The Alchemy of Happiness

By: Al Ghazzali

Narrated by: Matthew Schmitz

Brought to you by Altrusian Grace Media and narrated by Matthew Schmitz."Kīmīyā-yi Sa'ādat, English: The Alchemy of Happiness/Contentment, is a book written by Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ghazālī, a Persian theologian, philosopher, and prolific Muslim author, often regarded as one of the greatest systematic thinkers and mystics of Islam, in Persian. The Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat was written towards the end of his life shortly before 499 AH/1105 AD.

During the time before it was written, the Muslim world was considered to be in a state of political, as well as intellectual unrest. Al-Ghazālī, noted that there were constant disputes about the role of philosophy and scholastic theology, and that Sufis became chastised for their neglect of the ritual obligations of Islam. Upon the release of this book, the Kimiya-yi sa'ādat allowed al-Ghazali to considerably cut the tensions between the scholars and mystics. Kimiya-yi sa'ādat emphasized the importance of observing the ritual requirements of Islam, the actions that would lead to salvation, and avoidance of sin. The factor that set the Kimiya-yi sa'ādat apart from other theological works at the time was its mystical emphasis on self-discipline and asceticism.

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 emphasized the importance of observing the rituals (Sufis had been criticized 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.

©2023 Matthew Schmitz (P)2023 Matthew Schmitz