The Concept of Takhalli and Tahalli Muhammad Amin Al- Kurdi in the Book Tanwirul Qulub and its Relevance in Society Life

Abstract

The modern era is marked by a moral crisis and rising social conflicts rooted in spiritual emptiness. Materialism and hedonism have shifted societal orientation away from substantive values, leading to individual alienation and weakened social cohesion. This study aims to explore the concepts of takhalli (emptying the soul) and tahalli (adorning the soul) in the thought of Sheikh Muhammad Amin al-Kurdi as presented in his work Tanwirul Qulub, and to analyze their relevance to fostering harmony in contemporary social life. This qualitative research employed a library research approach. Data were collected from the primary source, Tanwirul Qulub, as well as secondary sources including books and journal articles on Sufism and social ethics. Content analysis techniques were used to systematically examine al-Kurdi's Sufi texts, focusing on the purification of the soul and its social implications. The findings reveal that takhalli functions as a purification process from destructive spiritual diseases such as arrogance, envy, anger, gossip, and love of power. Conversely, tahalli serves as a character reconstruction stage through the internalization of praiseworthy traits including humility, patience, sincerity, and generosity. Together, these processes transform individual piety into social piety. Al-Kurdi's concepts offer a systematic methodology for character development that extends beyond personal spirituality. When applied, they manifest as tolerance, forgiveness, altruism, and peacebuilding in society. These teachings present a relevant framework for addressing contemporary moral crises and strengthening social integration.