While I was checking my inbox this morning, I received an invite from Goodreads inviting everyone who had read Paulo Coelho’s bestseller, ‘The Alchemist’ to ask him any questions if any for a discussion group event to be held on April 2nd 2013, as you may know, this is the Goodreads version of another social network’s similarly titled but much more famous discussion group where they invite celebrities et al for a tête-à-tête with readers across the world, now the book itself is something I had read a long way back, and one of those books I had read cover to cover, though I had a few questions I could ask Coelho, I still wanted to refresh my memory regarding the book itself, so off I went to Wikipedia’s page for ‘The Alchemist’.
Of the many things I read, one thing caught my attention, the ‘The Alchemist’ itself was not Coelho’s first publication but his sixth and all of his previous books were failures, while this too appeared that it was going to tread the same path as the Alchemist’s first publisher, a local publishing house in Brazil, after having had very reasonable success with the book told Coelho in no uncertain terms that, that it was never going to sell, and that “he could make more money in the stock exchange”.
What Coelho did next is inspiring to all those Muslims wanting to bounce back and or reinvent, rediscover themselves.
"Whoever takes knowledge from books loses the regulations."
(man akhadha al-`ilma min al-kutubi Dayya`a al-aHkaama). [Reported by Nawawi in the introduction to "al-Majmu"]
Re: There's something about 40 - The 40 days of Paulo Coelho!
nice find Urban Turban, I've recommended this book to many people and the legend of the book remains true - everytime I bought a copy, i ended up giving it away to someone who may enjoy reading it, maybe benefit from it. It has some very spiritual themes, some shirk themes (related to divination) which get thrown out by Santiago later on in the book and a slight religious theme too...
.... As for the 40 days - I agree bro. I did my attempt at 40 days in jamaat but had to come back after 25 due to some health issues, even so, that time away from dunya related stuff and sticking purely on the deen has been of much benefit and highly recommended.
I don't think i'll partake in the web forum discussion though, not really my thing discussing novels at length with those who write them. If it had been a scholarly work and this opportunity had surfaced though, I think I would jump at the oppo
"Whoever takes knowledge from books loses the regulations."
(man akhadha al-`ilma min al-kutubi Dayya`a al-aHkaama). [Reported by Nawawi in the introduction to "al-Majmu"]
Re: There's something about 40 - The 40 days of Paulo Coelho!
format_quote Originally Posted by sister harb
What 40 means in the Christianity?
In Noah's day it rained for 40 days and nights.
The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years.
According to the Bible Moses spent 40 days on the mount Sinai to receive God's commandments.
Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, where he fasted and was tempted by Satan.
After his resurrection Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples before being taken into heaven.
Just to name a few ...
Apparently, the number 40 is mentioned 146 times in the Bible and usually points to or symbolizes trial and testing, or probation.
Re: There's something about 40 - The 40 days of Paulo Coelho!
in addition to all the above, some of which are also mentioned in Islam, the Prophet Muhammad pbuh was 40 yrs of age when he received the first revelation. That's all I can think of for now.
format_quote Originally Posted by Urban Turban
@Scimi, what I'll be writing next is even more interesting than this. I'm sure you gonna like it.
So why you making me wait I'm going through intellectual salivations here HELP ME, give me that metaphorical napkin and some brain food dude!!!!
"What would you like to be asked and what would be your answers to them?"
Message # 240.
Lets see if he responds to my...question. Would have to wait until Apr 2nd 2013.
Last edited by Urban Turban; 03-29-2013 at 12:29 PM.
Imam ash-Shafi`i said:
"Whoever takes knowledge from books loses the regulations."
(man akhadha al-`ilma min al-kutubi Dayya`a al-aHkaama). [Reported by Nawawi in the introduction to "al-Majmu"]
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There's something about 40 - The 40 days of Paulo Coelho!
I'm going through intellectual salivations here 
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