A Comparison of Mystical Stages in Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat (Alchemy of Happiness) and Abdullah Qutb's Makātib (Correspondence)

Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat (Alchemy of Happiness) by Abu Hamid Mohammad Al-Ghazali (c. 505 A.D.) and Makātib (Correspondence) by Abdullah Qutb (c. 909 A.D. ) are deemed to be among treasured works of Sufism. The present survey conducts a comparative-contrastive study of the perspectives held by these two mystics pertaining to the mystical stages presented in the aforementioned masterpieces. The results demonstrate that unlike some mystics, both Al-Ghazali and Abdullah Qutb did not partition and categorize mystical stages and statuses in their works. Moreover, Abdullah Qutb was influenced by Al-Ghazali in subjects such the pillars of conduct, solitude, trust, asceticism and mystical destitute. Taken together, Al-Ghazali presents his perspectives in a more systematic and coherent approach. It is noteworthy that Abdullah Qutb's Makātib (Correspondence) lacks the order and arrangement existing in Al-Ghazali’s Kimiya-yi Sa'ādat.The methodology of this research is descriptive – analytical and baced on library studies.