The Alchemy of Happiness

The Alchemy of Happiness is a work of Islamic philosophy by Persian theologian, philosopher, mystic, and moralist Al-Ghazzali. Written around AD 1105, this was one of many works by the great man to help Muslims clarify which aspects of contemporary philosophy contradicted the faith, and which supported it.


In middle age, Al-Ghazzali was in the midst of a successful career as a well-known educator and guest at the court of a powerful vizier. Despite his accomplishments, he abandoned his lucrative posts in AD 1095 and disposed of his wealth, electing to live as an ascetic and mystic. He chose not to teach at state-sponsored schools anymore, opting for a life of seclusion and teaching at smaller, donation-supported schools.


He was considered one of the renewers of Islam, who are said to appear at the start of each century to cleanse the faith and keep it pure. This belief was supported by Al-Ghazzali's writing. He wrote over seventy works during his lifetime, with another twenty attributed to him but unconfirmed.


Near the beginning of the twelfth century, Al-Ghazzali wrote The Alchemy of Happiness. It is a shorter, Persian version of his previous work, The Revival of Religious Sciences, originally written in Arabic. It is one of his many works of Sufism, and is considered Al-Ghazzali's most important Persian writing.


The first four chapters of this book are commentary on the famous traditional saying from Muhammad: “He who knows himself knows God.”


In the first chapter, Al-Ghazzali explains the knowledge of the self. Each of us has attributes of animals, devils, and angels, he writes, and it is up to us to determine which are which. Rather than indulging in earthly pleasures that come to us from our more brutish instincts, we should strive toward our angelic selves, and “Contemplate the beauty of God.”


The second chapter is concerned with the knowledge of God. Starting from the premise that man did not make himself, and that everything mortal man needs has been provided from “the storehouse of creation,” we begin to become aware of God's mercy and love. The events of a lifetime, even illness and suffering, are designed to lead individuals to God.


In the next chapter, we learn about the world as it is. It is a place where we are put to prepare for our future journey-that is, to prepare for the afterlife. If we spend our time caring for our bodies and nourishing our souls through knowledge and love of God, we will be prepared for the next phase of our journeys to happiness.


The final step in the alchemy is the knowledge of the next world. Each man possesses two souls: an animal and an angelic soul. The animal soul emits from the heart, and powers the organs and limbs of the body. When that heart ceases to beat, the animal soul dies. The angelic soul is not tied to the body, so when the animal soul dies, the angelic soul is freed. If that soul was tied to earthly pleasures like money and family, it will suffer from the loss of them. But if the soul had a lesser connection to the world and a stronger connection to God, then it will rejoice and be at peace.


The remaining chapters of the book go into greater detail about religious life; exploring music, self-examination, and marriage as either aids or detractors to the work of the angelic soul.


The primary thesis of The Alchemy of Happiness is that a life of self-discipline and devotion to God is fundamental to the joy of living.


Al-Ghazzali's legacy was to bring Sufism, or Islamic mysticism, into the orthodoxy of Islam. He is considered by some to be the most important Muslim after the prophet Muhammad, and he was given the title “The Proof of Islam” during his life.