31 January, 2026
My recommendation of an article in my last lesson has created some confusion. Please note that when I recommend something, there is a clear objective: here I wanted you to read how the author has refuted the notion that life‘s purpose should be the pursuit of happiness. I also pointed out that he is right on this count but is wrong in saying that the purpose is usefulness. If someone makes a good point, that doesn‘t mean that I endorse that person completely.
I recommend *The Alchemist* by Paulo Coelho. That is the only book I recommend, as his other books are useless and at times damaging. The lesson of today is the following rule: any knowledge coming from sources other than trustworthy ones (knowledge from the Quran, the Sunnah, and our Salaf; established scholars of Islam, etc.) should be very critically analyzed. Secondly, recommendation of some knowledge or wisdom of a person doesn‘t necessarily mean the endorsement of all of his ideas.
Take care, and I apologize for the confusion that my previous message created.