In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, the summary of his great work, Ihya Ulum ad-Din, he examines the concept of Following the Sunnah, in chapter 10. The key to happiness is following the Sunnah Itiba as-sunnah as-mifahu as-sa’ada We can write reams and reams on this topic and indeed there is a 5th century book called the ‘Key to Happiness’, Miftahu as-Sa’ada. It is a beautiful concept and great motto that the key to happiness is to follow the Prophet (peace be on him). Allah Almighty said: قُلۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تُحِبُّوۡنَ اللّٰهَ فَاتَّبِعُوۡنِىۡ يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَـكُمۡ ذُنُوۡبَكُمۡؕ​ وَاللّٰهُ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ‏ Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “If you ˹sincerely˺ love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (3:31) In this life and the afterlife, if we follow the Prophet (peace be on him) it brings us happiness and success, as he is our role model in everything. Whether it is how he entered and left, his movements and stillness, or the way he ate and drank, walked and slept, spoke, we have the blueprint of how to conduct every aspect of our lives. The words key to happiness instantly appeal to our hearts. In Arabic we say this is a very encouraging beginning. Ghazali is essentially saying that if you are searching for happiness, he will tell you how to achieve it. Indeed, he will even divulge some secrets, known as asrar in Arabic, the plural of sirr (secret). Though he states that he did not design this book to reveal his secrets, as that would take too long, he goes on to share 3 secrets which is very exciting! I will explain the first one. If you are feeling low – tired, … Continue reading Ghazali on why following the Sunnah is the key to happiness. Secrets: part 1