Istamti' bi hayatak (Enjoy your life), by Muhammad Al 'Arifi (Arabic Version)

I was sixteen years old when I had in my hands a book entitled “The Art of Human Relations? by Dale Carnegie. It was a wonderful book that I read several times.

The author suggests re-reading the book every month… I followed his instructions… I began to put his principles into practice in my dealings with people.

I found that it gave marvelous results. Carnegie sets out a principle that he follows through examples experienced by people of merit in his society: Roosevelt, Lincoln, Joseph, Mike...

I reflected and understood that the author was writing and advising from the perspective of worldly happiness. What if he knew about Islam and its good character traits? He would surely have acquired happiness in both abodes!

What if he used his relationship skills to draw closer to his Lord?

Then I found out that Carnegie had committed suicide. I was convinced that, despite its merit and distinction, his book had been of no use to him. So I searched our own history and found that the biography of the Messenger of Allah and his companions, as well as the events in the lives of outstanding men in our community, are more than enough for us.

From that moment, I threw myself into composing this book on the art of human relations. I conducted for twenty years...

Certainly, Allah the Most High has allowed me to write, so far, about twenty books, some of which have had a circulation of more than two million copies. Nevertheless, my favorite, dearest to my heart and most beneficial is – in my opinion – this book which I wrote with ink mixed with my blood… I spilled my soul between its lines and pressed my memories inside…

I have made it into words that come out of my heart towards that of the reader. I swear they emanate from my heart seeking to settle in yours. Have pity on them?! Great would be my joy to learn that a reader of these pages has put their content into practice. He will feel, as well as others, the development of his skills and will therefore be able to enjoy life better.

If in his or her hand he or she writes, with all my thanks, a message expressing sincerely and frankly his feelings, then sends it by post or sms to the author of these lines, I will be grateful to him for his kindness and will make invocations for him or her in his absence.

May Allah make these pages beneficial to the reader and make my efforts only for His noble face.

Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-Rahmân al-'Arîfî, Extract from the book Istamti' bi hayatak (French version)