The Alchemy of Happiness

Al-Ghazzali also known as Al-Ghazali was a Persian theologian philosopher and prolific Sunni Muslim author who wrote The Alchemy of Happiness. He is considered as one of the greatest Islamic philosophers. The piece stressed the value of abiding by Islamic ritual laws doing good deeds that bring about salvation and avoiding sin. Its mystical focus on self-control and asceticism distinguished the Alchemy from other theological works of the period and helped it stand out from them. Sa'da (happiness) a key idea in Islamic thought refers to the ultimate goal of human endeavor. Sa'da is compared to the ultimate happiness or that which awaits us in the hereafter. It can only be attained once a person has fully freed their spirit from their physical existence or when they have reached active intellect. The lessons were intended to aid man in living in accordance with the holy law and in doing so help him comprehend its significance on the Day of Judgment.