses arising at various stages of the soul's evolution, the therapeutic applications of fasting, prayer and correct breathing, the manufacture and use of talismans to maintain, restore and promote good health and the "infallible remedy."

Dr. Chishti has produced a truly wonderful, uplifting work, a veritable pharmacopoeia of Quranic verses (among other therapeutic modalities) relating to specific ailments affecting our spiritual and physical beings as well as a number of valuable chapters containing practical guidance for detoxification measures, diagnosis, the use of the Divine Names in the treatment of possession, and the use of spiritual geometric designs ("Taweez," akin in form and purpose to the Indian "Yantra") that have traditionally been used for healing. In addition to its detailed, very clear treatment of the Sufi healing tradition, Dr. Chishti's work is an excellent general introduction to the subject of Sufism for any serious student.

"The Book of Sufi Healing" is a work that should be read by anyone who wishes to acquire an in-depth knowledge of Sufism's and Islam's traditional healing practices as well as Sufism and its place in Islam more generally.

In his book "The Sufi Healings", Shaykh Hakim Moinuddin shed lights on different aspects of human life from physical to spiritual matters in the context of Sufi teachings. To support his discussion he uses parallels from modern day science. He makes a conscious effort to clarify Sufism. There are many direct references and anecdotes from the Holy Quran and from the life of Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him). The book is a great read and wonderful resource on Sufism.

Despite its focus on healing and the fact that it was written by a Chishti sheikh, this book provides the best introduction to sufism for any serious students affiliated to any sufi order. Some of the ideas portrayed in this book are very difficult to come by, such as the Quran being a breathing exercise, or the science of ta'widh (talismans). I didn't pay much attention to the sections on healing, but I even learned how to pray from this book.

The science of heart and breathing is just breath taking. Wonderful book for individuals with desire to learn and an open mind on Sufism and Islam. The Sufism is truly religion of the heart, winged heart. Beleiving is being, breath is everything.

This book help to understand some symbols of the islamic and sufi life. Also it gives knowledge of the nature of the everydays life. You can feel sincerity of the writer when you read the book. You can take it with you, for a guide or for a friend.

Its hard to write a review about a book which the author has so painstakingly and honestly tried to cement around his religious ideas and ideals. There is nothing wrong with that. However, having said this, the author has constructed his healing edifice around the works of the mediaeval philosopher, scientist and doctor Ibn Sienna, better known as Avicenna who was born in the 10th century in Afsjanah, which is now a part of Oezbekistan. His collection of writings, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, was considered a standard-work during the whole period of the Middle Ages. That the author, shaikh G. M. Chishti bases his teaching on the 4 humors is interesting, but it has as much relevance to modern medicine as the Ayurveda diet, for example. The author is a religious man and testifies openly about his religious sentiments, which is of course brave in a time in which all islamic religious thinking is a priori suspect and considered an archaic bigotry that threatens western culture. This book is interesting as far as the reader is open to islam and enjoys reading about natural therapies. A warning however must be added for those that find religious motivated self-medication healthier than visiting a physician in a normal doctor's practice. Faith can indeed be a healing and motivating force in a person's life. But modesty towards a person's ability, knowledge and towards lay-practitioners that advocate an old standard-work is a better course. Hot and dry, phlegmatic, melancholic, choleric and sanguine, these are surely interesting classifications, but do they really have medical or psychological impact and are they relevant to our modern lives? With all respect, a pious book, with interesting metafors, ideas about fasting and praying (salat), but those interested in allopathic medicine should think twice before implementing a remedy.

A great window from a good insider into Sufism and its outlook on human health being a state of body, mind and soul on a quest for unity with the Divine.A perspective with time tested advice good for all times.

I wrote, years ago, that "some of his recommendations would be considered to be controversial within Islam."
I now think that I was writing from a position of ignorance. It's amazing how a lifetime of conditioning can prevent you from seeing things in an unbiased fashion.
2-3 years on, I'd like to offer my apologies - and many thanks!

I wrote, years ago, that "some of his recommendations would be considered to be controversial within Islam."
I now think that I was writing from a position of ignorance. It's amazing how a lifetime of conditioning can prevent you from seeing things in an unbiased fashion.
2-3 years on, I'd like to offer my apologies - and many thanks!

"The Book of Sufi Healing" should be read by anyone who takes Islam seriously, and perhaps by anyone who takes Medicine seriously! You might not agree with everything the author says - some of his recommendations would be considered to be controversial within Islam - but his writing and message invite respect and consideration.