The Alchemy of Happiness

Amazing book, amazing translation.

This has been the most transformative spiritual text I've ever read, and it's a short read -- just a handful of chapters. However, it's something you'll come back to over and over again as you digest individual passages with new understandings you gain on your journey. This is also my favorite translation by far. Imam Gazzali is truly an enlightened individual and a saint for creating such amazing and instructive works. Don't be deterred if you don't come from the Islamic tradition. He answers burning questions that truth seeker might have about truth and purpose.

One of the best books I have ever read. I cherished every single page of this book. Only a 100 pages long but has very valuable life advice. I will be coming back to this book over and over again

This book is mandatory reading for everyone at the age of 16. Just when we think that the world revolves around us and will probably continue to think so for the next 15 years; this book jolts you out of very gently where you realize that life is bigger than parties, the next boyfriend/girlfriend, clothes and other issues that seem very important. Al-Ghazali's The Alchemy of Happiness, is a translation of the first 8 chapters of Kimya-e-Saadat, a book in persian language. It is not long, easy to read and the first four chapters are enough to set anyone's course in life. While most references to his points are from Hadith (Prophet Muhammad's sayings and teachings) and Quran; it is not specific to any religion which makes this book truly universal. Whether the reader is a Christian, a Jew, an Atheist or a Buddhist; they will find this book a very good read. Simply because it does not set out to convert anyone here; just states how a life should be lead. At the end, if an atheist does not set out to seek a religion to subscribe to then they have truly lost an opportunity.

Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali (God be pleased with him) has composed a magnificient book which is, in my point of view, one of the outmost and greatest spiritual book that ever existed in the chronicles of time! The real way for the mankind to attain ultimate happiness is to read, understand and apply what this book is revealing! Verily, as Imam Al-Guazali declares, the ultimate happiness is to know God Almighty in order to truly love him and He who truly loves God, God loves Him too!

Practical advice on developing the higher self to command the lower self to achieve internal happiness that is not dependent on worldly outcomes. If you are an atheist then you might only benefit from the first couple chapters, some of the later chapters are more theoretical supported by logic based on holy scriptures like the Quran, Hadith, or Psalms. This is a must-read for all believers, especially Muslims! Many blessings to Al-Ghazzali, this book is one of my all-time favorites!

Imam Gazali, also known as Hujjatul Islam, is a great scholar if Islam who consolidated the tenets of the religion against corruption. The Alchemy of Happiness is a must read for anyone who wishes to take the journey for self explotation, to better understand the self; and by doing so, establish a solid relationship with Allah, the lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between. The true happiness will only come through such a relationship.

Good content but the translation is a bit off. Dont know if I can trust the information in it completely. Still okay for the price i guess

This book is totally a masterpiece. It is like a road map to your soal. Al-Gazzali (R. A) has put all his indept understanding of the soul and God in this wonderful work. May Allah have mercy on his soul. Once you start reading this book, it grabs the attention of the reader in such a powerful way that it is almost impossible to think about anything else. Gazzali (ra) makes the use of allegories to grab the attention and to give a bigger picture of the things that otherwise would be difficult to understand. I can't summarise what is written in this book. But anyone who could have summarised this book in a beautiful manner was Al-Gazzali himself. And we can easily see the summary of this book ( and of all his work) in his own last words before death. ************************************************ Imam Ghazali woke up one early morning and as usual offered his prayers and then enquired what day it was, his younger brother, Ahmad Ghazali replied,"Monday." He asked him to bring his white shroud, kissed it, stretched himself full length and saying "Lord, I obey willingly," breathed his last. And underneath his head rest they found the following verses; composed by him, probably, during the night. "Say to my friends, when they look upon me, dead Weeping for me and mourning me in sorrow Do not believe that this corpse you see is myself In the name of God, I tell you, it is not I, I am a spirit, and this is naught but flesh It was my abode and my garment for a time. I am a treasure, by a talisman kept hid, Fashioned of dust, which served me as a shrine, I am a pearl, which has left it's shell deserted, I am a bird, and this body was my cage Whence I have now floron forth and it is left as a token Praise to God, who hath now set me free And prepared for me my place in the highest of the heaven, Until today I was dead, though alive in your midst. Now I live in truth, with the grave - clothes discarded. Today I hold converse with the saints above, With no veil between, I see God face to face. I look upon "Loh-i-Mahfuz" and there in I read Whatever was and is and all that is to be. Let my house fall in ruins, lay my cage in the ground, Cast away the talisman, it is a token, no more Lay aside my cloak, it was but my outer garment. Place them all in the grave, let them be forgotten, I have passed on my way and you are left behind Your place of abode was no deweling place for me. Think not that death is death, nay, it is life, A life that surpasses all we could dream of here, While in this world, here we are granted sleep, Death is but sleep, sleep that shall be prolonged Be not frightened when death draweth night, It is but the departure for this blessed home Think of the mercy and love of your Lord, Give thanks for His Grace and come without fear. What I am now, even so shall you be For I know that you are even as I am The souls of all men come forth from God The bodies of all are compounded alike Good and evil, alike it was ours I give you now a message of good cheer May God's peace and joy for evermore be yours."

Anyone into the religious sciences and an interest in Sufism or imam ghazali works should absolutely read this book. Written in the medieval era yet evidently so applicable to the 21st century! Gives a real insight and thought provoking nature of the heart. Very easy to read and not so many pages like the Ihya. Would definitely recommend.

Great book but umm why is it so huge?! It’s massive, thin and like a leaflet texture. If the book was smaller it could be a nice shape and thickness. Very strange to read such a large book that is so thin. The content of the book itself, great. I wouldn’t recommend this style as a household copy though. It’s good if you want to read one time, highlight it or keep on your book shelf for reference.

Classic Al-Ghazali. Loved this book!

je trouve que la traduction manque de précision, notemment les concepts de Aql, Nafs, Rouh. en plus de la confusion, des passages entiers sont retirée de l'oeuvre originel dans cette traduction. pour un public étranger à la pensée islamique, cela reste une introduction peu juste mais passable à ce grand maitre spirituel.