The Alchemy of Happiness

Description

The Alchemy of Happiness (Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat) is a book by Persian philosopher Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ghazālī, first published in the early twelfth century. Written towards the end of his life, and during a time of intellectual unrest in the Muslim world, the book was an attempt to show ways in which the lives of a Sufi could be based on what is demanded by Islamic law. It therefore emphasised the importance of observing the rituals (Sufis had been criticised before for their neglect of the ritual obligations of Islam), but also stressed the mystical side of self-discipline and asceticism. It has four principle parts; religious duties, salvation, human relations, and damnation.

Part of the Wisdom of the East series.

This book has 25,064 words, and 40 pages in the PDF version. This translation by Claud Field was originally published in 1909.

Production notes: This ebook of The Alchemy of Happiness was published by Global Grey on the 12th July 2018, and updated on the 9th August 2022. The artwork used for the cover is 'Shaykh 'Abd al Qadir Jalani' by an unknown artist.