الحارث المحاسبي

al-Muhasibi (RH)

al-Harith al-Muhasibi

c. 165–243 AH · c. 781–857 CE

Sufism & Theology Sufism Theology

Master of self-examination, whose name means 'the one who holds himself to account'.

Al-Muhasibi was a theologian and spiritual teacher of Baghdad. His name comes from muhasabah, the practice of constantly examining one's own motives and deeds.

His al-Ri'ayah li-Huquq Allah analyses the hidden diseases of the soul, such as showing off and self-admiration, with great psychological insight. It deeply influenced later writers, including al-Ghazali. Al-Junayd was among his students. Ahmad ibn Hanbal is reported to have disapproved of his use of theological argument.

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