Islamic spirituality is holistic. It fulfills the needs of both the body and the soul, and encourages believers to manifest the highest ideals and virtues in their lives.
While many approaches to spirituality separate the body from the soul, the Qur’an teaches us that they are naturally interwoven. For instance, the daily Muslim prayer is a deeply spiritual practice, but it consists of both spiritual contemplation and movements of the body. This serves to move both our physical and spiritual selves towards a deeper connection with God.
Another example is that physical appetites are not shamed in Islam. Instead, the natural human desires for food, drink, and intimacy should be enjoyed and celebrated (within the boundaries set by God). Living with both the body and soul in mind helps people achieve physical and emotional balance, and encourages the spiritual state of gratitude—two aims that God rewards in this life and the next.
Islamic spirituality also pursues societal wellbeing. Private worship is crucial for developing sincerity with God, but believers must also work to bring divine consciousness into the world. This means that every Muslim should strive to emulate divine qualities. For instance, those who are compassionate with others are closer to Allah, who is the Most Compassionate. Those who are selfless with their money and time are more in sync with God, who is the Most Generous; and those striving to end conflict understand that Allah is the Source of Peace.