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An eye-opening guide that shows us how to create meaning in our daily lives and become intimates of God.
List of contents
Foreword
Preface
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
DIVE INTO LOVE, SEIZE HAPPINESS
1. Happiness as the Highest Goal
2. What is Happiness?
3. Happiness is a Matter of Meaning
4. Doing what is beautiful (Ihsan)
5. Conclusion (1): How to Achieve Happiness?
6. Conclusion (2): Humans were Born to be Happy
PART 2: LIFE IS AN ODYSSEY OF LOVE
7. Human Life: A Journey of Love
8. What is Love?
-Ibn 'Arabi: Of Love and Beauty
9. Allah the Lover
10. All Things are Signs of Love
11. Allah's Love, Human Love
12. Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), the Prophet of Love
13. Ties of Human Love
14. Marriage as a test of Ihsan
-Ibn Hazm: Various Types of Love
PART 3: Sources of Happiness
15. The Sanctity of Fitrah
16. Coming Closer to Allah
17. Becoming Accustomed to Dhikr Allah (Remembrance of Allah)
18. Manifesting Allah's Attributes
-Al-Ghazali: Reaching the Ultimate Happiness with Allah
19. Developing Contentment (Rida) [I]
20. Developing Contentment (Rida) [II]
-Ibn Miskawayh: The Order of Happiness
21. Being Grateful and Patient in Facing His Trails
22. Actualizing Noble Character Traits
23. Spreading Righteous Deeds
24. Subduing Egoism
25. Overcoming Our Addiction to Wealth
26. Towards a Life of Charity
27. Turning Work into Passion
-Al-Ghazali: Measuring the Levels of Worldly Love
About the Author
About the author
Haidar Bagir: HAIDAR Bagir is an influential Islamic scholar and spiritual master based in Indonesia. He earned his MA from Harvard University, and his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Indonesia. He has been listed among The 500 Most Influential Muslims by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre for several years in a row. He has written a number of popular books, his most recent being Learning to Live from Rumi.
Summary
“This practical book presents the inner depths of Sufi teachings in a way that is directly relevant to our constant efforts to reach for happiness.”—Professor Komaruddin Hidayat, Islamic scholar and bestselling author of Life’s Journey
“When we peer inside our souls and still cannot find happiness, we must dig even deeper. This book is like a whetstone that sharpens our abilities to uncover true happiness from within.”—Gobind Vashdev, spiritual teacher and bestselling author of Happiness Inside
“. . . mercy and compassion lie at the heart of the religious quest and this message is vitally important in our dangerously polarized world.”—Karen Armstrong, author of the bestselling books, Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time, Islam: A Short History, A History of God and Fields of Blood
“Islam, the Faith of Love and Happiness offers an antidote . . . by presenting the heart of Islam, the extent to which Islam, the Qur’an and Muhammad offer a message of love and happiness.”—John L. Esposito, Professor of Islamic Studies, Georgetown University
Through touching stories, humorous anecdotes, and profound insights into the spiritual realm that draw on sacred Islamic teachings, Dr. Haidar Bagir shines a brilliant light into the darkness that all too often overwhelms us. Consisting of twenty-nine short, inspirational chapters, this work will take you on a spiritual quest to overcome the maladies of your soul and help you experience true happiness.
Haidar Bagir is an influential Islamic scholar and spiritual master based in Indonesia. He earned his MA from Harvard University and his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Indonesia. He has been listed among the 500 Most Influential Muslims by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre for several years in a row. He has written a number of popular books, his most recent being Learning to Live from Rumi.
Foreword
Kube Publishing Ltd.
