In Addition...

In Addition, some people may be happy with that which does not ennoble man; they may be happy with that which hurts others; they may be worthless and flabby and they think they are happy. Yet good is unlike happiness, since its metal is this metal. It is a happiness dependent on the happiness of all people. It is the contentedness with the conditions of the body, mind, and con-science! Hence Ali increased the use of this word in his hot call upon whatever may elevate man’s dignity.

I have not found, in Ibn Abi Talib’s works, the word ‘happiness’ except one time. But he does not deviate from its meaning which he means away from the concept of good by what he loads it of its limits and meanings.

As for the phrase in which the word ‘happiness’ is mentioned, it is this: “of one’s happiness is to have a virtuous wife, faithful children, honou-rable brothers, righteous neighbours, and that his sustenance is in his country.” Look how he joins man’s happiness with that of his surrounding, his family,…