 Cover of a 1308 Persian copy held in the Bibliothèque nationale de France | |
| Author | Al-Ghazālī |
|---|---|
| Original title | Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat (Persian: کیمیای سعادت) |
| Translator | Muhammad Mustafa an-Nawali, Claud Field, Jay Crook |
| Language | Classical Persian |
| Subject | Islamic ethics and Philosophy |
Publication date | Early 12th century |
| Publication place | Persia |
| LC Class | B753.G33 |
Kīmīyā-yi Sa'ādat (Persian: کیمیای سعادت 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.[1] The Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat was written towards the end of his life shortly before 499 AH/1105 AD.[2] 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.[3] Upon the release of this book, the Kimiya-yi sa'ādat allowed al-Ghazali to considerably cut the tensions between the scholars and mystics.[3] 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.[3]
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- ^ Bowering, Gerhard. "ḠAZĀLĪ, ABŪ ḤĀMED MOḤAMMAD, I." Encyclopædia Iranica. Print
- ^ Bowering, Gerhard. "[Untitled]." Rev. of The Alchemy of Happiness Translated by Claud Feild and Revised by Elton L. Daniel. Journal of Near Eastern Studies July 1995: 227-28. Print
- ^ a b c Bodman Jr., Herbert L. "(untitled)." Rev. of The Alchemy of Happiness Translated by Claud Feild and Revised by Elton L. Daniel. Journal of World History Fall 1993: 336-38. Print.