The Alchemy of Happiness

The Alchemy of Happiness was a book written by Moḥammed al-Ghazali, a Persian theologian, philosopher, and prolific Sunni Muslim author regarded as one of the greatest systematic thinkers of Islam. The Alchemy of Happiness was written towards the end of his 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 about the role of philosophy and scholastic theology, and that Sufis became chastised for their neglect of the ritual obligations of Islam. Upon its release, the Alchemy of Happiness allowed al-Ghazali to considerably cut the tensions between the scholars and mystics. The Alchemy of Happiness emphasized importance of observing the ritual requirements of Islam, the actions that would lead to salvation, and avoidance of sin. The factor that set the Alchemy of Happiness apart from other theological works at the time was its mystical emphasis on self-discipline and asceticism.