“Don’t be Sad”
(476 pages)
“You can be the Happiest Woman in the World: A Treasure Chest of Reminders”
(270 pages)
Aiadh Ibn Abdullah Al-Qarni
International Islamic Publishing House
Availability: “Don’t be Sad” Rs.800/- Darussalam, Tariq Road
By Laila Brence
“Be happy, at peace and joyful; and don’t be sad.”
A heavy load of responsibilities and increasingly less time for ourselves often leave us worn out and spiritually exhausted. Allah (swt) did not promise us a smooth and easy travel through life, for the life of this world is but a test through which we can prove ourselves worthy of the eternal abode with our Lord. However, Allah (swt) has given us excellent scholars, who can help us make our travel through life most pleasant and beneficent with their wisdom and great insights into the Quran and the Prophetic traditions. Al-Qarni is one such scholar, having the beautiful gift of being able to inspire people and fill their souls with the special radiance that comes from keeping eyes focused on the guidance of Allah (swt).
Aiadh Ibn Abdullah Al-Qarni was born in 1397 AH. In 1422 AH, he obtained his Doctor’s degree from Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. Al-Qarni has written on Hadeeth, Tafsir, Fiqh, Arabic literature, Sirah and biography as well as recorded more than 800 audiocassettes of Khutbahs, lessons, lectures and soirees. Originally written in Arabic, “Don’t be Sad” and “You can be the Happiest Woman in the World” are two of his books, which are now available also for the English readers.
In his introduction to “Don’t be Sad”, Al-Qarni says: “I wrote this book for anyone who is living through pain and grief or who has been afflicted with a hardship, a hardship that results in sadness and restless nights. For the cure, I have filled the pages of this book with dosages taken from various sources – the Quran, the Sunnah, poetry, poignant anecdotes, parables and true stories.” Although based on the true religion of Allah (swt), Al-Qarni’s “Don’t be Sad” speaks to both Muslims and non-Muslims, since the nature of sorrow and despair crosses the boundaries of faiths. It might be objectionable to some that along with the Quran and the Sunnah the author quotes also Eastern and Western thinkers, but he does so claiming that “wisdom is the goal of every believer, wherever he finds it.”
As the title suggests, “You can be the Happiest Woman in the World” is written for women – Muslim women in particular. “My sister,” Al-Qarni addresses his Muslim reader, “read this book to help you cleanse your mind of the clutter of illusions and devilish whispers and show you the way to a sense of tranquility, faith, joy and happiness. (…) I have presented this book as a treasure chest filled with beautiful ideas, with which you may adorn your life.” Happiness is a treasure every woman strives to find and hold onto when it is achieved. Al-Qarni’s recommendations in this book are designed to encourage the Muslim woman to rejoice in her religion and in the graces that Allah (swt) has bestowed upon her. Words of wisdom and practical advice from real life situations guide the readers of the book to the path of becoming the happiest women on earth.
Both Al-Qarni’s books are presented in an easy-to-grasp arrangement of chapters, each not longer than a page or two, which make a pleasant read. If at any time of the day you are looking for a dosage of inspiration or some soothing words of wisdom for your soul, take a cup of tea and relax for some minutes as you are reading through a chapter of “Don’t be Sad” or “You can be the Happiest Woman in the World.”
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