A Thinking Person's Guide to the Truly Happy Life
Author: H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad
Publisher: Turath Publishing
Year of Publication: 2018
Print Length: 122 pages
Genre: Islamic Studies / Quranic Studies, Science; Theology, Ethics and Philosophy; Hadith, Sunnah & Sirah; Non-Fiction / Religious Studies
Topic: Qur’an, Islam, Allah ﷻ, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Happiness, Hope, Trust, Giving, Ethics, Justice, Jihad, Tolerance, Culture & Society, Human Nature & Character, Humanity, Care, Community, Compassion, Family, Forgiveness, Sanctuary, Wellbeing
What is happiness? What is not happiness? How can one lead a truly happy life? What are the differences between happiness, joy, gladness, contentment and pleasure?
In this concise and easy-to-read book, noted philosopher and Islamic scholar, Prince Ghazi of Jordan, reviews the classical philosophical and religious answers to these questions and then shows Islam’s perspective on the issue based on the Qur’an and saying of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The answer is a surprising one to which everyone can relate.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Professor Sir Iain Torrance
Introduction
A Thinking Person’s Guides / Islam and the happy life / Content and structure of this work
Part One: LIFE
1. What is Not Life?
Human Life / True human life / False human life / The content of false human life / A choice between two kinds of human life
2. What is Life?
What is a quality? / What is the quality of life? / Human life / God’s vicegerents / God’s servants / The human condition
3. Why is Life?
The reason for the human beings’ existence / Righteous deeds and kindness to others
4. When is Life?
Is life always worth living? / Patience and steadfastness / Unbearable circumstances / Moral absolution / Moral responsibility
5. Where is life?
Sociology / The bases of society in the Qur’an
6. How is life?
How does life feel? / The trials of life / The meaning of the term ‘jihad’ / The two kinds of jihad: the ‘greatest jihad‘ and the ‘lesser jihad‘ / The components of the soul / The internal struggle within the soul / The ego / Constant vigilance
Part Two: HAPPINESS
1. What is Not Happiness
Enjoyment / Joy / Gladness / Contentment
2. What is Happiness?
Defining ‘happiness’ from the Qur’an / Classical definitions of happiness / Biblical and Christian portrayal of happiness / The Old Testament / The New Testament / The ‘pursuit of Happiness’
3. Why is Happiness?
Divine Bliss / Divine Beautitude / Paradise
4. When is Happiness?
Time-management / Time wastage
5. Where is Happiness?
The importance of justice / The ‘excellence’ of justice / What is justice? / The five fundamental rights / Other Trusts
6. How is Happiness?
To whom do we give? / What do we give? / The etiquette of giving / Mercy / Love
7. Who is Happy?
Happiness in the world? / The vision of the inner heart (fu’ad) / The spirit / Who is happy?
Summary and Conclusion
Summary / Conclusion
General Index
Index of Qur’anic Verses Cited
H.R.H Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad is a professor of Islamic philosophy with PhDs from Al-Azhar University and the University of Cambridge. He has held numerous official and nongovernmental positions in Jordan, including chief advisor for religious and cultural affairs to HM King Abdullah II. His projects include QuranicThought.com, GreatTafsirs.com, and FreeIslamicCalligraphy.com, which seek to make the jewels of Islamic civilization available to all at no cost.
Source: https://renovatio.zaytuna.edu/authors/ghazi-bin-muhammad-bin-talal
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