The Alchemy of Happiness & The Mystics of Islam

The Alchemy of Happiness
by Al-Ghazzali, tr. by Claud Field

The Kimiya-yi Sa'adat (Alchemy of Happiness) was written towards the end of Abu ?amid Mu?ammad ibn Mu?ammad al-Ghazali's life shortly before 499/1105. 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-Ghazali noted that there were constant disputes regarding the role of philosophy and scholastic theology and Sufi's became chastised for their neglect of the ritual obligations of Islam. Upon its release, the Kimiya-yi sa'adat allowed al-Ghazali to considerably reduce the tensions between the scholars and mystics.

The Mystics of Islam

by Reynold A. Nicholson.

THE title of this book sufficiently explains why it is included in a Series 'exemplifying the adventures and labours of individual seekers or groups of seekers in quest of reality.' Sufism, the religious philosophy of Islam, is described in the oldest extant definition as 'the apprehension of divine realities,' and Mohammedan mystics are fond of calling themselves Ahl al-Haqq, 'the followers of the Real.' {Al-Haqq is the term generally used by Sufis when they refer to God.} In attempting to set forth their central doctrines from this point of view, I shall draw to some extent on materials which I have collected during the last twenty years for a general history of Islamic mysticism.