Those who deny the reality of the ecstasies and other spiritual experiences of the Sufis merely betray their own narrow-mindedness and shallow insight. -from "Concerning Music and Dancing" One of the great works of mystical religious literature, the Kimiya-i-Sa'adaat strove to bring man closer to understanding God by helping him understand himself. These excerpts from that work, by a strikingly original thinker on Islam who lived and wrote in the 11th century, were first published in 1910, and serve as a potent reminder of how powerful an influence Al-Ghazzali had upon religious philosophers of the Middle Ages, both Christian and Islamic. With its wise and warmly humanistic outlook, this little book may well foster a new measure of understanding in the current philosophical battle between the religious traditions of East and West. Also available from Cosimo Classics: Field's Shadows Cast Before and Jewish Legends of the Middle Ages. Iranian theologian AL-GHAZALI (1058-1111) was medieval Islam's most prominent scholar and philosopher. CLAUD FIELD is also author of Mystics and Saints of Islam, Heroes of Missionary Enterprise, and Persian Literature.

The 12th-century Islamic thinker Al Ghazzali began his career as a professor in Baghdad. Over time, however, he realized that philosophy, math, and science were inadequate to answer the spiritual questions that vexed him. He left his post and began a two-year search for truth. The Confessions of Al Ghazzali is his autobiography and the results of what he learned during his quest. In it, he argues that while philosophy and the sciences are necessary for solving earthly matters, only Sufism is capable of deciphering the ultimate mystery. This brief treatise, translated into English for the first time by Claud Field and published in 1909, is filled with illuminating analogies and clear explanations that will please the student of Islam and the academically curious. Islamic theologian, philosopher, and mystic ABOU HAMID MUHAMMED IBN MUHAMMAD AL GHAZZALI (1058-1111) is widely considered to be one of Islam's most preeminent scholars. A prolific writer, Al Ghazzali's works include treatises on theology, Sufism, philosophy, jurisprudence, and logic.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.