The average Muslim experiences stretches of increasing faith, knowledge and practice, as well as weak moments when the troubles of material life interrupt and divert our minds and activities. The key for the successful Muslim is being aware of influences that cause our weaknesses, and learning to eliminate them from our lives. 

“…there is a secret to guide you in this life - and that is to know the triviality of this world.” These are the words of Sheikh Aaidh ibn Abdullah Al-Qarni, a Saudi scholar and author of Don’t Be Sad, whose book is now available in English.

Not Just for Muslims
Al-Qarni states that he wrote Don’t Be Sad “for anyone who is living through pain and grief, or who has been afflicted with a hardship.” The cure for such a person can be found in the sources of the Qur’an and the sunnah (traditions of the Prophet, peace be upon him), as well as in the poetry, anecdotes, parables and true stories that the author uses to reinforce Islamic wisdom. Al-Qarni is clear to point out that this wisdom is not directed only to Muslims, but to “anyone who wants live a happy life.”

Live your life as though “your life’s span is but one day, as if you were born in it and will die at the end of it. With this attitude, you will not be caught between an obsession over the past, with all of its anxieties, and the hopes of the future, with all its uncertainty.” 

Wisdom from Many Sources
Developed as a reference and a sort of Islamic “how-to” guidebook, Don’t Be Sad is not intended as a cover-to-cover read. In fact, the translator, Faisal ibn Muhammad, warns the reader against that; instead, he says, “You should take it in doses, allowing yourself time to reflect on the seemingly simple, yet profoundly deep, wisdom written herein.”

Don’t Be Sad, while an Islamic book, employs, rather uncommonly, quotes and knowledge from many non-Muslim sources. Open the book to a random page, and the reader may find anecdotes from the author Robert Louis Stevenson and the French philosopher Montaigne alongside authentic ahadith (narrations of the Prophet, PBUH) and verses from the Qur’an. Al-Qarni reminds us that all humans were born with the same fitra, or innate knowledge of Allah. Some followed it towards Islam, and others were led astray. 

A Unique Method of Organization
This book has no chapters; rather, it follows a random organization somewhat like the thought patterns of the human being. Al-Qarni brings up topics and moves on to a new subject every page or two, returning to a previous topic several times in the subsequent pages.

He compares his methodology to that of the Qur’an, where themes reoccur consistently to serve as a reminder to the reader. Important themes discussed by Al-Qarni include: accepting pre-ordainment, prayer, contentment, patience, living in the moment, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and optimism. 

“Whatever has befallen you was not meant to escape you, and whatever has escaped you was not meant to befall you: If this belief were to be firmly ingrained in your heart, then all hardship and difficulty would become ease and comfort.”

“In this life, if you inwardly disparage something you can’t have, its value will diminish for you.  And if you are contented with not getting something that you really wanted, then your heart will find solace.”

Investment for the Soul in Times of Need
Taken as a resource in times of need, Don’t Be Sad is an invaluable investment. The Western reader may need patience to overlook spelling and format inconsistencies, and to adapt to the repetitious nature of the book, yet the translation quality is impressive. Overall, the English version of Don’t Be Sad is a treasury of Islamic and philosophical gems and a must-have for the non-Arabic reader.

“To melt into the personality of another, for whatever reason, is akin to suicide. And to imitate the natural traits of others is to deliver a deathblow to one’s own self…therefore, be comfortable with your inherent talents and abilities. Develop them, expand on them, and benefit from them.”  --Aaidh Al-Qarni in Don’t Be Sad

Don’t Be Sad
By Dr. Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House