Islamic Faith In The Alchemist

In the Islamic faith they believe that there is no one greater than Allah. This idea has greatly impacted Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist. The main character, Santiago, goes all over Northern Africa in search of his personal legend, or his life goal. On his journey, Santiago must face many challenges and get in touch with the soul of the world; everything is connected. Santiago runs into many Islamic traditions and people and these things help him along his way. Although many religions, such as Hinduism, have an impact on The Alchemist, Islam has the greatest effect. One reason the Islamic faith has the greater effect on The Alchemist is that the crystal merchant practices the Islamic faith. First, according to Christie DeRoche’s, Five

First, according to the Muslim Students Association of IUPUI, Marriage in Islam, married Muslim women have very strict rules. For example, a married Muslim woman should not let strange men into the house without permission from the husband. A married Muslim woman also should not be alone with a strange man. She should also not receive gifts from a strange man without the consent of her husband (Muslim Students Association of IUPUI). Muslim women must live these rules out in their everyday life. This idea is shown in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho; Santiago meets a married Muslim woman and she does not talk to him because of her religion. He comes to the well and sees the lady with the black headdress and tries to ask her for advice, but the only advice she gives is to not talk to the married Muslim women (91-93). If it were not for the married Muslim lady Santiago would have never gone back to the well and met Fatima. Through modern married Muslim traditions and The Alchemist’s married woman at the well, the traditions stayed the same and have a great impact on the

According to Daisy Khan’s, The Five Pillars of Islam, “there is no god but God”. “La ilaha illallah. Muhammad Rasulullah.” This means: "There is no god but God, and Mohammed is a messenger of God." Muslims say it everyday in prayer (Khan). Muslims put their full faith in God and rely on him to guide them the right way. This is shown in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Santiago puts his full faith in God on the way to his personal legend and has no doubt that some things are signs from God. At the place in front of the pyramids where he is crying, he looks down and sees a scarab beetle. He knows that this is a sign from God and that he must begin digging. It was another omen, so he began to dig in the spot (160-161). If it were not for God and his path he set for Santiago, Santiago would have never met, seen, or found the things he does. Through Muslim beliefs and the beliefs during Santiago's journey, the only God, Allah, has a great impact on the book. Although many religions have an impact on The Alchemist, Islam has the greatest effect. First, the people who practice Islam must care for the needy, as shown by, Santiago’s experience with the crystal merchant. Second, married Muslim women have certain rules they must follow, as seen when Santiago encounters the married woman at the well and she helps him along his way. Finally, Muslims have one god,