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reader_rida 's review for:
The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
This is a self help book disguised as fiction. I enjoyed reading it even though I don't agree with all of the life lessons in it. For example the concept of 'Maktoob' - 'It is written' (fate) but it cannot be changed. I wholly disagree with it. If you look at it from an Islamic perspective (which is heavily present in the book), Maktoob can be changed if Allah wills, but the believer must also strive for that change because Allah makes it easy for those who work hard.
The lesson about listening to your heart also didn't sit well with me. I think the author confused 'intuition' with the reasoning of the heart. Although I agree that the heart speaks with our intuitions and emotions, it is important to keep the heart in check, and let the rational mind kick in before making any hasty decisions. The importance of the heart (Qalb) is at the point of convergence where humans can meet Allah. This interaction is multidimensional, encompassing both cognitive and moral dimensions. So it is not a simple matter of listening to your heart for everything.
I found that not all of my philosophical and spiritual ideas matched with the author's but I thoroughly enjoyed the book because of it. I think the reason it's disguised as a self help book is because it is meant to be taken light heartedly. Its best to not delve too much into its meaning but enjoy it for its spiritual pleasures.
The lesson about listening to your heart also didn't sit well with me. I think the author confused 'intuition' with the reasoning of the heart. Although I agree that the heart speaks with our intuitions and emotions, it is important to keep the heart in check, and let the rational mind kick in before making any hasty decisions. The importance of the heart (Qalb) is at the point of convergence where humans can meet Allah. This interaction is multidimensional, encompassing both cognitive and moral dimensions. So it is not a simple matter of listening to your heart for everything.
I found that not all of my philosophical and spiritual ideas matched with the author's but I thoroughly enjoyed the book because of it. I think the reason it's disguised as a self help book is because it is meant to be taken light heartedly. Its best to not delve too much into its meaning but enjoy it for its spiritual pleasures.