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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_knowledge, page : 26
realizing his position in relation to the Divine, has a mystical experience. Other
Sufis said that it comprises the knowledge of the meaning of sincerity and the
afflictions of the soul, as well as being able to distinguish between the followers
of Allah and the followers of satan. Others again said that it was the esoteric
science whose acquisition was required only of the qualified, select few, and
accordingly they dismissed the accepted meaning of the word in favor of its
esoteric connotation.
According to Abu Talib al-Makki, the meaning of the previously mentioned
Prophetic sayings is knowledge of the contents of tradition, which embodies the
foundations of Islam, referred to in the following words of the Prophet - may Allah
praise and venerate him - “Islam is built upon five pillars.” Since these five pillars
are ordinances imposed by Allah, it is necessary to know how to fulfill them. The
student therefore, should be absolutely certain that knowledge, as we have
already shown in the introduction to this book, is divided into the science of
practical religion and the science of revelations. The scope of this discussion is
confined to the science of practical religion.
Sufis said that it comprises the knowledge of the meaning of sincerity and the
afflictions of the soul, as well as being able to distinguish between the followers
of Allah and the followers of satan. Others again said that it was the esoteric
science whose acquisition was required only of the qualified, select few, and
accordingly they dismissed the accepted meaning of the word in favor of its
esoteric connotation.
According to Abu Talib al-Makki, the meaning of the previously mentioned
Prophetic sayings is knowledge of the contents of tradition, which embodies the
foundations of Islam, referred to in the following words of the Prophet - may Allah
praise and venerate him - “Islam is built upon five pillars.” Since these five pillars
are ordinances imposed by Allah, it is necessary to know how to fulfill them. The
student therefore, should be absolutely certain that knowledge, as we have
already shown in the introduction to this book, is divided into the science of
practical religion and the science of revelations. The scope of this discussion is
confined to the science of practical religion.