The Alchemy of Happiness

The Alchemy of Happiness was a book written by Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ghazālī, a Persian theologian, philosopher, and prolific Sunni Muslim author regarded as one of the greatest systematic thinkers of Islam. The work 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 Alchemy apart from other theological works at the time was its mystical emphasis on self-discipline and asceticism. Ghazzali finally won acceptance for Sufism in Islam, and his methods of argument and analysis powerfully impressed the scholars of the West, who imitated him extensively.