Al-Ghazali and Viktor Frankl on Meaning: A Hermeneutic-Comparative Model of Psycho-Spiritual Integration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59944/amorti.v5i1.759Keywords:
Meaning of life, Psycho-spiritual, Viktor Frankl, Logotherapy.Abstract
The phenomenon of the crisis of meaning and spiritual emptiness in modern society reflects a gap between the advancement of modern psychology, which tends to be secular, and the profound spiritual needs of human beings. While modern psychology emphasizes empirical and behavioral aspects, Islamic Sufism through the concepts of tazkiyatun nafs (purification of the soul) and ma‘rifatullah (knowledge of God) offers a transcendental path toward genuine meaning in life. This study aims to analyze the concept of meaning in life according to Al-Ghazali and Viktor Frankl, and to synthesize both perspectives in order to develop an integrative psycho-spiritual model addressing the modern human meaning crisis. Using a qualitative library research method and a hermeneutic-comparative approach, this study integrates classical Sufi texts with modern logotherapy theory. The findings reveal that Al-Ghazali views the meaning of life as theocentric and rooted in divine revelation, whereas Frankl’s perspective is existential and based on human experience. The integration of both produces a psycho-spiritual model that harmonizes psychological and spiritual dimensions, offering relevance for the development of Islamic-based psychotherapy and the rediscovery of meaning in contemporary human life.
References
Al-Asyhar, T. (2024). Dimensi Holistik Psikologi Sufi: Studi Perbandingan Psikologi Mainstream: The Holistic Dimension of Sufi Psychology: A Comparative Study with Mainstream Psychology. Jurnal Bimas Islam, 17(2), 247–278.
Alfi Wirda Mawaddah. (2024). Kajian Psikologi Islam: Integrasi Pendekatan Falsafi Dan Psikologi Modern. Nathiqiyyah, 7(2), 171–182. https://doi.org/10.46781/nathiqiyyah.v7i2.1294
Anahdiah, S., Mustofa, M. L., & Habib, Z. (2025). Kebahagiaan Era Kontemporer Perspektif Eksistensialisme Jean Paul Sartre dan Logoterapi Viktor E. Frankl. Jurnal Filsafat Indonesia, 8(2), 291–301. https://doi.org/10.23887/jfi.v8i2.82057
Ananda, S. D., & Nurjannah, N. (2024). Finding Meaning Of Life In Imam Al-ghazali’s Concept Of Ma’rifatun Nafs’ Through Logotherapy Counseling Intervention. Jurnal Bimbingan Penyuluhan Islam, 6(2), 156–166. https://doi.org/10.32332/63qma129
Abdulghani, N. A., & Sya'ban, W. K. (2026). Inter-Islamic law simulation in education as an effort to build a community legal culture. Amorti: Jurnal Studi Islam Interdisipliner, 59–67.
Permadi, M. A. M., & Sya'ban, W. K. (2025). Transformasi pendidikan Islam: Studi komparatif sistem pengajaran di pesantren tradisional dan pesantren modern. Transformation of Islamic Management and Education, 2(1), 18–24.
Permadi, M. A. M., Sya'ban, W. K., Habibi, M. I., Purnama, F., & Ampera, S. (2026). The dynamics of learning difficulties among students at Islamic boarding schools in the digital age: Between tradition and technological limitations. Al-Ulum: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(1), 202–218.
Permadi, M. A. M., Muzhaffar, & Sya'ban, W. K. S. H. (2025). Analisis perbandingan sistem pengajaran pesantren tradisional dan modern di Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Transformation and Education Management, 2(1), 25–31.
Sya'ban, W. K., Hilalludin, H., & Permadi, M. A. M. (2024). Challenges and strengths of traditional versus modern pesantren in Indonesia. Jurnal Ilmiah Islam Futura, 24(2).
Azis, T. B. (2024). Konsep Ma’rifat Dalam Tasawuf Atas Pemikiran Imam Al Ghazali. At-Tajdid : Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pemikiran Islam, 8(2), 347. https://doi.org/10.24127/att.v8i2.3265
Botîlcă, C. M. (2024). How Frankl’s Man’s Search For Meaning Shapes Our Understanding Of Logotherapy. UC Journal: ELT, Linguistics and Literature Journal, 5(2), 130–148. https://doi.org/10.24071/uc.v5i2.9447
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications.
Damayanti, D., & Herdiana, I. (2024). Logoterapi untuk meningkatkan pemaknaan hidup pada individu dengan depresi mayor. Procedia : Studi Kasus Dan Intervensi Psikologi, 12(4), 158–165. https://doi.org/10.22219/procedia.v12i4.33735
Dodego, S. H. A. (2021). Tasawuf Al-Ghazali Perspektif Pendidikan Islam. Guepedia.
Fadli, M. R. (2021). Memahami desain metode penelitian kualitatif. HUMANIKA, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.21831/hum.v21i1.38075
Febriansyah, A. D., Rostiawan, F. F., Arianto, F., & Mujidin, M. (2025). Comparison of Islamic Counseling Strategies With Western Psychotherapy: Theoretical and Practical Approaches. Al-Isyraq: Jurnal Bimbingan, Penyuluhan, Dan Konseling Islam, 8(1), 79–100.
Ferreira, H. A. Q., Hasan, S., & Lopes, S. M. B. (2024). Spirituality and psychology: Converging themes. In Interconnections of Knowledge: Multidisciplinary Approaches. Seven Editora. https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.010-033
Frankl, V. E. (1992). Man ’ s Search for Meaning Fourth Edition (Vol. 5).
Hakim, B. R. (2025). Sufi Social Work Dalam Konteks Indonesia Modern : Tinjauan Tematik Atas Kerangka Teoretis Dan Praktik. SHARE: SOCIAL WORK JOURNAL, 15(1), 1–12.
Hornik, P. (2024). Spirituality in logotherapy and existential analysis by Viktor Emil Frankl. Kwartalnik Naukowy Fides et Ratio, 60(4), 119–131. https://doi.org/10.34766/fer.v60i4.1326
Jarman Arroisi, Zarkasyi, H. F., Iwan Aminur Rokhman, & Fahrudin Mukhlis. (2023). Pursuit of Spiritual Happiness: Abu Hamid al-Ghazali on The Theory of Human Nature. Progresiva : Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Pendidikan Islam, 12(02), 291–306. https://doi.org/10.22219/progresiva.v12i02.29265
Mhd. Sofwan, Aulia Rahmah Puteri, Febrina Asmiralda, Haidar Daulay, & Zaini Dahlan. (2025). Wahdatul ‘Ulum dan Pengaruhnya Terhadap Kesehatan Mental dalam Perspektif Pendidikan Islam. Mesada: Journal of Innovative Research, 2(1), 560–568. https://doi.org/10.61253/g4v2bd64
Muhamad Zaenal Arifin. (2025). The Meaning of Life in the Thought of Al-Gazālī and Viktor Frankl: A Comparative Study of Spiritual and Psychological Approaches to Authentic Happiness. Bulletin of Indonesian Islamic Studies, 4(1), 132–147. https://doi.org/10.51214/biis.v4i1.1452
Mukharom, R. A., & Arroisi, J. (2021). Makna Hidup Perspektif Victor Frankl: Kajian Dimensi Spiritual dalam Logoterapi. TAJDID: Jurnal Ilmu Ushuluddin, 20(1), 91–115. https://doi.org/10.30631/tjd.v20i1.139
Mutholingah, S., & Zain, B. (2021). Metode Penyucian Jiwa (Tazkiyah Al-Nafs) Dan Implikasinya Bagi Pendidikan Agama Islam. Journal TA’LIMUNA, 10(1), 69–83. https://doi.org/10.32478/talimuna.v10i1.662
Muttaqin, A. (2022). Tasawuf Psikologi Al-Ghazālī: Tazkiyat al-Nafs sebagai Upaya Menuju Kesehatan Mental. Penerbit A-Empat.
Nasution, H. M. Y. (2022). Manusia menurut al-Ghazali. Merdeka Kreasi Group.
Nur Alifah, N. (2024). Memperkuat Eksistensi Pendidikan Islam di Era Revolusi Industri 4.0. PUTIH: Jurnal Pengetahuan Tentang Ilmu Dan Hikmah, 6(2), 17–32. https://doi.org/10.51498/wpcvm238
Nurdiana, W. (2025). Metodologi Pemikiran dalam Perspektif Teori Imam Al-Ghazali. AL-Ikhtiar: Jurnal Studi Islam, 2(3), 254–263.
Nurusshobah, & Akhmad Aidil Fitra. (2025). Kesehatan Mental dan Spiritualitas: Bagaimana Konsep Al-Qur’an Menghadapi Krisis Psikologis Era Kontemporer? Al-Fahmu: Jurnal Ilmu Al-Qur’an Dan Tafsir, 4(1), 115–130. https://doi.org/10.58363/alfahmu.v4i1.281
Othman, K., Yaakub, M. B., Kamal, N. F. M., & Shafie, A. A. H. (2025). How Islamic Psychospiritual Contribute to Balanced Mental Health and Human Wellbeing. Journal of Posthumanism, 5(7). https://doi.org/10.63332/joph.v5i7.3090
Permata, R. A., & Sa’ad, M. (2023). Memaknai Penderitaan sebagai Proses Menuju Transendesi Diri: Studi Kasus Anak Muda Fase Quarter Life Crisis di UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya. Journal of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, 1(2), 178–192. https://doi.org/10.15642/juit.2023.1.2.178-192
Purnama, D. A. (2021). Pembaruan Logoterapi Viktor Frankl: Pencarian Makna Hidup melalui Interpretasi Hermeneutika Naratif Restoratif. PT Kanisius.
Saputra, A., & Lubis, S. A. (2025). Transformasi Pendidikan Islam Berbasis Kesehatan Mental Holistik. Ar-Raudah : Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Keagamaan, 1(4), 78–93. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.61891/ar-raudah.v1i4.612
Shantall, T. (2020). What Is Logotherapy? In The Lıfe-changıng Impact of Vıktor Frankl’s Logotherapy (pp. 1–18). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30770-7_1
Sitopu, E., Pasaribu, A. G., & Harianja, B. M. (2023). Hubungan Pendekatan Pastoral Konseling Logo Terapi Dengan Kebermaknaan Hidup (Self Meaning Life) Bagi Lansia. Jurnal Teologi Cultivation, 7(2), 190–107. https://doi.org/10.46965/jtc.v7i2.2024
Tasmuji, T., & Khoirudin, A. (2022). Integrasi Tasawuf Dalam Logoterapi Sebagai Psikoterapi Santri Gangguan Jiwa Di Pp. Al-Syifa. Spiritual Healing : Jurnal Tasawuf Dan Psikoterapi, 2(2), 51–71. https://doi.org/10.19109/sh.v2i2.12674
Weya, H., & Napitsunargo, H. (2024). Makna kematian dalam perspektif Kierkegaard Søren; Al-Ghazali. Integritas Terbuka: Peace and Interfaith Studies, 3(2), 99–110. https://doi.org/10.59029/int.v3i2.35
Wong, P. T. P., & Laird, D. (2024). The Suffering Hypothesis: Viktor Frankl’s Spiritual Remedies and Recent Developments (pp. 93–110). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48922-8_6
Yusuf Suharto, Y., & Ishmatun Nihayah, I. (2021). Tasawuf Kebahagiaan dalam Pandangan Al-Ghazali. PUTIH: Jurnal Pengetahuan Tentang Ilmu Dan Hikmah, 6(2), 33–46. https://doi.org/10.51498/putih.v6i2.69
